A TARDIS coffin is among a series of unusual requests received by Central England Co-operative’s Funeralcare.

The Co-operative Society has experienced a surge in demand for out of the ordinary send offs as more people look to have a greater say on planning and personalising their own funerals.

This shift towards personalisation has coincided with a rise in people opting to sign up to pre-paid funeral plans or to fill out a funeral wishes form to ensure they get the tailored send-off that they want – and ensure that the costs do not fall on their family following their death.

Some of the most original requests made in the last 12 months are:

• A Doctor Who Tardis coffin

• A parrot themed coffin

• Order of service stationery designed in the shape of a tractor for a farmer