Funeral director Kimba Griffith still recalls the time she hosted a rave for a service, complete with smoke machines and a playlist by famous DJ Carl Cox.
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"Everyone was too sad to dance at first," she told AAP.
"But when they did, it was like something magical had happened."
Ms Griffith and co-founder Nastassia Jones started The Last Hurrah after deciding there was a gap to fill outside of traditional faith-based funeral customs.
Australians are branching out from established options in a trend towards reflecting the character of their loved ones, with unusual and elaborate funerals such as fireworks and sport-themed services.
An evolving conversation surrounding death has provided people the space to think more freely and creatively on how to say goodbye, according to Ms Griffith.
From a heavy metal performance in a bar to a new-age women's circle, the funeral service provider has seen her fair share of unique farewells.
"People often come to us because they don't want what they've seen at thousands of other funerals," Ms Griffith said.
"It doesn't have to be this crazy extravaganza to be meaningful, however.
"We offer people an authentic send off that feels like a reflection of the person that died - we never judge."
Almost two thirds of Australians over the age of 50 have attended a funeral that was more a celebration of the person's life than a mourning event, according to recent Australian Seniors figures.
Of that group, around three in four people believe traditional elements of funeral services are becoming less important.
Changing societal norms have encouraged more funerals that steer away from traditional death ceremonies tied to religious beliefs and practices, according to cultural anthropologist Hannah Gould.
The University of Melbourne researcher specialises in the study of death-related traditions and social customs both old and new, or what she refers to as "the stuff of death and death of stuff".
"I think the actual trend happening is personalisation," Dr Gould told AAP.
"Within that shift away from traditional funerals, people have found ways to be different in what is becoming less and less of a Christian country."
More than 50 per cent of the roughly 128,500 people that die each year across the country are cremated, according to Australian Museum estimates from 2021.
Craig Hull scattered the ashes of a friend high in the air during the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony in 2000.
"It got everywhere - on my hands and eyes," the former circus aerial performer told AAP.
"It was amazing though. There were lights around the stadium and everything felt like it was going in slow motion."
Mr Hull now runs Sydney-based fireworks funeral company Ashes to Ashes, allowing people to send off loved ones in a burst of flying colours.
"People never know what to expect. We've seen it a lot of times with different reactions," he said.
"It's a pretty good closing memory to take away instead of a box going into the ground.
"People rock up dressed in their favourite colours with a bottle of wine, some snacks, then sit around and relax and listen to music."
A team of trained professionals handle the memorial service from start to finish, including releasing the fireworks and mixing in the cremated ashes into the standard ingredients.
While the scattering of ashes is a longstanding tradition, Mary Cuthbertson of With the Wind believes its true purpose comes when loved ones don't have to do the releasing themselves.
"They can stand there and actually be present in the moment," she told AAP.
"People can say goodbye, reminisce and share stories, poems, or music."
The family-owned aerial drone business offers colourful ash releases by adding vibrant shades of powder used in the Hindu faith's Holi festival.
During the release, Ms Cuthbertson acts as a spotter for her partner Alex who remotely pilots the drone, making sure both the vehicle and the people around around it remain safe.
She recalls one unique service held on the coast just outside of Sydney, in honour of a major rugby league fan.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter was farewelled with a release of colourful smoke and ashes in the sky, as the team's anthem played in the background.
Australian Associated Press
