THEY say you can't take it with you.

But, it seems, more and more people in Dorset are doing just that. From fishing rods to flag poles, football shirts to beer and even a Chinese takeaway, we're adding all manner of stuff to our coffins to accompany us on our final journey.

Weymouth Co-op Funeralcare said Dorset residents were increasingly turning their backs on traditional religious funeral services, opting instead for diverse and sometimes eccentric celebrations of life.

Research conducted by the company shows that while nearly half of us haven't given our funeral much or even 'very little' consideration, a fifth have already made decisions about what they would want placed inside their coffin when their time does come.

Almost half 49 per cent would choose photographs, over a quarter 27 per cent would want a teddy bear and over a fifth 22 per cent would choose jewellery.

a fifth of us would opt for letters, over a tenth would choose a book and a further 12 per cent would want a bottle of their favourite tipple.

And British humour rings true as a sixth of people anticipate a great escape, opting for torches and mobile phones within their coffins. Others wanted an alarm button.

Dawn Cheeseman, Funeral Director at Co-op Weymouth, said: “Placing items inside coffins dates back centuries, but what we’re seeing now is a shift in more people choosing exactly which personal items they want to be buried with.

“Sometimes, those items are sentimental to the deceased such as love letters, photographs and wedding rings. Others choose eccentric items specifically to make people laugh such as a Chinese takeaway… it can be a real talking point and put a smile on the faces of loved ones left behind.”

Here are the most unusual things that Dorset people have asked to be placed inside coffins.

1. Bow and arrow

2. Violin

3. Vintage football shirts

4. Books

5. Fishing rod

6. Flag on a pole

7. USB stick

8. Beer