Increasingly frustrated with dating apps, young people are more interested in meeting potential partners in real life, including at funerals and wakes.
A new survey suggests that younger generations are increasingly open to finding romantic connections in some of society’s most unexpected places, including cemeteries, funerals and memorial ceremonies.
The survey, conducted by dating platform Hily Dating App, found that most Gen Z and millennial singles would consider seeking a romantic relationship with someone you met while visiting a cemetery. According to the survey, 61% of Gen Z respondents and 71% of millennials said they would be willing to go out with a person they met at a place like this.
The findings reflect a broader shift among singles who are increasingly looking for opportunities to meet potential partners in person. Although traditional meeting places such as bars, restaurants and gymscontinue to be popular, research suggests that some singles are willing to expand their search for romance into more unconventional settings.
Funerals and memorial ceremonies also emerged as potential sites for connections. More than half of Gen Z respondents (55%) and nearly two-thirds of millennials (65%) said they would be willing to exchange contact information with someone they met at a funeral or memorial ceremony, with the possibility of arranging a future meeting.
The research also revealed that feelings of attraction at these events may be more common than many people realize. Among respondents who attended a funeral or memorial ceremony in adulthood, 29% of Gen Z attendees and 40% of millennials reported feeling physical attraction by someone they saw there. An even larger share of 51% of Gen Z and 61% of millennials said they noticed an attractive person at a funeral but chose not to show interest, says .
Attitudes towards flirting in these contexts also appear to be changing. According to the results, 41% of Gen Z youth and 52% of millennials believe that flirting at a funeral should be considered socially acceptable. 64% of Gen Z respondents and 71% of millennials said they would support a friend who met a romantic partner at a funeral or memorial service.
The research also highlighted the ongoing role of technology in modern relationships. Nearly a quarter of Gen Z respondents and a third of millennials said they would be willing to use a dating app while they are at a funeral.
While the findings may surprise many people, they point to changing social norms regarding relationships and where romantic liaisons can begin.
