Why Choose Cremation

Those who choose cremation (for themselves or others) often hold the belief that it is better to honor the memory of the person, not the dead body. In the United States in 1972, only five percent chose cremation. That number had quintupled by 1999 with over 25% choosing cremation.  In Canada, the rate is already over 42%; in Great Britain, 71%; and over 98% in Japan.

Cremation Costs are Only One Reason

Given the religious, ethnic, and regional diversity among us, there are many other reasons for the dramatic rise in the number of cremations performed each year. According to Tyler Mathisen of NBC, one of those reasons "is the softening of the Catholic church's views of the practice. For centuries – until 1963, in fact – the church outlawed it. The church's laws still express a preference for burial. But the outright ban is a thing of the past."  

He goes on to tell readers that the decline in nuclear families is another reason. "As more Americans live far from hometowns and parents, and as family burial plots have waned in popularity and accessibility, millions have turned to cremation as a practical and cost-effective way to care for a loved one's remains."

Cremation also allows a family the flexibility they may need in planning and preparing for a memorial service, celebration-of-life, or a scattering ceremony. While the cremation process can occur almost immediately (once all the proper paperwork is complete), the decisions required in planning a meaningful memorial for a loved one can be made in a relaxed, rational way.

You can also be sure that concern for the environment ranks high among many who choose cremation. Casketed and embalmed remains take up cemetery space and can pollute the ground water but many still question the amount of atmospheric pollution created by the cremation process.

Many people believe that a cremated body becomes one with nature more quickly.

Cremation is traditional in your family, religious group, or geographical area.

You have environmental concerns.

Perhaps you are worried about the use of valuable land for cemetery space or believe it is wrong to fill the ground with materials that won't erode ... metal coffins and concrete vaults.

You want to keep the costs down.

Selecting cremation does not mean, however, that you will have an inexpensive funeral.  You may choose a more elaborate casket, a viewing, or decide to have the cremated remains buried in the ground or placed in a columbarium.  These choices can increase the cost to those of a traditional funeral.

Who will do the cremation (a funeral home or a firm that specializes in direct cremation).

Whether to use an urn or container.

What to do with the remains.

Most jurisdictions have laws prohibiting the scattering of remains; others require a permit. Ask your funeral director.