According to a recent NBC news report, 42% of 2011 funerals included cremations. In 1998, the rate was half of that. There is a combination of changes that account for the increase. Religious objections have softened, and cremation makes it easier for scattered families to arrange Funeral Services. Professionals like Sound Choice Cremations & Burials also help clients choose cremation options that cost much less than traditional arrangements.
Cremation Is a Problem Solver
At one time, funeral planning was pretty basic. Citizens were either buried in family-owned or local church plots. Today, relatives often live hundreds, or even thousands, of miles apart. That makes planning any get-together difficult. At the same time, religions like the Catholic Church now allow cremations. Clients who want direct cremations are especially likely to choose these specialists. Cremains are returned to clients who can easily ship ashes or hold onto them until everyone is available for a funeral.
Cremation Allows Creative Arrangements
Those who want their ashes scattered in meaningful places often pre-plan and pay for their own cremations. After deaths, family members just notify the funeral home and they handle all the details. In these cases, ashes are usually returned to families in generic containers, but mourners can buy urns. Some clients even arrange for embalming, visitations, and then cremation. It is also common for Funeral Services to include direct cremation and then a gathering, or celebration of life. Funeral businesses may also help customers plan by posting photos of gatherings or products on their company Facebook pages.
Cremation Is Very Affordable
Of all the benefits offered by cremation, the cost is the most impressive. A traditional funeral with burial averages around $6,500, not including the vault that cemeteries require. Those cost about $1,500 and up. In comparison, a simple, dignified cremation comes in under $800. Even adding the expense of a gathering, cremation generally costs less than $1,500. The least expensive option still includes transportation of the body, document processing, cremation container, temporary holder for cremains, and an online memorial.
The demand for cremations has increased dramatically as more people search for ways to arrange affordable, dignified funerals. Cremation provides that and allows families the time to design the arrangements they want without the urgency that burial requires.
