It is never easy to say goodbye to a loved one. During an emotional time like this, it can be hard to handle all of the logistics that end-of-life care requires. There are a lot of options to be considered, and it’s hard to find ones that will please everybody. One choice that is gaining prominence is cremation. In addition to being cost-effective, it offers several other benefits for modern families. Here are five facts about cremation that you might not have known:
Cremation is Environmentally-friendly
Cremation reduces bodies to biodegradable ash, which can make it a better choice for people looking for green burial options. Some places are pioneering even more eco-friendly methods of cremation by using alkaline hydrolysis.
A burial plot, on the other hand, requires the use of embalming fluids that will be in the ground, forever. Cemeteries have to be maintained and take up space that could otherwise be used for purposes that support the environment.
Cremation is Cost-effective
End-of-life care can get pricey quickly, but the cost of cremation is significantly lower than the cost of burial. Although funeral costs vary by provider and location, basic cremation services average just under $2,600, per Mic, while a typical funeral and interring can cost over $7,700. If you are looking for an option that allows you to honor your loved one but are worried about the financial aspect, cremation could be a good choice.
Cremation is Religion-independent
Many religions either permit or encourage cremation, making it a wise choice for mixed-denomination families. Additionally, since there is nothing inherently religious about the process, it is acceptable for secular mourners as well. According to the Funeral Source, the following faiths permit cremation:
- Ásatrú
- Buddhism
- Christianity (containing Baptist Church, Calvinism, Church of England, Church of Ireland, Church of Scotland, Church in Wales, Lutheranism, Methodism, Moravian Church, Roman Catholicism, Salvation Army, Scottish Episcopal Church)
- Hare Krishna (ISKCON)
- Hinduism
- Jainism
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Liberal Judaism
- Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Sikhs
- Society of Friends (Quakers)
- Unitarian Universalism.
Cremation is becoming more accepted.
Cremation Helps with Travel
Burial is permanent. Once you have placed the casket into the ground, it will remain the final resting place of your loved one. If you decide to move to a new city or country, you will no longer be able to visit him or her as easily. If other members of your family live far away, they will have to travel every time they wish to pay their respects, which isn’t always feasible.
Burial urns, however, are portable. It is easy to pack up cremains and take them with you, so you can continue to honor your loved one’s life without being tied to a particular geographic area. Different family members can keep the ashes at different times of the year, and it is even possible to make jewelry with them so you can carry your loved one wherever you go.
Cremation is Becoming More Popular
For all of the above reasons and more, cremation is growing in popularity. According to Mic, the cremation rate was 25 percent in 1999. In 2012, the cremation rate was 42.5 percent. By next year, that figure is poised to rise even higher, with roughly half of all families choosing this route. If this trend continues, within the next five years, cremation will supplant traditional burial as the country’s most popular end-of-life option.
Choosing an end-of-life care option is a personal decision that requires serious contemplation. For more information about cremation, please visit our website.
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The Neptune Society is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of affordable cremation services. Whether you have an immediate need or want to plan cremation services in advance, we are always available to assist you and your family.
Call 1-800-NEPTUNE (800-637-8863) today or contact us online to learn more.
