Increasing Popularity of Cremation
In 2006, 34% of deaths used cremation as the final disposition option. This compares to 1% of all deaths a hundred years ago. The rate of cremation in the US continues to climb and is expected to reach 52% in 2025.
What are the factors that contribute to this trend?
- More religions are accepting of cremation.
- Many people do not feel the need to preserve their body.
- Many people view cremation as the most efficient method to handle remains.
- Some people dislike the idea of being buried under ground.
- Economic hardships create a need for less expensive disposition.
- Cremation is very simple, especially “direct cremation” in which the body goes directly to the crematorium without embalming and viewing.
- Society is becoming increasingly less traditional.
- Individuals are increasingly planning their own disposition.
- People are increasingly individualizing their memorials.
- Cremation removes the time constraint of full-body burial because cremated ashes do not decompose.
- Cremation allows remains to be easily and inexpensively transported to a remote location.
- Fewer people have spaces reserved in family burial plots.
- Environmental awareness has raised concerns about full body burial regarding pollution and land use.
- Crematoriums are heavily regulated by the EPA and used technology to considerably reduce emissions to protect the environment.
- More burial grounds are offering columbarium niches, ground niches, and scattering gardens for cremated ashes.
Possibly one of the most important factors in this trend is the social affirmation. Cremation becomes more acceptable as more people choose it. Basically, people know that others have researched cremation prior to choosing it. People may also factor that society finds cremation acceptable.
Lisa S.
November 28, 2008
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