Fifty years ago only one in 28 U.S. citizens was cremated. Today about 40% select cremation. There are a number of reasons for the change. Families are less traditional and not as likely to choose customary arrangements. Cremation also simplifies funeral planning and costs far less that arrangements which include cemetery burials.
Cremation Solves Time and Distance Problems
American families often decide on cremation because it fits into modern lifestyles better than classic arrangements. For instance, clients arranging Funerals in San Diego CA often live thousands of miles from parents and siblings and may even have different belief systems. There is no local pressure to conform to decades of traditions, so many customize funerals around cremation. Once bodies are cremated family members have time to travel long distances to attend funerals. When memorials are held in the deceased person’s hometown, it is easier and less expensive to ship cremains than bodies.
Funeral Planning Can Be More Creative
Cremation is often part of Funerals in San Diego CA when friends and family want the freedom to personalize memorials. They are not limited by time or location and often find creative, meaningful ways to dispose of ashes. It is common for survivors to arrange for direct cremation immediately after death and then spend time contacting all interested parties. Many families design elaborate celebrations of life and then have cremains scattered at sea, in parks, on private land or even from aircraft. Ashes have been sent into space and incorporated into diamonds, planted as trees and added to fireworks.
Beautiful Memorials Are Very Affordable
Even the most elaborate memorial that includes cremation is less expensive than a typical funeral involving cemetery burial. A fairly basic traditional funeral costs an average of $10,000. Expenses include funeral home charges, a plot and a headstone. In addition, expenses can vary widely depending on location. America’s most famous burial grounds charge $1,500 for simple plots. Mausoleums cost as much as $300,000. In contrast, basic cremations begin at under $1,000 and even the most elaborate rarely cost more than $3,000.
Today almost half of all U.S. funerals include cremation. The affordable choice simplifies funeral planning and makes it easier to design creative memorials.
