Cremation — What You Should Know
When asked about the type of funeral people have in mind for themselves or their loved ones there are mainly two choices: cremation or burial.
Over the last few decades, cremation has been experiencing a steady uptick of growth. Currently, nearly half of all funerals are cremations. By 2023, this number is expected to reach two thirds.
People tend to consider cremation the cheaper alternative, but that depends on whether or not services such as embalming, visitation times and a formal funeral service are desired. These trappings tend to be considered part of what is known as the ‘traditional funeral’ regardless of whether the final disposition is cremation or burial.
For many folks, cost is a very real consideration when arranging a funeral. The grand majority of us aren’t rich and arranging a funeral can throw a family into major debt to the tune of thousands of dollars. I don’t think I need to tell you, that can be devastating.
Recently, my mother died and I chose direct cremation. I saw no need to plan an elaborate service — all of my mother’s friends and workmates had predeceased her, and her surviving family consisted only of myself, my son and my husband and our preference was to grieve privately at home.
