5 Reasons for the Increasing Adoption of Cremation over Burial

A video report by TIME filmmaker Shaul Schwarz shows a steep increase in the number of people choosing cremation over burial, to bid farewell to their loved ones. The cremation rate, that used to be about 25 percent in 1999, is projected to double by the turn of 2017. The shift is attributable to several philosophical, social, environmental and technological reasons. In addition, scarcity of land - a growing concern in all developed countries - is one of the biggest factors driving the change. Taking the discussion further, let’s look at some of the benefits of cremation, which are making people choose it over burial.

1. Cost Effective

Cremation is one of the cheapest forms of human interment. The cost of cremation is much less as compared to the cost of burial, that includes cost of coffin, plot, burial, memorial and other expenses. Typically, the cost of cremation is one-sixth the cost of burial.

2. Convenience

Funerals are stressful for the loved ones of a deceased. The rush of conducting a memorial service at the time of funeral can make it even more stressful. Cremations, however, give the loved ones the time and liberty to conduct the memorial ceremonies later using the cremation remains.

3. Portable Remains

One of the benefits of cremation is that one can carry the remains wherever they go. It gives them the flexibility to plan a ceremony in any part of the country depending upon where most of the loved ones or family members live. The remains can be stored in beautiful urns that are available online and local urn stores.

4. Environment-Friendly

Cremation is an eco-friendly process that prevents the release of the toxins into the Earth.  Before burying the dead, several toxic chemicals are applied to the corpse to prevent the body from decaying. These chemicals being toxic in nature, pollute the environment. Cremation, however, does not require the body to be embalmed and is, therefore, considered more eco-friendly.

5. Energy and Resource Efficient

Cremation does not require a lot of energy. It also helps conserve land and other resources such as caskets and chemicals. It simply involves cremating the body and scattering the remains in a memorial park. Alternatively, one can also store the remains in beautiful urns or cremation jewelry.

Wrap Up

Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, but the fact remains the same that death is an inevitable reality of life, and there is nothing one can do to change it. One can, however, keep the memories of their loved ones alive by preserving their cremation remains in a cremation urn. If you have recently lost a loved one and are looking for a cremation urn online to preserve their memories forever, take a look at our extensive line of funeral and cremation urns.