Cremation Blog

New ideas, concepts, and actions undergo an evolution before they attain a general cultural popularity. When a subject is uncomfortable to acknowledge or discuss, it remains in the background, almost in the realm of a taboo. As it begins to take hold in the mainstream, popular culture’s media avenues recognize it, perhaps mixing humor with the inappropriate or the macabre. And finally, it is discussed in a matter-of-fact manner, signifying the overall cultural acceptance of the idea, concept, or action.

Cremation is one such concept which has followed this natural arc toward a broader acceptance. Only a few decades ago, the fact individuals and families shied away from cremation was represented in the relatively low number of individuals who opted for cremation over a traditional burial. Any representation in media of the practice was typically a combination of antiquated and foreign, (e.g. Viking funerals).

Cremation has been an accepted practice for thousands of years in differing cultures and a popular means of final disposition in the U.S. for some time. And now, one group who largely opposed the practice is starting to come around. Though many Christians may believe cremation is an affront to their chosen religion, more of their kind are choosing it as their final rite of passage. In fact, the Catholic church lessened their restrictions against cremation decades ago, allowing it as an option for burial, though under a new set of restrictions. Now, other denominations are making accommodations for those in their flock who are choosing this traditional option. According to a recent news story, some churches are even inviting those in their congregation to choose cremation.

According to a story by the Philadelphia Inquirer, one pastor at a local Methodist church has noticed the trend and has opened a memorial garden where people can remember their loved ones, no matter which burial method they’ve chosen. Hopewell United Methodist Church, under the leadership of pastor Steve Morton, has recently opened a memorial garden and two columbaria to accommodate all members of his congregation, buried or otherwise. Speaking on this, Reverend Morton said, “The church has got to get in there with something sacred and beautiful.” Morton also said his church plans to open another 4 columbaria to accommodate the growing trend of those choosing cremation as a part of their end-of-life plans.

Throughout the years, different cultures have preferred different methods of burying and remembering their loved ones. The Norsemen, for instance, would often prepare savage and elaborate services to send the deceased into the afterlife. Some of these services involved cremating the remains, placing the ashes on a boat with gifts and offerings, then setting the ship on fire and sending it into the cold sea. Recently, a WWII veteran received similar treatment with help from the U.S. Coast Guard stationed at Atlantic City.

Andrew Haines, a WWII veteran who ended his tour and finished the rest of his life in Atlantic City, died in August at the age of 89. As a serviceman proud of his Viking heritage, Haines and his son arranged for a very special burial at sea. Officers with the Coast Guard say burials at sea aren’t unusual and, according to Atlantic City’s operations officer, the outfit alone performs about 7 burials at sea each month. What made Haines’ burial at sea different was its Norse roots.

Imagine being hauled off in a wicker coffin decorated with chicken eggs and then lowered into the ground to the smooth sounds of Elvis Presley. Now imagine the person in the casket is a 94-year-old noblewoman. It might be an odd thing to picture, but England’s Duchess of Devonshire, Deborah “Devo” Cavendish had a funeral that was exactly as described.

Far from being the stately and somber affair we’d expect from a British noble, the Duchess of Devonshire’s funeral speaks to the modern trend of funeral personalization, breaking from tradition, and embracing unique means of celebrating the life of an individual. Want to go out in grand style? Consider these tips when planning your modern funeral service.

Proponents of cremation have long extolled the virtues of this form of final disposition for a human body. Citing cost savings, ecological concerns, and increased flexibility for the family with regard to how and when to memorialize their loved one, the process of cremation has been steadily growing in popularity over the previous decades.

Any Google search of “cremation” over the last seven days, however, ties this end-of-life option to the viral scourge that only just crossed American shores: Ebola.

Cremation is a popular alternative for traditional burial services. Its popularity dates to the Greeks who practiced it as far back as 1,000 BC. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, cremation is rapidly becoming a widely accepted method of disposition all across North America. This trend continues to expand in almost all states with almost 50 percent of all funerals including cremation. It is estimated that approximately 37,000 cremations take place each year in Philadelphia as families seek more viable options for dealing with the death of a loved one.

Cremation: A Dignified and Affordable Choice

There are various reasons why families choose cremation instead of opting for a traditional burial. The primary reason given for deciding on cremation is that it offers an affordable alternative in a slow economy. The average cost of a traditional funeral and burial can range between $6000 and $10,000 or more. Cremation is much more affordable than a burial. A typical casket alone can cost as much as $2000. In contrast, a simple cremation with a basic memorial service only costs about $1,500. Many families choose to eliminate the memorial service, which lowers the cost significantly.

There has been a rising tide in the acceptance of the practice of cremation in Pennsylvania and across North America over the past several decades. In fact, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has long touted the fact that cremations in North America will exceed 55 percent of all final dispositions by the year 2025. There are many reasons why the acceptance of cremation has been on the rise, including an ever decreasing amount of land available for traditional burial.

In an interesting article out of South Korea, it appears the small nation is encountering many of the same factors we are experiencing here in North America that are hastening the acceptance of the once taboo practice of cremating a loved one.

In addition to a limited amount of land available for ground burials, the culture of South Korea has been rapidly changing from agrarian to urban, meaning prior practices of returning to the final resting place of loved ones on the anniversary of their death is less and less possible. The time for travel from the city to one’s home village has become untenable in modern day South Korea. It is estimated that one in six of the 14 million graves in South Korea are unable to be taken care of by family members. 

More Philadelphians are choosing cremation over burial due to the lower cost, convenience, and environmental benefits cremation provides. In fact, the Cremation Association of North America listed Pennsylvania as one of the Top 10 States for Cremation Growth. While the funeral industry has been plagued in the past by ambiguous costs and price gouging, the new wave of affordable cremation is lowering Philadelphia cremation costs and making services more transparent.