Nobody likes to think about death, but it's something that we all will need to address at some point - either for ourselves or for others. When we get to that point, the funeral home will give you a choice of whether you'd like to choose a traditional funeral or a memorial service that usually accompanies cremation. While most will choose the traditional funeral service, there is a growing number of people who are turning to cremation as a way to lay their body to rest. Why?
It's Less Expensive
Considering the fact that cremation costs about a third of what a typical burial and funeral service does, it's little wonder why some people are choosing to be cremated. Whether that's to take the financial strain off of their family, or a sudden death has left the loved ones with few resources to spend on a burial plot, casket, body preparation, and funeral services, cremation makes good financial sense for many people.
It's More Flexible
Traditionally, funeral services are structured very similarly. The body is embalmed and stored for a few days while the family makes all the arrangements. Then, a funeral service takes place with family and friends - usually at the funeral home - and then the body is laid to rest at a graveside service.
Cremation, on the other hand, allows for a lot more flexibility with the way the person is remembered. Whether that means spreading the ashes over a certain area that is special to the deceased, having a memorial service at a remote location, or keeping the service limited to only a select group of people, cremation allows the family and friends to grieve in a way that is special, and unique, to them.
It's Environmentally-Friendly
Whether you are environmentally-conscious or not, there is a growing concern among many people that our cemeteries are becoming overcrowded. With government restrictions on where and how you can bury someone, it's getting harder and harder to find a spot that you can lay your loved one to rest.
Of course, another issue that many people have with burial is the fact that caskets don't biodegrade, and even if it does, the embalming fluid that has been used will seep into the ground and contaminate the earth. Cremation, on the other hand, returns the body back to the earth in a way that is friendly to both the environment and the loved ones they leave behind.
When my dad passed away, it was really a relief for our family. Although that might seem strange, he suffered with cancer for so long that we were really looking forward to him not being in pain anymore. We started thinking about everything we wanted to do for his funeral, but we didn't quite know where to start. After thinking about the prospect of his service, we finally decided it would be nice to choose a memorial that he would like. We worked with his friends and our extended family to create a great event, and I was amazed with how beautiful the service was.