Why Is Cremation Becoming More Popular in the US?
In 1960, only 3.6% of Americans chose cremation. The projected cremation rate for 2025 is astronomically higher at 63.3%. That’s a 1658.33% increase in the number of people choosing cremation over just 65 years.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association 2021 US cremation statistics, the projected cremation rate will continue to rise in the coming years. Over 69.4% of Americans expected to choose cremation in 2030 and 78.4% in 2040.
But what’s caused this dramatic rise in the popularity of cremation? Experts cite demographics and economic factors as the most significant elements, but they’re not the only ones.
Environmental concerns, fewer religious prohibitions, a growing preference for personalized and less traditional services, and our ability to prearrange our final needs are also contributing factors
1. The Cost of Cremation vs. Burial
While cost varies based on whether a service is planned and the type of service chosen, the average price for cremations is still much lower than the average funeral and burial service.
Decreased household discretionary income means many families do not have the finances to arrange and pay for a traditional funeral and burial service. In this light, cremation is viewed as a less expensive yet loving and respectful alternative.
2. Environmental Concerns
With the nation’s growing interest in sustainable environmental practices, concern over the impact of death and burial is also increasing. Some arguments against burial include:
Embalming
Embalming fluids are a mixture of formaldehyde, ethanol, methanol, and other organic solvents. In United States cemeteries, 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid are buried each year. Formaldehyde has been named a class 1 carcinogenic compound by the World Health Organization and has been linked to brain cancer and leukemia. In addition, it can leak from caskets, has been detected near streams near cemeteries and in the wastewater of funeral homes. Yet, contrary to popular belief, embalming is not generally required.
Land Scarcity
Large portions of land are used as cemeteries, which cannot be used to farm or build.
Unsustainable Material Use
Hardwood and metal caskets have a slow decomposition rate. As a result, roughly 30 million board feet (71,000 meter3) of casket wood is felled every year to keep up with American demand.
This doesn’t just include your standard pine box, either. The amount of steel used in caskets and vaults used yearly in North America is equivalent to the amount used in the Golden Gate Bridge. The amount of concrete used in vaults could build a highway from San Francisco to Poland.
While cremation is not a 100% green process, many people choose it over burial to reduce their land usage, preserve natural resources like hardwood, and avoid the chemicals associated with the embalming process.
3. Freedom and Flexibility
With families moving throughout the country, a single burial plot in their hometown cemetery makes less sense. A traditional burial also requires much more immediacy, which can be stressful to coordinate and heartbreaking to miss.
Cremation allows the family to schedule a memorial service around the availability of each member and provides more time for them to make travel arrangements. There are also more options for the memorial service because ashes can be buried, kept at home, or scattered in a meaningful location. Many unique ways to scatter and store ashes make the memorial much more personal and significant.
4. Prearrangement: People Choose It for Themselves
“If you’re reading this letter, my disease has run its course. Enclosed is some money for my burial. I would like to be cremated. I spent my whole life in a box. I don’t want to be buried in one.”
This letter, written by Queen Latifah’s character in the movie Last Holiday, expresses a highly personal sentiment. Prearrangement not only settles major questions for a grieving family but also allows an individual to ensure that their final wishes are followed.
Many people are simply opposed to the idea of burial for personal reasons. By prearranging a cremation, individuals can ensure that their wishes are met while placing minimal stress on the family they leave behind.
Plan Your Final Arrangement Needs in Advance
Experiencing a death in the family causes emotional turmoil. Trying to plan a loved one’s final arrangements can add even more stress and anxiety. However, knowing what a loved one wanted can prevent families from overpaying when grief can influence or negate the financial factors of final arrangements.
When you prearrange with National Cremation, you can lock in lower service costs and ensure that your final wishes are secure, relieving your family of the burden of planning after you have passed. They’ll have the comfort of knowing that they are doing exactly as you wanted and can grieve in peace, knowing that they are lovingly and respectfully letting you rest.
National Cremation is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of simple and affordable cremation services. Whether you have an immediate need or want to plan your cremation services in advance, we’re always available to assist you and your family. Contact us online or call (855)-469-9474 today.
