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Choosing Cremation
Because of the dramatic increase in cremation throughout North America, particularly over the past 10 years, a number of studies have been conducted by industry associations, manufactures and other interested parties to gain a greater insight into the cremation market and a better understanding of cremation consumers. One of the primary areas of research has been to determine why consumers are choosing cremation. Following are some of the reasons commonly cited:
To fulfill the wishes of a loved one
Quite often individuals who wish to be cremated ensure their final wishes are well known, either by preplanning, including instructions in their Will or telling a spouse or child. Rarely is a loved one's wishes revised or ignored. This is particularly true when direct cremation is chosen, as evidenced by the phrase "at (name of deceased) request cremation has taken place" which often appears in the funeral notice.
To lower the financial burden
Because there are many different options from which to choose, the choice to cremate to reduce is perceived to be less expensive. Because of this, some people will choose cremation to reduce the financial burden on family members. The premise that cremation is less expensive may not always be true, especially when cremation follows a traditional service with viewing and visitation. However, considerable savings can be realized with direct or immediate cremation followed by a memorial service and scattering. The latter alternative eliminates the need to purchase a casket, cemetery plot and other funeral and burial services.
Environmental considerations
Increasingly, people are making choices or decisions with the environment in mind. For them, cremation becomes the perfect alternative. It uses less land, it is cleaner and protects our forests, when a rental casket or direct cremation is chosen. Manufactures are also developing new environmental products such as cremation caskets and containers built with composite materials and fewer metal parts, making the cremation more efficient while burning less fuel.
Simpler, less emotional, more convenient
For some, cremation is perceived to be simpler, less emotional and more convenient. The elimination of the preparation and viewing of the deceased and placing an urn in a reposing room during visitation will certainly ease the emotions an open casket will evoke. An urn is much easier and more convenient to handle than a casket and can be stored for many months while awaiting final disposition.
Preference for Scattering
Although scattering is an irreversible act, it provides for the disposition of the cremated remains in a non-traditional way. In choosing a scattering location, the deceased or family will usually select a place where the deceased spent a great deal of time or was a source of enjoyment or happy memories. A favorite fishing hole, a garden or walking trail or at sea are just some of the many places chosen. For some, scattering becomes a symbol of freedom, peace, adventure, contentment or simply a rite of passage.
Fear of entombment or burial
Even in death people's fears or phobias emerge. For some the thought of having their body buried or entombed is unbearable. Cremation then becomes a welcome alternative.
Religious reasons
There are countries in the world such as Japan and India whose people practice cremation as a religious custom. There are religions, which strictly forbid it. For Christians cremation is permitted and some churches have even designed liturgy to accommodate the practice during the funeral and committal services.
Preference not to be viewed or on display
While most people do not mind their remains being viewed or placed on display, others are adamantly opposed. Again cremation becomes a viable alternative with the urn placed in the reposing room during visitation and transferred to the church or chapel for the funeral services.
More "natural" than burial
During a committal service at graveside the clergy will say "… and we commit the body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust". It is a Christian's belief that our earthly remains will go back to the earth from whence it came. Therefore, cremation is considered by some to be more a "natural" process as the deterioration of the remains is quickened by the intense heat of the retort.
Projections
The cremation rate in North America is increasing annually. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) projects the Canadian cremation rate is expected to reach over 47 per cent by 2010. In the U.S. a rate of just over 36% is predicted by 2010, and if current rate increases continue, a rate of 50 per cent will be reached by 2021.
CANA's statisticians believe that once a country exceeds a 75 per cent cremation rate, it will conform to historical trends, which indicate there will be little if any increases in future years. Except for Japan and India, no country has cremated more than 76 per cent of its deceased citizens.
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