What is Really Driving the Rising Cremation Rate

Is the rising cremation rate really being driven by economic situations or is it lack of value placed on the funeral service? The honest answer is probably a combination of multiple things; economics, lack of value in the funeral service, preference, geographical location, and the list could go on.

I have had many conversations with funeral professionals across the United States over the last few months and the most common complaint I hear is that families are coming in and they just want to get everything over with as soon as possible. Whatever is quick and easiest. Not that they don’t have money for a traditional funeral, but that they don’t have the time.

The NY Times ran an article last week about cremation and how in a tough economy cremation is a way to save money. As I started reading the article one quote from a family that was interviewed really jumped out at me right off the bat;

“Neither one of us felt that the body itself was really all that important,” said Mr. Kelly, who raised two sons with his wife during their 28-year marriage. “We had no interest in being put in the ground, no need for a memorial for the whole world to see. Her concern was the financial devastation she was bringing to the family.” Read the full article

The body not important? No need for a memorial service? Financial devastation? In a time when is seems like the American way is to buy what we don’t need and spend what we don’t have, I wonder why money and time become such concerns when it comes to honoring our deceased loved ones? Why is there no value placed here?

What are your thoughts, why is cremation on the rise in your area? Are you seeing more families who just don’t have the time or see the value in a traditional funeral?