By Hal Stevens
1. People are enjoying a longer life (the average life expectancy for men is 73.3, and for females, 79.6). This sets aside additional time for pre-planning of funerals and complex decision making. The more time that is made available the more time that people have to thoroughly consider all of the options.
It's important for you to know that the most valid reason for choosing cremation is your reason. You don't owe anyone -- not me, your funeral director, or your minister, priest or rabbi -- any explanation whatsoever. College graduates are more likely to consider cremation than someone with a high school education or a high school dropout. Wealthy people view cremation as a viable disposition option whereas people who have little (or no) disposable income tend to choose burial for their dead. There is not particular reason for this but it is the trend. Soon it is expected that people of all socioeconomic backgrounds will join the movement towards cremation.
2. More people are moving further from their original homes. This leaves fewer people behind to tend to family graves. Taking care of cemetery property is now considered a burden that most people don't want to worry about.
For numerous reasons, families are splitting up across the country. Mom and dad may have their roots planted in one area and their grown children have relocated. It is very common nowadays for families to be split. This makes taking care of graves a very difficult, if not impossible task. For these people cremation is starting to look more like a viable option. It can be an uneasy thought to consider mom and dad's grave left unattended for sometimes even years because the kids have all relocated. Cremation, in conjunction with scattering the ashes or keeping them is much more attractive to many.
3. The idea of cremation becoming more "acceptable" and more religious groups are changing their stance on the subject—giving an increased number of people the freedom to explore cremation as an option.
People who believe that the Bible (or any sacred textbook) is the literal word of God will almost universally choose burial over cremation. People who consider themselves "spiritual" or "other" on census forms or public polls will strongly consider cremation when a death occurs. There has been a curve in traditional thinking about this. Religious groups are becoming more receptive to cremation and the "ashes to ashes" concept that man evolved from dust and to dust he will return.
4. People are becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of the traditional cemetery, ranging from taking up land-space to chemicals released into the earth and the ecological impact of using trees and other natural resources for burial.
No one can deny the fact that cremation is becoming a well-liked choice to burial. Furthermore, more funeral homes and cemeteries are joining the movement of "green burials" which never use unsafe chemicals in preparing the body. Many use eco-friendly caskets. This is a huge motivator for many people in the increasing attempt to stabilize the planet.
Hal Stevens owns the CemeterySpot family of websites that provide products, services and resource directories related to end of life topics. Services include the CemeterySpot FREE Online Memorial Listing Service and the CemeterySpot FREE Cemetery Property Listing Service. Hal is also the author of several critically acclaimed eBooks specifically written to help people deal with end of life issues. His eBooks include topics such as: cremation, writing and delivering a eulogy, eco-friendly green funerals, funeral planning, organ donation, and buying and selling cemetery plots. To find out more about these free services and resources, to learn more about his books, and to get a free gift, visit http://www.cemeteryspot.com.
Source:www.isnare.com |
