• Burials
• Cremations

NEED SOME GENERIC COPY ABOUT ‘WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU??’ – Phil Hopkins

Why A Burial?

Human burial practices are the manifestation of the human desire to demonstrate “respect for the dead”. Cultures vary in their mode of respect.

Among the reasons for this are:

• Burial can be seen as an attempt to bring closure to the deceased’s family and friends. Psychologists in some Western Judeo-Christian quarters, as well as the US funeral industry, claim that by interring a body away from plain view, the pain of losing a loved one can be lessened
• Many cultures believe in an afterlife. Burial is sometimes believed to be a necessary step for an individual to reach the afterlife
• Many religions prescribe a particular way to live, which includes customs relating to disposal of the dead

The reasons why people bury their loved ones are varied, but the reasons are often private and very meaningful to them.

How you want to be laid to rest is a personal decision. It is important to discuss your wishes with your family, and also know the preferences of your family members.

Why A Cremation?

The decision to cremate a loved one is a very personal decision.

Research has been done to try and understand the most common reasons people choose cremation:

• Migration to retirement locations is increasing. As families move around they are less likely to have family nearby to visit a grave site
• Cremation has become acceptable
• Environmental considerations are becoming more important. Growing public awareness of issues lead many to feel “land should be left for the living.”
• Ties to tradition are becoming weaker. Nationally, fewer people are choosing a traditional church ceremony and burial in the churchyard.
• Regional differences are diminishing. There is a national growing acceptance of cremation
• Religious restrictions are diminishing. For example, the Catholic Church lifted its cremation ban in 1963
• Greater flexibility in Memorialization services. Options for cremation services are almost limitless
• People are dying older and choosing cremation for themselves. It is no longer left to the family to decide

From what families tell us, the five primary reasons why cremation is chosen are as follows:

• Saves money. A cremation is cheaper than purchasing a grave and a headstone
• Saves land. Even if you choose to bury ashes, it takes about one-tenth of the land for up to two sets of cremated remains, compared to burying two people in one plot
• Simplifies decisions
• Body not in ground. Some like the environmental responsibility aspect while others simply do not welcome the idea of being “buried.”
• Personal Preference