Earlier this year, a close friend of mine passed away. This sweet woman was incredibly unique. Besides adoring vintage clothing, she always had extremely short hair. After her death, her son wanted to plan a funeral service with her unique style in mind. So, he immediately started working with the helpful staff at a respected funeral home in our hometown. After relaying his desires to the professional employees at the funeral home, my friend’s son decided to omit a viewing on the night before the funeral. Instead, he had the funeral home staff bring his mother’s body to the church two hours before the funeral service. He also gave anyone who wanted to speak at the funeral service an opportunity. On this blog, I hope you will discover the wonderful ways the staff at a funeral home can help you plan a unique funeral for a loved one.
There is no right or wrong way to determine what happens to your body after you die. The choice is wholly personal. Cremation, however, is an increasingly popular option for those who wish to forego a traditional burial.
There are many reasons why someone might choose cremation and reasons why others may not. Here's what you need to know to make an informed decision about what is right for you or your loved one.
Pros of Cremation
While cost should not influence the decisions made after the death of a loved one, it often does. In fact, caskets are one of the biggest single expenses when saying goodbye to a loved one. Thankfully, cremation is usually less expensive than a traditional funeral with a burial in a casket. Some studies report that the base price of a funeral with burial in 2019 was $7,640, plus a cemetery plot. By comparison, the average cost of a cremation with a memorial service was just over $6,645. This difference in cost is due in part to the fact that there is no need to purchase a casket when opting for cremation.
Additionally, cremation gives families more flexibility when it comes to holding a memorial service. With traditional burials, the funeral typically takes a few days after death. This timeline doesn't work for everyone, and it can be difficult for out-of-town family members to arrange travel on short notice. With cremation, however, the memorial service can be held whenever is convenient for the family.
Once you have time to process your grief, you can scatter the ashes in a meaningful location, keep them in an urn, or even consider other options. This process can be done immediately after the cremation or at any time in the future.
Cons of Cremation
While cremation is not for everyone, it is important to note that some religions prohibit or discourage cremation. If you are part of one of these faiths, you may feel uncomfortable going against religious teachings and opting for cremation. Additionally, some people find the idea of cremation unappealing and difficult to explain to young children.
Cremation offers many benefits over traditional burial options, but it's not right for everyone. Carefully weigh the pros and cons before making your decision so that you can be sure you are choosing what is best for you or your loved one. Reach out to a local service, such as Simple Choices Inc., to learn more.
Share27 September 2022
