When one thinks of burial methods, most are familiar with the concept of a casket burial or a cremation. Far fewer are familiar with the concept of “composting” a loved ones remains. As surprising as this concept may sound, it is a burial method that is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., in particular among those who want to select an eco-friendly approach to burial.
Families are spread out across the country
A burial plot in a single location may not be a good fit for families who are spread out in different cities across the country, or across the world. When the burial plot cannot be visited by all family members, this option can lose significance for families who do not all reside in a single location. When a family chooses cremation, they can choose to split the ashes among multiple urns so that each family member can keep some of the ashes, or scatter some of the ashes in a place of significance.
Cremation provides more flexibility for memorialization
Choosing cremation gives you the flexibility to plan your loved one’s memorial service or celebration of life at any time and in any place you’d like. If a casket is not present, there is no need to gather in a traditional, somber funeral home environment. Rather, you can gather your family and friends together in a more uplifting environment, or a place that holds special significance for your loved one and your family. Lighten has helped families gather in theaters, museums, restaurants, and beautiful outdoor locations.
Additionally, families who choose cremation have more time to plan a memorial gathering when they are ready. Traditional casket burials typically must take place within a week or so after a loved one’s passing. This can be a short and overwhelming timeline for families to work within to prepare a ceremony and gather their family and friends together. After a loved one is cremated, there is no immediate need to bury or scatter the ashes. This means families can take the time they need to plan a burial and/or memorial gathering. Some families still choose to hold a memorial gathering soon after their loved one’s passing. Others wait until they are emotionally ready or until they have had sufficient time to prepare. Still others wait for a special date of significance, such as a loved one’s birthday.
Cremation is more affordable than a traditional casket burial
Cremation is a more affordable option than a traditional casket burial. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of a casket funeral in the U.S. (including gathering, burial, and burial vault) is $9,420. The median cost of a cremation funeral in the U.S. (including gathering and cremation, but with no casket) is $5,660. A direct cremation (a simple cremation completed before embalming, viewing, or memorialization) can often be completed for near the $1,000 price point. Pricing often varies somewhat from one state to another, and one city to another.
Cremation is more environmentally friendly than a traditional casket burial
While nearly all burial methods have some environmental impact, the environmental toll of cremation is often considered to be less than the environmental toll of a traditional casket burial. The statistics can be surprising. A traditional casket burial often requires embalming, a process that uses toxic chemicals to preserve the body for viewing. As a result of burial, over 800,000 gallons of formaldehyde are put into the ground in the U.S. each year. Additionally, each year traditional burials use 30M board feet of hardwoods – this is equal to 4M acres of forest. Traditional burials also annually use 2,700 tons of copper and bronze, 104,272 tons of steel, and 1.6M tons of reinforced concrete. While the cremation process does have a carbon emissions impact, its total environmental footprint is smaller than that of a traditional casket burial.
If you are considering cremation, the Lighten team can assist you with understanding your options. We are here to help however we can.
