Cremation Information

Facts About Cremation

In the United States, Cremation is a rapidly growing alternative to traditional burial. Cremation is an increasingly popular choice among those with religious affiliations other than Christianity as well. Cremation has many perceived advantages including a simpler and less expensive ceremony, avoidance of gravesite maintenance costs, easier planning for the surviving family members, and more flexibility in commemorating the deceased. Cremation's rise in popularity can be traced back to North America's emergence as a modern industrial society with an increasing emphasis on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Can You Prepay for Cremation in Louisville

Some funeral homes do allow you to prepay for cremation services. You would need to check with the specific funeral home to see if they offer this option and what the procedures are. Generally, prepaying for a cremation service is a way to ensure that your loved ones do not have to worry about paying for the services at a difficult time. Many people choose to prepay for cremations because they want to make sure their loved ones don't have to worry about these details. It can also be a way to save money on funeral expenses since prepaid funerals often come with discounts.

What are the Options for Prepaid Cremation Services

Prepaid cremation services offer the convenience of paying in advance for your loved one's final arrangements. There are many different options available, including viewing and visitation packages, traditional prepaid plans as well as those that include a memorial service, or additional products such as urns or markers. Some people choose to have a memorial service after the cremation has taken place. This can be held in a funeral home, church, or other location. Alternatively, ashes can be scattered in a favorite spot or buried in a cemetery.

Direct cremation is the process of providing a funeral service that does not involve any form of embalming, casketing, or transportation. This type of service may be chosen by those who have decided against having their loved one's body displayed at their wake or viewing before cremation. It also can be useful for families with limited funds who want to cremate an individual without purchasing expensive urns and vases.

How Cremation is Becoming a Norm for Body Disposition

This is a question that can be answered in different ways. Different people may have different needs and preferences when it comes to cremation versus burial. There is no need for one choice to be better than the other since both choices come with unique benefits which make them more suitable depending on the situation.

In most cases, cremation allows loved ones to keep their deceased relatives closer to them compared to burying them under the ground or placing them at a cemetery. The ashes of the dead, after the cremation, can be kept in an urn and placed on display in your house or you can scatter some of it while some of it is buried while planting a tree over it as well. For instance, if you want to hold a funeral or a memorial service, burying the remains will help you keep the memory of the deceased alive while decorating their grave. On the other hand, cremation is suitable for people who want to save up on burial costs especially in cases where a person dies without making adequate preparations for their funeral.

Additionally, the number of cremations performed increased 5% in 2009 compared to 2008, according to data from the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). Additionally, over 50% of Americans are projected to be cremated when they die by 2017.  The initial spike in cremation rates correlated with the economic downturn that began in 2007-2008. With funeral costs rising at approximately double the rate of inflation since 2004, families struggling financially may view cremation as a cheaper alternative to more extensive services. Cremation was originally considered taboo within most American religious practices however, over time, cremation has gained mainstream acceptance.  While cremation services range in price, cremated remains cost less than 1/3 that of a traditional burial.  

Other Factors Fueling the Growth of Cremation Include the Following:

• Cremation is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, but it's a fairly common practice in other industrialized countries. For example, in the United Kingdom, nearly 70% of all deaths result in cremation.
• One reason is that it is seen as less frightening to children. They are less likely to be disturbed by the sight of a loved one's body being cremated than by the appearance of a casket being lowered into the ground.
• Cremated remains are easier to handle and transport, which is one of the reasons for the growth in cremation rates. In addition, cremated remains can be placed in a smaller urn or even scattered, which makes it a more versatile option than burial.
• Cremation is a more environmentally friendly choice than traditional burials because it doesn't require the use of ground space for burial, and cremated remains don't create an unhealthy environment for wildlife.
• Cremations are often scattered at sea or land to honor the individual's preference. It can also be an economical choice for families who want to hold onto some of their loved one's remains, so they don't have to pay for a separate service if they plan on having a ceremony in the future.
• One of the factors fueling the growth of cremation is that it allows the family to gather for a funeral reception without embalming. This is particularly important for families with religious objections to embalming.
• It allows for the same memorial service as a traditional burial, which many families find important. It's also more affordable than burial, and much more space-efficient, making it a more practical option for urbanites.
• People are choosing cremation more often because it is seen as more sanitary than a traditional burial. Cremation eliminates the need for a casket and prevents the decomposition of the body. It also leaves less of a carbon footprint than a traditional burial.
• One is the decreasing availability of cemetery space. As people continue to die at an increasing rate, it's becoming more difficult to find room in existing cemeteries for all the bodi