It’s never easy to contemplate the death of someone we love, but one of the best ways to celebrate the wonder of life is to prepare honestly for its end. In contemplating how to remember someone we love and honor their memory, there are some excellent reasons to consider cremation.
Cremation lets you make the choices
A traditional burial can be a hectic process. A burial has to happen not long after a person passes, and that can mean loved ones are most put upon when they are least able to deal with it. The first few days after a loved one dies are the most emotionally taxing, even if that death was expected, and there are dozens of things that must be taken care of immediately.
With a traditional burial, these are precisely the days when the family is forced to make all the decisions regarding the body and memorial. Because time is short, everyone involved has to plan trips and buy tickets without any consideration for what is cheapest or most convenient.
Cremation does away with all these restrictions, placing the family in the driver’s seat. The cremation can be done immediately at companies like Legacy Cremation Services, and then the family is free to plan services, memorials, or alternative ways to honor their loved one at the time (and in the way) that is best for them.
Cremation is good for the planet
Traditional burials are hard on the environment. Before bodies are buried, they must be embalmed and this involves using chemicals that are not environmentally friendly. Many caskets do not biodegrade, and many vaults and other structures are built from concrete.
Beyond this, there simply isn’t room in our world for the entire population to be buried in the manner that’s traditional around the West and other parts of the world. While there are people who feel strongly about burial for religious, cultural, or historic reasons, a slow cultural change in favor of cremation is a move we should encourage.
We need to be able to honor our loved ones with dignity while protecting our earth and the public health. To make it possible for us and our descendants to all do this, other solutions beyond traditional burials are going to become important in the future.
Cremation eases the financial burden on grieving families
Yet another reason for choosing cremation is the cost. While no one is suggesting that a beloved family member or friend is not worth spending money on, it is also true that the costs of traditional burials can run into the many thousands of dollars.
Cremation is consistently cheaper than a traditional burial, by as much as a sixth of the cost. With a cremation, it is not necessary to pay for such a large plot or for materials like a casket. If the family chooses to plan their own memorial services, the savings can be even greater.
Cremation allows you to really pay tribute to a loved one
The vast majority of adults believe it’s important to memorialize friends and loved ones when they pass. A memorial is important for honoring someone who is gone, but memorials are equally important in the healing process of those who are left.
Cremation allows you to pay tribute just as much. Perhaps your loved one was known for a strong and loving marriage. What better way to honor them than to scatter their ashes where they got married or where they first met their spouse? If the deceased spent every moment they could at sea, they would surely love the thought of having their ashes spread there.
Death is difficult, but cremation does offer some advantages in helping us deal with it, and can allow you to plan a farewell that will honor those who have gone on.
Have you considered cremation for yourself or loved ones?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
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