Cremation is the preferred choice for 3 out of 4 funerals.

Current figures suggest that cremations account for around 75% of funerals in the UK. Compared to a rate of 35% in the 1960s this is a huge increase.
There is a perception that cremation is a more socially responsible option as our population grows and land for burial runs out. Cremation is also generally less expensive than burial as there are fewer later costs such as purchasing a headstone. The average crematoria fee in England is between £500 and £800 plus around £150 for the signature of two doctors.
Many crematoria have a repository where ashes can be securely stored for an annual fee.
There are now more than 240 crematoria in the UK. Although the number of crematoria has increased, with demand, there are still critics who feel that there is a ‘production line’ feel to modern cremations. The ceremony time is generally between 20 and 30 minutes in busy crematoria and with the next group of mourners waiting outside the door it can feel hurried and impersonal. One way to combat this problem is to have a service separately from the one held at the crematorium – allowing more time to pay tribute to the deceased before the actual committal.

Jewellery on the deceased can not be recovered after cremation.

There is now a growing interest in Direct Cremation where there is no service at all in the crematoria. It provides a ‘no-frills’, basic disposal service for around £1000. This covers collection of the body, storage, cremation and the collection of the ashes – you can arrange to have these returned to you or have them scattered by the funeral director.
This is a decision which requires careful consideration, although it saves money some families feel, afterwards, that they lost an opportunity to mourn their loved one. You can still, of course, choose have a memorial ceremony, the only difference being that the body will not be present. This allows greater freedom of choice of venue for the service and control of the cost.

The cremation rate in Japan is 95%.

One of the advantages of cremation is greater choice, for families, of when and where to place the ashes or remains.

A burial can feel very immediate but with cremation there is no need to hurry to disperse the ashes after cremation – many people choose to keep the ashes of their spouse or partner as a source of comfort or to be scattered with them when the time comes.

Others opt for cremation so that their ashes can be scattered in a place of special significance as, often, burial in that place is not possible. Please note that you should always seek the land owners permission before dispersing the ashes.

Cremation has it’s supporters and it’s critics but unless an alternative becomes viable it looks as though rates will continue to increase over the next 50 years.

funeral magazine would love to hear from you if you have any unusual ideas about where you would like to have your ashes scattered.