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Savvy Senior: Cremation

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you help us with some questions about cremation? My husband and I are both in our late 70’s and have been thinking about seeing one of our local undertakers to make our funeral arrangements but want to first find out about cremation. We understand that cremation cost less than a standard burial does, but does it also cost us our option to have a funeral or a memorial?

Not Dead Yet

Dear Not,

Cremation can actually offer you more options than a standard funeral
and cemetery burial can, at a price that can save you thousands.
Here’s what you should know.

Cremation has been around for thousands of years dating all the way
back to the early Stone Age, around 3,000 B.C. Over the past 30 years
the cremation rate in the United States has increased dramatically
jumping from 6 percent in 1975, to more that 30 percent today, and by
2025 that number is expected to reach nearly 43 percent. In England
and Japan, where cemetery space is at a premium, the cremation rate
is over 70 and 90 percent.

Growing Trend

There are various reasons for the increased rate in cremation in the
U.S. (environmentally friendly, it uses less land, personal
preference), but the biggest reason is money. Cremation costs about a
third – depending on products and services – of what an average
funeral and cemetery burial would bring, which is around $6,500. You
should also know that almost all religions accept the practice of
cremation except Jewish Orthodox, Islamic, Eastern Orthodox and a few
fundamentalist Christian faiths.

More Options

Many people think that cremation limits your funeral options but it
actually gives you more choices. With cremation, you can still have a
funeral or memorial service of your choice, either with the body
before cremation or without the body after cremation. And, after the
cremation process there are options on what to do with the remains
which include: scattering, being kept by the family, placed in a
mausoleum or columbarium niche, or buried in a cemetery plot or on
your own property depending on local ordinances. Personal memorials
can also vary, but could include an urn, plaque, headstone, a simple
marker or nothing at all.

Savvy Tip: If you’re having a viewing or a funeral service before
cremation and want a casket, ask the funeral home if you can rent one
for a small fee.

Preplanning

To assure your final wishes are honored and to prevent your loved
ones from having to make decisions and arrangements at the time of
your death, you should choose a cremation provider (most funeral
homes provide cremation services) and prearrange your cremation and
funeral or memorial service. The prearrangements should also be noted
in your will and advance directive (if you have one), and be sure to
tell your family and clergy. Also note that preplanning doesn’t have
to include prepaying, so be very careful before you put any money
down. To help you locate a cremation provider in your area, look in
your local yellow pages under “cremation” or “funeral” or visit .

Savvy Resource

Funeral Consumers Alliance: A nonprofit consumer protection
organization that provides free publications on cremation and funeral
planning, and can answer all your cremation questions. They can also
put you in touch with your area memorial society who offers consumer
information and referrals to local cremation providers. Call
800-765-0107 or visit www.funerals.org.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman,
OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular
contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior"
book.