CREMATION OPTIONS

Cremation services-A federal appeals court upheld an Oklahoma law that allows only licensed funeral directors to sell caskets. The decision b the Denver based court upholds the December 2002 ruling of a federal judge in Oklahoma and sets the stage for a Supreme Court to decide whether states can regulate casket stores, internet sellers and other third-party retailers from selling caskets. In the August 23rd ruling the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied arguments from opponents that the law is too stringent and creates a casket monopoly that forces higher prices. The decision conflicts with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court’s ruling handed down in December 2002 which sided with casket dealers who had challenged a decades-old Tennessee law that said only licensed funeral directors can sell caskets. The 3-0 decision by the 6th Circuit Court said there was “no evidence in the record that licensed funeral directors were selling caskets that were systematically more protective then those sold by independent casket retailers.” “In fact, restricting sales of caskets to licensed funeral directors would seem to have an adverse effect on the quality of caskets,” the judges said. “The licensing requirement does not require consumers to choose more protective caskets or funeral directors to recommend them.” The judges added that the only difference between the caskets sold by the licensed funeral directors and those sold by casket retailers was that those sold by casket retailers was that those sold by the funeral directors were systematically more expensive.” In December 2002, United States District Judge Stephen P. Friot for the Western District of Oklahoma upheld the Oklahoma law restricting casket sales to licensed funeral establishments and funeral directors. Ironically, the plaintiffs in both cases were represented by the Institute for Justice, a Washington, D.C. based self proclaimed “merry band of litigators.” Friot ruled against claims that the law creates a casket cartel, driving up costs and taking away a consumer’s right to search for the best deal. Kim Powers, a Ponca City resident who sells funeral supplies via the internet, sued the state Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors saying the law unconstitutionally limits her rights to do business. She and her partner, Dennis Bridges of Knoxville, TN, operate Memorial Concepts Online, selling caskets in states where it is legal. They say their caskets are hundreds of dollars cheaper than ones sold in funeral homes. Powers does not have a funeral director’s license but sells funeral supplies through the internet. Obtaining a funeral license in Oklahoma requires two years of college, a one year apprenticeship and the embalming of 25 bodies. State officials have said the law protects grieving families from fraud. Terry McEnany , director of the Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, agreed with the decision. “I think this was a victory for Oklahoma’s state rights and also a variety for Oklahoma funeral purchasers,” McEnany said. McEnany said the Oklahoma Legislature decided that the best way to regulate funeral sales was to require they be sold through licensed, regulated funeral homes. Similar laws have been struck down in Mississippi and Georgia, but exist in many other states.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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The number of people choosing cremation has increased significantly in the past few years, which in many ways magnifies the need for personalization and memorialization.  When a family chooses to have the ashes scattered following cremation, there is often no permanent memorial that provides a place of vigil for those who want to remember the life of their loved one.  This can create a missing link for current and future generations.  Video memorials provide a source of connection-a tangible tribute that can console the bereaved, not only at the service but also at any time of the day or night in the comfort of their own home.  Of course choosing cremation in no way needs to eliminate a funeral or memorial service.  A funeral service can precede cremation, just as it can precede cremation, just as it can precede above ground burial.  Alternatively a memorial service can be held after the fact.  Either way the ceremony may be personalized by video remembrances to reflect the life of the deceased and thus have special meaning for the grieving families, their loved ones and everyone in attendance.  When a video remembrance becomes the only permanent memorial for a loved one, such as in the case of scattering the remains after cremation, an even greater responsibility is placed upon the funeral director to provide the finest possible quality when choosing a memorial video service provider.  Will you be proud of the finished product, pleased to place your funeral home’s name on it or will the poor quality of an inexpensive “quick fix” come back to haunt you?  It simply begs the question: if it was your mother, (father, wife, husband, daughter, son or best friend), how would you personalize the service?  Would you settle for a glorified slide show or would you want to celebrate this precious life with a memorable, quality keepsake?  Video memorials are a popular and effective way to bring added personalization to funeral services.  They fulfill the need to preserve our heritage, by utilizing family photographs of the deceased that represent special moments throughout their lifetime.  There are a number of memorial video products available-from basic slide shows to full motion DVD productions with background scenery and music.  You can also choose between outsourcing services and doing all the work in house. How do you know which is best for you?  To help you make the best choice for your funeral home needs-and the needs of the families you serve-her are the 10 most important questions you can ask when choosing a company to provide video remembrances:  Is the production merely a slide show with transitions, or is it a full motion video?  Is the video true DVD quality or merely VHS content burned to a DVD which looks homemade?  Will the company take care of the burdensome and time consuming creative and production processes or will that be my responsibility?  Do I need to be a computer expert to use your software?  For outsourcing companies, ask: What is the turn-around time-can I be guaranteed the finished production will arrive in time for the visitation or service?  Sometimes a family brings in photos that are scratched, torn or faded; can your technicians or the software you provide correct the imperfections?  Do you use licensed music so that I won’t need to worry about copyright infringement?  How much extra will it cost for additional copies for family members?  Will I be able to talk to someone who can help me any time of the day or night?  Do you offer personalized covers and labels, as well as coordinating memorial items?  A video memorial not only provides a lasting tribute to a loved one, but also gives family and friends a way to celebrate the life that was lived.  And in the case of cremation, if may become the only permanent memorial a family has for their loved one.  Realizing that this remembrance becomes a link for generations to come, how important is it to provide a lasting memorial that projects the finest in photo quality and restoration, soothing background scenery and appropriate music licensed for synchronization?  How important is it to provide a quality tribute to share with family and friends across the country who could not attend the services?  You would never dream of compromising a family’s trust through the services you provide, so why would you want to just “get by” when choosing video memorial service provider?  When quality video productions are included in memorial services, families and friends are reminded of what a caring and memorable experience they’ve had.  Those who have experienced this unforgettable acknowledgement of a loved one’s lifetime at your facility are bound to think of your funeral home in their time of need.  Everyone benefits when a standard service is tuned into an extraordinary lasting memorial.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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Shipping human and cremated remains has always been fairly straightforward.  Funeral directors have relied on the United States Postal Service’s registered mail to move cremated remains and the commercial airlines to handle human remains.  But are these the only options available to the industry?  While these methods are certainly the most cost effective, they are not always the most effective, they are not always the most convenient or compassionate.  Situations have occurred when the traditional shipping methods have not been fast enough or offered enough privacy or compassion.  This article explores other possibilities for shipping both cremated and human remains when the traditional methods will not work.  The methods discussed are not offered as ways to save money but to be another resource available to the funeral director when the situations above occur.

Shipping Cremated Remains

As the number of cremations continues to steadily increase, so does the need to ship cremated remains.  It is important to know the rules of shipping cremated remains as well as your viable options.  Funeral directors, crematories and scattering services often provide incorrect information to family members when it comes to shipping cremated remains, putting themselves and the family at risk.  In addition, most funeral directors are not always aware of other available options and therefore miss an opportunity to serve the family’s need for speed or compassion.  When we need to ship a regular package, especially with speed, we have several air express delivery companies at our disposal.  Brown, red or yellow they all have the ability to move packages fast.  While this holds true for shipping a box of Christmas presents to your relatives in California, this is not the case for cremated remains.  Every major air express company strictly prohibits human remains from being shipped on their network, including cremated remains.  By reviewing the company’s terms and conditions, you will quickly discover a list of prohibited items.  You will also discover a clause that states, “Failure to comply with any of the terms and conditions will result in a denial of loss or damage claim.”  While most express package companies do a fantastic job of delivering boxes and small envelopes, loss and damage does occur.  Their systems are not designed for packages that are irreplaceable, hence their unwillingness to accept cremated remains.  Explaining to a family that their loved one’s remains have been lost or damaged is every funeral director’s nightmare.  If you are currently using one of the major air express carriers to shop cremated remains, cease immediately!  You are putting you and your firm at serious risk of a lawsuit, publicity nightmare and, at worse, a tarnished image in the community.  If you continue to use the option and a loss or damage occurs, you have no action of recourse.  Make a clear; shipping cremated remains through the traditional air express companies is not an option!  A vast majority of cremated remains are shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS) registered mail.  Cremated remains cannot be sent by overnight express mail, regular mail or certified mail.  USPS publication 52 section 462.2 states, “Human ashes are permitted to be mailed provided they are packaged as required in 463b.  The identity of the contents should be marked on the address side.  Mail pieces must be sent registered mail with return receipt service.”  Section 463 B discusses how the remains should be packed; “Dry materials that could cause damage, discomfort, destruction or soiling upon escape (i.e., leakage) must be packed in sift proof containers or other containers that are sealed in durable sift proof outer containers.  While this method is both reliable and economical, it is not very fast nor compassionate or convenient.  Funeral directors must take time out of their busy schedule to drive to the post office, stand in line to complete the necessary paperwork, and keep their fingers crossed the package doesn’t make a wrong turn in Iowa.  Family members sometimes dislike the lack of compassion associated with the postal service and are often embarrassed when they have to go to the post office to recover a box labeled “Human Remains.”  While it is a very practical method of moving cremated remains, it is somewhat limited by its speed, convenience and compassion.  It’s not always the best option for the shipper or the receiver.  Another option available to cremated remains shippers is the commercial airlines.  This can be either in the passenger cabin or the cargo hold area.  If a passenger with a paid fare wishes to bring the cremated remains onboard the aircraft, it is critical that the remains are packed in a box that can be easily x-rayed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  If the container is constructed from a material that prevents the security screener from being able to identify the contents, the package will not be permitted past the security checkpoint.  Even if the family is willing to allow further inspection by opening the package, the security screener will not comply and the package and the passenger will be denied entry.  If the package is denied, the passenger may check the remains onboard as cargo and the package will be placed in the cargo hold area of the aircraft.  It is critical that the contents are appropriately packed to handle the cargo loading and unloading process.  If the remains are packed as if they would be place in the overhead bin but end up being denied access and have to go as cargo. It is advisable to find another way to transport.  If remains need to be shipped with extreme speed and there is no family member available to accompany the remains on the aircraft, funeral directors can still utilize not only commercial airlines, but other time critical airlines as well.  Companies such as AirNet Express of Columbus, Ohio specialize in shipping sensitive materials and offer door-to-door pickup and delivery of cremated remains.  By combining their exclusive fleet of over 140 airplanes with all major commercial airlines they are able to move the remains in less than 14 hours, door-to-door 24/7/365.  The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations mandate the companies such as AirNet conduct a physical site inspection at your place of business before allowing you to ship on commercial aircraft, if you are not already a known shipper.  While this site audit is not required to ship on AirNet’s aircraft it is recommended that one be performed if your firm is not already known shipper with the TSA.  While this service is more expensive than the USPS, it provides super expedited speed, convenience by providing door-to-door pickup and delivery, extreme reliability and privacy for the family.  It is important to note that commercial airlines require that remains be accompanied by a signed certificate of death or a burial/burial removal permit, as required by law.

Shipping Human Remains

Since the September 11th tragedy, no one industry has felt the sting of changes in commercial aviation more than the funeral industry.  The financial distress caused by this act has caused a significant reduction in the number of cities served, the size of the aircraft an its cargo capacity, the number of direct flights from major cities, and the increased possibility that a major carrier will face closure.  Cities such as Green Bay, Wis., Charleston, W. Va., and Cheyenne, Wyo., were once served by aircraft that had the capability to move human remains.  Now, funeral directors in these cities must recover from larger cities with drives up to eight hours.   This problem will only worsen with time as commercial airlines replace existing aircraft with regional jets or cancel routes all together.  It is also important to note that the newer “low fare” airlines coming into the market have been unwilling to accept human remains further complicating matters.  Another option to consider when time is of the essence and the commercial airlines are not available is to charter an aircraft.  Chartered aircraft, albeit significantly more costly than using a commercial aircraft, can be flown anywhere, anytime.  Usually the airplane can be on location within two hours of the call and unlike commercial airlines, will land to the closet recovery airport (providing there is appropriate runway length).  When families want their loved one’s remains home immediately, especially if death is a result of a tragedy, a charter may be viable option.  As mentioned earlier companies such as AirNet can accommodate an on-demand charter.  No matter where the remains are coming from or going to, AirNet will find the most cost effective aircraft for the mission, make all ground arrangements and complete all necessary paperwork.  This service can be most useful to a family who wants to recover their loved one’s remains as soon as possible (especially from remote locations), do not want their loved one’s remains to ride in the baggage compartment, or in situations where privacy is of the utmost important.  In addition to the human remains, on most private aircraft one passenger is permitted to accompany the remains during flight.  Charter pricing is based on the origin and destination, the size of the shipping container (combo unit-vs-airtray), and availability of aircraft.  Prices range from $2500 to over $20,000.  Examples of past missions have included flying remains from the east coast to the west coast in less than six hours to accommodate an early morning funeral, flying remains to Central America, and recovering remains from a remote location out west and delivering to grieving family in the Midwest.  Chartering an aircraft may not always be to simply recover the remains from the point of death and fly it home.  In one instance where a plane was chartered, a man’s family wished to have multiple viewings in multiple cities.  The man had owned businesses in several locations on the east coast and rather than ask the employees to come to one central location to pay their last respects, they chartered an aircraft and the remains were flown to four different cities in two days.  In another example, a wife wanted to memorialize her husband, who had a deep admiration for aviation, by chartering a private plane to fly his remains over the Pacific Ocean.  As funeral directors move to event planning, a charter might be a unique option for a family to celebrate a loved one’s life.  A private charter is not for everyone, but don’t make the mistake of dismissing it as an option.  As the commercial airlines continue to struggle, it can be a useful option in time of need.  A private charter can be dispatched day or night and has very few restrictions associated with the commercial airlines.  The recovering funeral home can recover directly from the aircraft, which his important when privacy is important.  If you depend on a mortuary shipper to assist in shipping cremated or human remains, you should ask them about charter options if commercial airlines are not meeting your customer’s demands.  Chances are they have used a charter in the past and can assist you in contacting a company that specializes in charters.

Conclusion

While a vast majority of the time, traditional mortuary shipping works, it is important to know there are other options available that may be useful.  A grieving family needs to be presented with all the options when traditional methods break down.  While cost may be prohibitive, the decision needs to be made by the family not the funeral director.  And most importantly it is important that you do not suggest an option that is not viable such as shipping cremated remains through the traditional air express companies.  Know the rules, but more importantly know your options.  It may come in handy the next time the traditional mortuary shipping methods break down.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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This package was complied utilizing materials provided by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), and the International Cemetery & Funeral Association (ICFA).  As part of this cooperative effort among NFDA, CANA and ICFA, this crematory due-diligence package is available to members of each association.  Funeral homes that use outside crematories are hiring third parties to provide an integral part of the services they have sold to a family.  As such, the funeral home has a responsibility to the family to ensure that the crematory will carry out the cremation in a legal, professional and ethical manner.  The best method to obtain these assurances, and to protect the funeral homes from liability in case of a problem at the crematory, is to carry out the four-step due-diligence process outlined below.  By carefully following each of these four steps, a funeral home will undertake important steps to protect the cremation families it serves and to reduce its own potential liability.  In addition, crematories that offer services to funeral homes should be prepared to respond to the information and document requests set forth in this package or risk losing the business of funeral homes.  Funeral homes and crematories that have questions regarding this due-diligence package should feel free to contact their respective association for guidance.

Disclaimer

The steps outlined in this due-diligence packet attempt to cover all possible situations.  As a result, many funeral homes might find that not all of the precautionary steps set forth in the packet need to be included in their review of third-party crematories.  Each funeral home must decide for itself which steps in the due-diligence packet are appropriate for the protection of the funeral home and the consumers it serves.

Internal Due Diligence For Funeral Homes

Due diligence begins with a review of the funeral homes own internal procedures.  Examine each of the following areas to ensure that the funeral home properly handles cremation cases internally.

Cremation Authorization Forms

Does your state have a cremation authorization law that dictates the disclosure that must be addressed on a cremation authorization form?  If so make sure that the funeral home is utilizing a form that is in compliance with the requirements of the state. If your state does not have such a law, make sure you are using a cremation authorization form that requires, at a minimum, the authorizing agent to attest to each of the following items:  the identity of the decedent after positive identification has been made by the authorizing agent or his/her representative–the identity of the authorizing agent and his/her legal authority for authorizing the cremation-authorization to remove and dispose of any medical devices implanted in the remains. Or a representation that no medical devices are present-permission to cremate the body and mechanically pulverize the cremated remains after a detailed explanation of the process has been provided to the authorizing agent-acknowledgement that the alternative container or casket will be cremated with the remains-specific instructions as to what disposition is to take place with any personal property (clothing, eyeglasses, jewelry) on the remains-specific instructions as to whom the cremated remains are to be delivered or, in the alternative, what other disposition of the cremated remains is to be made-certification as to the accuracy and truthfulness of all statements made in the authorization form and indemnification of the funeral home and crematory by the authorizing agent.

Identification Process

The funeral home must have in place an identification process that ensures that any body received by the funeral home has been positively identified by the authorizing agent or his/her representative.  An identification tag or medallion should be affixed to the remains throughout the entire time the body is in the possession of the funeral home.  The funeral home should have the crematory execute a receipt for the remains of the decedent at the time the remains are turned over to the crematory.  When the funeral home receives the cremated remains back from the crematory, it must also maintain a strict identification process for the cremated remains.  Identification should be attached to the urn or container holding the cremated remains and an identification tag should also be placed inside the urn or container.  If there is more than one container holding the cremated remains, both containers should be similarly identified and each identification tag should reference the fact that the cremated remains are in two containers.  Cremated remains should always be stored in a secure, enclosed area with a logbook showing when and from whom the funeral home received them and when and to whom the funeral home delivered them.  If cremated remains are placed in a pendant or other piece of jewelry, or incorporated in some other fashion into an object, that object should be identified as holding or containing the cremated remains of the decedent until such time as the funeral home delivers it to the family.

Transportation

The funeral home should deliver the remains to the crematory using its own personnel.  Funeral home personnel should confirm that the crematory operator has accepted the remains, that the crematory operator has been presented with the cremation authorization form and any necessary permits and authorization, and that the crematory operator has executed the receipt.

Handling Cremated Remains

When accepting cremated remains from the crematory, funeral home personnel should immediately inspect the urn or container to ensure that there is appropriate identification attached to the urn or container.  Once the funeral home has taken possession of the cremated remains, it should only deliver the cremated remains to the recipient designated in the cremation authorization form.  If the authorizing agent wishes to change the disposition or delivery instructions in the cremation authorization form, any such modification should be in writing, signed by the authorizing agent and delivered to funeral home personnel.  Funeral homes should always obtain an executed receipt when turning over possession of the cremated remains to the authorizing agent or a designated third party.

Insurance Review

Funeral homes should periodically have their insurance agent review their professional liability (also known as “errors and omissions”) insurance to determine if it is at adequate levels and covers liabilities for independent contractors that the funeral home utilizes, such as a crematory.  Funeral homes might also want to consider the purchase of an umbrella policy, which could cover in the event of a catastrophic court judgment against the funeral home.

Due-Diligence File

For every outside crematory the funeral home uses, the funeral home should have a “due-diligence” file.  In that fact, the funeral home will place the documentation and reports that will be generated from following the other three steps outlined in this due-diligence package.

Crematory Records Request

One important aspect of due diligence is a review of the licenses and operational records of the crematory.  A crematory should be willing to provide copies of its licenses and applicable operational records to each funeral home it serves.  A refusal by the crematory to provide the records when requested should be regarded as a red flag to the funeral home.  On page 39, the funeral home will find a records request that it should send to each crematory it uses.  If the crematory does not send the requested records or makes an incomplete response, the funeral home should follow up with the crematory to obtain the records.  Once the records are received review them to see that the crematory has proper authorization under state law, has trained its operators has adopted comprehensive operational procedures, maintained sufficient liability insurance, and utilizes appropriate authorization forms.  If you see deficiency, raise it with the crematory and have it addressed to your satisfaction.  If it is not, use another crematory.  All records obtained from the crematory should be maintained in the due-diligence file that the funeral home keeps on each crematory.  In the file, the funeral home should maintain a log showing, when the records were requested, received and reviewed and if any deficiencies were detected, when they were brought to the crematory’s attention and when the matter was resolved.  The records request should be updated at least once a year.

Crematory Interview

The third step of crematory due diligence is to interview the management of the crematory to obtain information on its personnel facilities and operations.  A list of sample interview questions has been prepared that probes each of these three areas.  Funeral homes should feel free to supplement the questions with their own inquiries.  Prior to conducting the interview, the funeral home should call for an appointment so that the crematory manager is available and has set aside sufficient time for the interview.  Funeral home personnel conducting the interview should take written notes of the responses to the questions.  IF any response is unsatisfactory or raises concerns, address it with the crematory manager immediately.  For example, if the funeral home personnel believe that the crematory’s system for ensuring proper identification of a body is insufficient, discuss it with the crematory manager and obtain written assurances that your concerns will be addressed.  If after returning to the funeral home and reviewing the responses to the question, the funeral home and reviewing the responses to the question, the funeral home still has concerns regarding the crematory, list those concerns in writing and send them to the crematory manager.  In addition, if the funeral home believes it needs further information, send a written request to the crematory listing the follow-up questions.  If the crematory does not respond in a timely manner, the funeral home can either contact crematory management again or decide not to use the crematory.  Make sure that the cremation interview sheets with your written notes, any follow up inquires, and all responses from the crematory are maintained in the permanent due-diligence file on the crematory.

Crematory Inspection

The final step in the crematory due-diligence process is to conduct an unannounced inspection of the crematory during business hours.  The unannounced inspection should be conducted at least once a year.  If the crematory refuses to permit the inspection, it is strongly recommended that the funeral home switch its business to another crematory.  Funeral home personnel conducting the inspection should use a checklist to document their findings.  If any problems are observed during the inspection, funeral home personnel should note it on the checklist, raise those concerns in writing to the management of the crematory and make sure that the problem is remedied.  A new checklist should be filled out for each inspection.  As with all other documents, maintain a permanent copy of each Crematory Inspection Checklist in the crematory due-diligence file.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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Growing up I can recall a family argument that seemed to recur often in our household of seven, it was always my parents on one side and either me, one of my four sisters (or some combination of us) on the other.  The common factor in all of this: new technology.  We either wanted a cell phone, an ipod or some innovative device yet to be developed in yesteryear, also known as the 70’s.  The argument was always the same, and in some instances still arises today as more products are being pioneered and put on the market.  “Well when we are growing up, we never had a cell phone,” they would say.  Moreover, as different arguments arose, our never changing response could apply to each case: “Well times have changed.”  Change is inevitable, and if you look back 30 years ago, or even 10 years for that matter, it is clear to anyone willing to open their eyes that we are not the same society we were in the past.  We live in a world today where popularity is determined by how many friends you have on facebook, where there is such a thing as driving while  “intexticated” and where an African American can be president of the United States.  Consequently, in today’s world there are numerous ways in which we can define how we live.  And in the same respect how we die.  There are now several options available to families regarding how to memorialize their loved ones after they pass away.  While it was once the norm to have a traditional burial consisting of a casket, visitation, flowers, funeral service, etc., it is now becoming much more common to opt for cremation.  Up until the 1980’s, the national cremation rate was less than 10 percent.  However, according to the Cremation Association of North America, as of 2006 the national cremation rate reached 33.61 percent, with a projection of 39.03 percent for 2010 and 58.89 percent for 2025.  The funeral business is no stranger to change.  But what accounts for these changes?  For starters, the most palpable explanation can be attributed to economics.  Despite Ben Franklin’s words of wisdom, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” the funeral business lacks a heightened degree of certainty.  Even with an ongoing clientele, there are other factors that affect the funeral business and its profit margin.  Cremations are cheaper.  While cremations come in around the $1,500 range, a traditional burial can cost up to $8,000.  However, the economic factor has been analyzed and it is no secret to funeral directors that consumers are opting for the more economical alternative.  Even so, economics is not the only factor that weighs into the decision of whether to have a traditional burial or a cremation.  We live in a very niche society today.  Previously, there were the Beatles, long hair traditional burials.  Today styles are vastly different and incredibly tailored to fit each individual’s preference.  Unlike the 60’s and 70’s there is no one band today to capture quite the audience that the Beatles did.  CNN reporter Evan Buxbaum, in an article titled “Recession Leaves Funeral Business in Grave State,” wrote, “It is not only economics driving post life choices but also transient lifestyles and the desire for personalization.”  Moreover, that personalization arises from all of the varieties of products that are now available to suit every aspect of a person’s lifestyle.  As made evident by the dispute I would have with my parents when a new piece of technology would come out, our generation is fundamentally different from that of our parents, and it shows when deciding what we would want for our own funerals.  To further investigate the generational gap affecting the funeral business, I developed a survey that I sent out to my friends in the 21 year old age range.  To be honest, my first thought when developing the generation angle for this story was, “Who cares?”  What 21 year old individual is going to have an opinion on the matter?  Whether or not my friends want to be cremated has to be the furthest thing from their minds-or so I thought.  The survey served as a tool to gauge how the millennial generation, or Generation Y  or whatever other name we have been branded with, feels about how they would like to be memorialized and why.  According to the final report of the survey, 53.85 percent of the respondents opted for cremation over a traditional burial when they die, with 30.77 percent choosing traditional burial (the other 15 percent had either no preference or did not deem it time to think about the issue yet.  One interesting finding was that even with more than 50 percent opting for cremation, 61.54 percent of the respondents, when asked how they would like to take care of the arrangements for their parents and grandparents, chose traditional burial.  This discovery can be attributed to the differences in generations and demonstrates the shift we are seeing between them.  In order to determine the main reason among our generation for the growing popularity of cremation, I developed a list of common reasons for choosing cremation and asked those who prefer it to mark all the reasons that applied to them.  With choices such as cost, the environment, religion, convenience, personalization of the ashes, etc., I expected there to be one or two dominating answers.  However the responses were pretty well diversified, with no one answer receiving the majority of the vote.  Conclusively, there is ultimate reason for the rising rate in cremations, thus alluding back to differentiating styles and personalized choices.  Today the options are endless.  The fact of the matter though is that more people want cremation, and they want to take care of those cremations in a variety of ways.  So maybe rather than trying to figure out how to sway the interest back in favor of traditional burials, it would be more beneficial to figure out ways to accommodate the numerous personalized styles without an accompanying decline in profile margins.  This does not mean, though, that traditional burial is doomed.  There will always be those people wanting to preserve tradition and say their final goodbyes in person.  After all, the majority of survey respondents would rather have a traditional burial for their parents.  Why?  Because their parents values are steeped in tradition.  What is important now is keeping what already exists while also opening up doors for new ventures and new opportunities to cater to innovative wishes.  I once saw a special on TV about urns created and decorated for the ultimate New York Yankees fan or any sports team you wish.  Today once you choose cremation, the decision does not stop there.  If you are an avid Lakers fan, there is an urn for that.  If your beloved pet passes away, there is an urn for that.  According to a Website I visited recently, you can even place ashes into a teddy bear to create a “huggable” urn.  The options are endless.  However is that the solution?  To develop and market a variety of products, such as a teddy bear urn, in order to raise profits?  Is that the key to increasing your consumer base and enhancing your relationship with families and new generations?  Look at today’s form of communication and how it has evolved over time.  The difference in generations is evident and can be seen through the different age groups.  The goal here is to create synergy, to work together to create a result that is greater than the sum of its parts.  How can all the different modes of communication not only coexist, but coexist effectively?  Subsequently how can traditional burials and cremations do the same?  The media has evolved with the changing generations in an attempt to answer that question.  These days, just about every newspaper is available online.  However prior media have not become obsolete, although they have been struggling just like some funeral homes are beginning to.  The editors had to find a balance.  The Pew Research Center has shown that older generations are more faithful to hard copies of newspapers as opposed to TV or online editions.  The readership for the latter two comes mainly from Generations X and Y.  While the readership of each is not completely cut and dry, however the different mediums can be said to represent different days and ages as times have evolved.  They are all now trying to find a way to coexist, because they have to.  They had to find a common ground that underlies each medium so that each age group is satisfied.  Although the news is presented in a variety of different forms, it still provides its audience with what it wants: the news.  It presents it in such a way as to cater to each generation.  Consequently, the media have not only stepped foot into our generation but are being welcomed with open arms.  The question then becomes how to balance that innovation with economics.  So how can the funeral business also find that balance?  What is the common denominator between traditional burials and cremations that can link the generations together?  In other words, how can you welcome texting and facebook without having to get rid of phone calls and handwritten notes?  Just as facebook allows its users to post pictures and videos of other members, the funeral business has also made strides to close the generational gap by not only providing pictures at services but also creating web sites in honor of those lives lost.  Additionally, having these tributes on facebook, in addition to a casket or on a boat with an urn creates memories, and memories transcend all generations.  Is just having pictures at a service enough to unmask that common denominator and really bring forth the memories and the experience the consumer wishes to share?  After all, the best memories are represented not only through pictures but also through the stories that each picture represents.  Facebook, for example holds the ability to tell someone’s entire life story through all of its applications and the information each user inputs onto his or her profile page.  So maybe that is something to think about:  traditional burials and cremations coexisting through their common denominator, the memories and experiences created according to what we as customers value, whether that be a conventional funeral or the spreading of cremated remains over a football field with the famed college fight song playing.  Isn’t that what a business is all about:  giving people what they want and value?  With the vast array of opportunities to have personalized lifestyle, there is no longer a cookie cutter funeral and the rising number of cremations, along with the innumerable ways to memorialized a person through a cremation (of a traditional burial, for that matter) is accredited to the change we are seeing in society and the increased diversification of ideals and values.  Change can be a scary thing.  But it is very real and it doesn’t always have to be an idea to be feared.  So while your VHS player may be good for watching old home movies, go out and buy a Blu-ray!  Although my parents have tried to fight it, they are beginning to realize that new technology is just going to keep on coming, and there is nothing they can do about it.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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Like many funeral professionals, Bill McQueen was born into the business.  His father William F. McQueen established Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home with his partner, John S. Anderson in St. Petersburg, Fl, in 1952.  As many of the offspring of a funeral home owner can attest, William McQueen was a dedicated workaholic.  “My father went to work every day of the year, so if we wanted to see dad, we went to the funeral home,” McQueen reminisced.  “At age 6 I started going to work with dad on many Saturdays where I helped mow the grass, wash cars, open doors-and got paid $1 for the whole day.”  During his high school and college days, McQueen continued to work at the funeral home during breaks and in the summer.  After college, McQueen became somewhat the black sheep of the family by going into public accounting and law instead of funeral service.  “However, I always was involved with the business side of our family firm,” McQueen said.  “Especially after the unexpected and untimely death of our father 22 years ago when I was just finishing law school.”  During the early 1990’s, McQueen assisted a good friend, Dr. Vanderlyn Pine, who according to McQueen was “brokering” a number of funeral home businesses around the nation with the legal side of the transactions, and then became a partner in the firm, American Funeral Consultants.  Pine had encouraged McQueen to get a funeral director’s license, which McQueen did when St. Petersburg College started a funeral service program.  McQueen returned to the family business full time after he realized that he enjoyed the funeral business more than legal work.  “I often get asked why I would leave a successful law practice to become a funeral director, “McQueen said.  “And after much thought, I have determined that I thrive on the heartfelt thanks I receive almost every time I help arrange and direct the funeral ceremonies f or a family.  I never got that as an accountant or attorney.” As McQueen prepares to begin his tenure as president of the Cremation Association of North America, American Funeral Director had the opportunity to pick his brain regarding several key issues in the cremation industry and what the future will hold.

Q.  What Do You Believe Has Been Spurring The Steady Rise In Cremation Rates The Past Several Years?

A.  Based on the 2008 Wirthlin Study and other consumer surveys cost is definitely a primary reason for why people are choosing cremation over burial.  However, as cremation continues to rise, it appears the community reaches a tipping point is reached, the cremation rate seems to get a second wind and gain more speed.  I know we have seen this in our community over the past 10 to 15 years.  There was a time when we felt the cremation rate would begin to plateau at the 50 percent mark….today we are approaching 70 percent.

Q.  Do You Believe The Economic Crisis Has Led To An Increase In Consumers Choosing Cremation Over Burial?

A.  I truly do not believe our current economic crisis has caused people to switch from burial to cremation as their chosen method of disposition.  Individuals prefer one method or another.  The current economic crisis may be causing more people to choose a basic cremation with less or no memorialization…but they also may be opting for less memorialization on the burial side as well.

Q.  Do You Believe That Many Firms Are Underpricing Cremation?

A.  As a general rule of thumb, I definitely believe most U.S. funeral homes have under priced their cremation services and as a result are making their burial clientele subsidize their cremation families.  I do not understand why any funeral provider’s basic direct cremation fee can be less than their nondeclinable basic service fee, but I see it all the time.  For too long, funeral homes have treated cremation clients as a long leader or necessary evil.  However as the prevalence of the cremation requests grows, the funeral home owner can no longer afford to do this…and expect to be in business a decade from now.

Q.  Cremation Is Growing In Popularity Partially Due To The Green Movement, But It Also Brings Up Fears Among Those Involved In The Green Movement that Crematory Emissions Could Be Harmful To Air Quality, Specifically The Release Of Mercury And Particulate Matter.  What Would You Say To Assuage These Fears?

A.  Minimizing emissions of all types are certainly a priority to crematory owners, operators and cremator manufacturers.  First North American cremator designs have typically performed better environmentally due to their large after chambers for the re-burning and scanning of the exhaust prior to discharge into the atmosphere.  The most extensive cremation equipment emissions research ever undertaken confirmed that the design and operation of typical North American crematories provided significantly better emissions than regulations required.  However issues will continue to come up and it is important to address them by revisiting the information that is available to us, updating both the facts and accuracy at each opportunity.  It is important to acknowledge that often, those raising these issues and questions, though well meaning, base their concerns on inadequate information or unanswered questions.  Lately the release of mercury seems to be an issue of most concern to some individuals.  Many human activities recycle mercury in the environment, including municipal incinerators, breaking of fluorescent lamps, dental facilities operations, production and disposal of batteries, household waste disposal and the operation of crematories, as well as other sources.  The most notable way that mercury enters the cremation cycle, and therefore crematory emissions, is through silver amalgam dental fillings found in many dead human bodies.  Silver amalgam filling contain mercury alloys that when introduced through dean humans into the cremation process of intense heat results in the volatilization of mercury and its emissions into the atmosphere. The good news is that the use of silver amalgam fillings by the dental profession has declined significantly in the last 10 years.  So mercury emissions from crematories today are in significant decline due primarily to changes in dental practices, but even before this recent trend the amount of mercury was negligible.  One of the most detailed studies of mercury emissions impact was conducted in the United Kingdom where over 70 percent of dead humans are cremated.  The results of the study showed that the amount of mercury in the soil around the studied crematories was almost seven times lower than that allowed for food production and more than 100 times lower than that allowed for children’s playgrounds.  The soils were deemed uncontaminated even after 112,000 crematories and 40 years of operation.  If one looks at the facts objectively it is clear that the concerns over mercury emitted from a crematory operation is not substantiated.  CANA recently has published a whitepaper on this issue for those who would like more information.

Q.  Do You Believe All States Should Require Cremation Certification?  Why?

A.  Though I personally live and work in a state that did away with cremation operator training and certification, I do believe all states should require some form of certification.  CANA always has believed in the importance of having knowledgeable individuals trained to operate cremation equipment.  There are a number of factors in performing a cremation that the operator must evaluate and make informed decisions before proceeding.  All cremation operations have been entrusted with a very important and sacred honor…and you only get one opportunity to do it right.  Having an operator who has been trained and certified by experts on how to perform the process under a number of different scenarios only makes sense for both our profession and the general welfare of our communities.  CANA has recently taken their Cremation Operators Certification Program on the road to various regions throughout the United States in order to make it more convenient and affordable for every crematory to get their operators certified.

Q.  Do You Think It Is Important For Each Of The Accredited Mortuary Colleges To Have A Crematory On Site Or At Least Teach A Course At A Crematory?

A.  Our mortuary colleges need to put a much heavier emphasis on all aspects of cremation within our profession-arrangements, ceremonies and operations.  I do not think that the colleges need to invest in having a crematory on site, but I do feel it is imperative that they offer courses in cremation which would include some embalming clinics.  Again CANA has stepped up to help the mortuary colleges by offering the COCP Program at “Cremation Operations Manual,” which is now being used as part of the curriculum in several mortuary colleges.

Q.  What Have You Found Is The Biggest Asset Of Being A CANA Member?

A.  Even more important than the formal education I have received from CANA’s conferences and seminars, I think the opportunity to network with the most innovative cremation operators in the world has been the biggest asset.  By example our state of the art Cremation Tribute Center was developed as a result of attending a CANA seminar about cremation practices in other parts of the world.  That investment for us was huge but the return has been invaluable and we owe that all to CANA.

Q.  Do You Foresee CANA Getting More Involved With Pet Cremation, Such As Establishing Standards?

A.  Yes, CANA is the leader when it comes to cremation, and as more death care providers see the potential in serving all members of the family, including the pets, we want to be there for them.  We recently have amended our bylaws to permit pet cremationists as members.

Q.  What Challenges Do You Expect To Face During Your Tenure As CANA President?

A.  I am fortunate to have a bright board of directors who have a very strong strategic focus.  Thus I do not expect to face any real challenges during my tenure but instead to remain focused on leading us forward with our strategic plan.

Q.  What Positive Changes Do You Believe Can Be Made To CANA?

A.  Part of our strategic plan entails steps to be able to use technology in a manner to deliver our valuable programming to all of our members in the most cost effective manner.

Q.  What Are The Primary Goals You Wish To Achieve As CANA President?

A.  I want to see CANA develop more educational programs for its members to help their cremation businesses prosper, expand our channels of communicating information and education to our members so they can take advantage of its more readily and offer some value added benefits.

Q.  Are There Any Other Thoughts On The Cremation Industry That You’d Like To Make Clear?

A.  For those industry members who just now are experiencing firsthand the rise of the choice of cremation by their local community members, they often have much anxiety.  As a firm that operates daily in a 70 percent cremation marketplace (and yet is experiencing its most profitable year in its 57 year history), please put your mind at ease.  Yes for your business to remain profitable and grow you will need change ….just as your clientele and community is changing.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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William M. Scott is a third-generation funeral director who isn’t afraid to spend money, but like everyone else, he likes to see a return on his investment. As owner of Scott Funeral Home, he chose to build a new facility in Jeffersonville, Ind., in 2002, which cost close to $3 million. But now he has a facility that includes an 800-gallon aquarium in the center of the lobby and some of the newest technology to help him serve about 230 families per year. We asked Scott to share some of what he’s learned so you can build upon his successes and avoid his mistakes. If you are building a funeral home, think about doing something different. Scott hired an architect who knew next to nothing about funeral service. “I felt that was really important,” he says. “You can drive into any town and even if you don’t have your glasses on, you can pick the funeral home out from 300 yards, especially the new ones.”All Scott had to do was lay out the functions of the building and tell the architect to get to work. “It turned out to be perfect,” he says. “A hallway goes right through the middle, front to back.”• When building a new location, think about keeping the old one open. This might not be an option if you need to sell the old location, but Scott still conducts about 20 funerals a year at his former place. He doesn’t maintain an active staff there, but sometimes community residents prefer sticking to what they know. “When we do sell the old place, we will have a restriction on it so it can’t be used for a funeral home,” he says. Don’t be afraid to break with tradition. Scott says it’s time to pursue new ideas. “For instance, at our funeral home, when someone comes in the door, we have computer monitors, and we have a picture of the person they are visiting, info about that person, and then it scrolls and has something about the funeral home and our pet crematory,” he says. “People stand there and stare at it.”• Focus on small but meaningful touches. Scott invested in a computer kiosk in the lobby where people can find local restaurants, check the weather and carry out simple tasks. “People come in and they use it, and they talk about it,” he says. “When you just look at the amenities around the funeral home, it gives people something to talk about.”• Have a slideshow and keep it running in your arrangement conference room. While Scott or one of his arrangers is fumbling around with papers, a slideshow plays for family members. It even gets into subliminal messaging when it shows a picture of a concrete box next to a burial vault and the corresponding waterlines, one that goes up into the box but not the vault. The slideshow gets the point across to families without Scott having to say a word. “But if I’m meeting a family real short on funds, I won’t play that thing because I don’t want them to feel guilty, “he says. “If I let someone pick out something for $12,000, and they can only pay me $2,000, what good have I done?”• A spectacle can be a good thing. Scott’s aquarium is 10 feet long, 300 feet wide and 30 inches tall, and it’s a favorite among visitors to the funeral home. “We have two filter systems in the basement that run it and a 100-gallon air compressor in the garage as well,” he says. “It’s not a cheap proposition, but people love to sit there and watch the fish, especially the kids and the old people. They put their faces right against the glass.”• Beware of thinking there’s a market when there isn’t one. Scott invested about $6,000 in video recording equipment so he could tape services, but so far, he hasn’t really seen a return on investment. “I thought it would be something you could charge for, but it’s not like weddings,” he says. “Weddings are happy moments and funerals are not.” Even so, Scott looks on the bright side and provides CDs of the services to the family for free, and looks at it as another service that separates him from competitors.• Branching out into pet memorialization might not always mean more money. Scott cremates about 6,000 pets per year, and you’d think he’d be making a lot of money, and maybe he would be if he charged more. But at $150 per pet, he’s just not seeing big profits. “We do it as an extension of the funeral home, and we know some people are more attached to their pets than they are to their relatives,” he says. “Relatives don’t come visit, but pets are there every day.” Scott will need to revise something about his pet operation before it really starts to make him money. “We’ve gone on the philosophy of let’s charge a fair price, and let’s get all the business we can,” he says. “But it’s not making that much. We have a monstrous gas bill, and we burnt up the first cremator and had to rebuild it and put in a second one because the first one was not meant for that kind of volume.” He adds, “At the end of the year, we do make a profit, but not much. It’s money in and money out, but what we get to do is we support two more families with a job for the guys who work here, and I think we are performing a good service to the community.” Scott feels that even though he’s tried some things that haven’t worked out as well as he expected, he’s ahead of the curve. “Are all these things worth it?” he asks. “Well, due to the increase in our business over the past few years, I would say, ‘yes.’”

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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We asked an audience of funeral directors who it thinks is its major competitor in the future.  A very involved, informed funeral director immediately said, “Marriott.”  His reasoning was that Marriott already has event planners, rooms parking and all the meal service it could ever need-however we disagree with him.  Unless Marriott has plans to build facilities just to meet this niche, it is not entering the funeral business.  Marriott’s event rooms are rented months or years in advance.  The company is not going to keep this lucrative business aspect un-booked and flexible enough to accommodate funerals that cannot be pre-booked.  And we doubt the hotel wants to fill its halls with grieving families and paraphernalia that a funeral demands.  The competitor of the very near future is the local church.  The trend has started in an almost frightening manner.  Four out of every five funerals in a particular church do not use a funeral director.  They constitute upper-middle class cremation families who are willing to spend money, but see no need for a funeral home.  We could dismiss this as an aberration happening in a very liberal church, but as a funeral in one of the largest Southern Baptist church in Oklahoma City a few months ago, the descendent was a staff member of the church, so the crowd filled the building.  There is nothing liberal about a Southern Baptist church in Oklahoma.  We were amazed and dismayed to discover the family did not use a funeral home for anything except the cremation.  The funeral profession learned how to respond to the new world of cremation, however did we see the entire impact that cremation forced us to face?  When we move away from embalming, we must make sure we are not losing the last thing that makes us necessary to a family.  Far too many families don’t know what we do for them besides embalming and when that is gone, they see no need to pay for our services.  A husband whose wife’s funeral was in the Southern Baptist church was asked why he did not use a funeral home said, “She was cremated, why do I need a funeral home?”  To meet this new challenge, here are two actions we must take.

Become Visible

We must be far more visible and involved in the actual funeral service.  The idea that a good funeral is one where the funeral director is never noticed results in people having no idea what value we have.  If everything we do is done behind closed doors, how can they ever know the role we play?  We have advocated that funeral directors be masters of ceremonies.  Most of the time, people have no idea who is speaking or singing or why and how the participants, songs and pictures fit the life.  The service seems to happen because it is 2 p.m. on Tuesday.  The master of ceremonies needs to function as the funeral director.  The family bonds with the director and expects him or her to walk with them through the experience.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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Though recent reports have pegged funerals as the third most expensive purchase in consumers’ lifetimes, the reality is that average funeral costs fall far below those for weddings, cars, boats, RVs, and even the cost of one year at a public university.  “To say that a funeral is the third most expensive item a person buys in life is just false,” said Jack Kynion, president of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association.  “Certainly people are not spending more for funerals that they are for an education, a home, an automobile.”  While the average cost of a funeral is $5,000 to $6,000, a wedding for example averages $22,360.  “The reason people talk about the cost of funerals is that no one wants to purchase a funeral,: said Mark Musgrove, Association, Brookfield, Wisconsin, “You don’t see exposes on the high cost of weddings.”  In fact, for one of the most important events in life, a funeral is a remarkable bargain, particularly when you consider the services that come with it.  “Funeral homes have people on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Kynion, “And the facilities are available any time you need them.”

The Value Of Funerals

Funerals have many of the same elements as weddings, flowers, food, special clothing.  Yet in many ways, planning them is more involved than planning a wedding and reception-and funeral directors do it all in two to three days, plus care for and prepare a loved one’s body.  While wedding planners have nine months to plan an event for 1,000 people, funeral directors have only three days to plan an event for 1,000 people.  Amazing when you think that the average cost of a funeral is a quarter that of the average wedding, said Musgrove.

Families Choose The Cost Of Funerals

When planning a funeral, families absolutely have a choice, said Musgrove, and not only do they have a choice, they know exactly what they will pay for all services.  Federal Trade Commission regulations require all funeral homes to provide consumers with a General Price List and a detailed list of all services available.  “The families have the opportunity to pick and choose what’s appropriate, said Bill Edmunds, executive director of international order of the Golden Rule, a St. Louis based organization that recognizes funeral homes for high moral standards an ethical conduct.  “Not only is that a price concern, but it’s also important for them to be able to choose a service that’s appropriate for their family.”  In reality, said Musgrove, funerals will cost what families want them to; they select the products and services that are right for the loved one, from casket and type of service to flowers and music.  Preplanning helps take the emotion out of making financial decisions at a difficult time, and funeral directors can work with families to find the right options for them.  The bottom line is that funerals, like any event, are customizable to suit families’ budgets, tastes and traditions.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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Feeding 21 percent of the world’s population with only 7 percent of the world’s arable land is the unenviable task faced by the Chinese government.  With 1.3 billion hungry mouths to feed, preserving all available farm land is a top priority for the government.  While soil erosion and commercial development in China’s emerging market economy might first come to mind as obstacles toward this goal, the Chinese government is less concerned with these problems than with another factor-ground burial of the dead.  According to Chinese belief, in order for the dead to find external rest, their intact remains should be buried in the ground in a grave appropriate to the deceased’s rank and station in life,  For thousands of years, the Chinese performed elaborate ground burials.  They transferred food, money and goods to the deceased.  In some ceremonies, rice was place in the mouths of the dead so that they would be free from going hungry in the underworld.  In a deeply-rooted belief that spirits of the ancestors had to be looked after and ritually appeased, every spring on Qingning Festival people would pay homage by visiting their tombs and offerings.  Paper money is burned for the wandering ghosts in order to satiate their need to consume in the nether world.  Other goods, anything from a shirt and tie to a luxurious car, are also buried in an effort to transfer these items to the dead.  Since 1949, when the communists took power, they have tried to replace traditional burials with cheaper alternatives.  The Communists argue that such burials are costly to both the families and the country.  Supplying the traditional heavy wooden coffins requires the cutting of many trees thus adding to land erosion, while the scattered graves take up considerable land that could be used for farming.  The official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, has reported that due to the preference for tomb burials in the Guangdong province, more than 250 hectares of land are lost there every year.  Communist leaders have often challenged social conventions by setting a personal example, and the Chinese are no exception in the regard.  The first challenge to traditional ground burial was mounted by Mao Tse-Tung in 1956 when he announced that he planned to be cremated.  While this never happened, and Mao’s body went on display in Beijing’s Tiananmen  Square, the gesture did begin a small trend toward greater acceptance of cremation.  But while cremation began to catch on, the demand for ground interment remained unabated.  So despite government-sponsored programs touting space-saving sea burial and high rise columbariums for the disposal of cremated remains, the Chinese continued to prefer ground interment of their loved one’s cremated remains.  The next major challenge to custom came in February 1997 with the death of Deng Xiaoping, architect of China’s reform and opening drive, whose last wish was to be cremated and his ashes scattered in the sea.  Deng’s remains were cremated and scattered at sea.  Again this gesture brought about some amount of social change, but was not as successful as the government would have liked.  A 2001 study revealed that only 37 percent of those who died in China during the preceding year were cremated, despite free cremation services in may low income rural areas.  According to recent press reports, Shanghai has encouraged burial at sea since 1991.  But although it costs only about $13, compared with $1,200 to $1,800 for a typical earth burial, there have been few takers.  Less than 1,000 of the 100,000 people who die in Shanghai each year are buried at sea, according to a Chinese government run newspaper.  Predictably, the elderly, especially in the rural areas, have led the resistance toward cremation.  Chinese statistics show that while nearly 90 percent of city dwellers who die are being cremated, only 15 percent of rural residents choose cremations.  Having offered the carrot to limited success, the Chinese government banned all ground burials in urban areas and began an effort to ban new cemeteries throughout the nation altogether.  Efforts to alter traditional beliefs about funeral customs have also been redoubled with the creation of government -run, 24 hour, full service burial centers that were recently opened with the mission to change old customs and attitudes.  Still, the road to ending ground burial will be an uphill one in a China where even talking about death is difficult.  The word for death (pronounced suh) is rarely spoken, apparently due to the ancient belief that what you speak of will come to pass.  The number four is even considered unlucky because the Chinese word for it sounds like the word for death.  In the past, a range of class and rank specific  euphemisms was used to describe death.  Even now most people refer to death as xieshi (pass away), laole (got old) or simply zoule (gone).  Another factor adding to the difficulty is China’s market economy which is giving more Chinese greater access to wealth and more freedom to spend their money as they see fit,  Many newly-rich Chinese have spent lavishly on ostentatious burial ceremonies and monuments for their parents.  One family reportedly spent upward of $2.5 million on an elaborately landscaped hilltop grave including a four-story building for their elderly father.  In 2002, people making the Qingming Festival-China’s traditional day for sweeping the graves and remembering the dead-were encouraged to pay homage through the internet instead of burning paper money and arranging sumptuous feasts on the hillside tombs.  As China goes modern and the number of internet users is growing rapidly, the authorities are hoping that online tributes to the dead and even online cremations might prevail over traditional burial and homage practices.

If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.

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