Bucking tradition, Americans more frequently cremated their loved ones than buried them last year, according to Time. Citing industry figures, Time reported that 49 percent of Americans were cremated, compared with 45 percent who received traditional burials. It’s unclear what happened to the other 6 percent.
In 1980, the cremation rate was under 10 percent, but it has been steadily climbing since then. Time cites several reasons for the shift, including cost: Cremation can be much cheaper and doesn’t require that grave sites be maintained. In addition, more religions are accepting of cremation than in the past, and society has become more mobile — apparently the living prefer to have mobility for their deceased loved ones.
California had the most cremations in 2015 with 157,012. Of course, it’s also the most populous state. In terms of percentage, Nevada led the way with a whopping 77.4 percent choosing cremation for their loved ones.
Check out: “Why Cremation Is Becoming America’s Favorite Last Act.”
The funeral industry is evolving with the change, and some now offer a wide range of places your ashes can be placed: For instance you can now place them in fireworks and then blast them across a park, embed them into your favorite vinyl record, or deposit them in a coral reef. For some people, the preferred resting place for their remains is space. How to get them there are laid out in an article by Slate.
Industry groups project the rate of cremation could be between 55 percent and 70 percent by 2030.
Have you made plans for your mortal remains? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
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