When you lose a loved one, there’s always this innate wish to honor and celebrate their life through a beautiful send-off. The current situation, however, makes it challenging to fulfill this wish.
The coronavirus pandemic has affected all facets of our life including how we plan funerals. There are limits to gatherings, a situation that has compounded the grief experienced by family members and friends.
Due to this unusual complication, many people have adapted and are now choosing cremation services. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) projected an upsurge in cremations to 56%, an 8.1% increase from 2015. So, why choose cremation?
Why People Choose Cremation
There are several reasons for the rising trend in cremation services. Not sure if this type of service is right for you and your family? Let’s take a look at why you should choose cremation during COVID-19.
1. COVID-19 Safety
The cremation process is a funeral rite that involves a body’s combustion until it turns to ashes. There are two ways in which a body is cremated, i.e., through a flame-based approach or alkaline hydrolysis- a chemical dissolution process. Both procedures forego embalming, a preservation step that the WHO advises against amid the pandemic.
2. Cost-effectiveness
COVID-19 has negatively impacted livelihoods. In the U.S., for instance, 25% of working Americans reported losing their jobs because of the pandemic. Others have had to take pay cuts. Some adults now have additional responsibilities, such as paying for a family member’s healthcare services. It is against this backdrop that more people are inclined to choose cremation. Unlike the traditional burial, the simplicity of cremation prices minimizes the financial strain for grieving families.
3. More personalized
For some people, the traditional burial followed a standard process that made it relatively impersonal. Today, due to the social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders, you can now conduct a virtual funeral. Cremation allows for a more intimate and personalized service. For instance, most professional cremation service providers’ offer customized cremation services for veterans. This all-inclusive cremation service offers a proper farewell that acknowledges the veteran’s service and sacrifices for their country.
4. Flexibility
Cremation services offer loved one’s various options for saying their last goodbyes. This flexibility is perhaps more significant during COVID, a time synonymous with countless restrictions. First, the cremation process is faster, thereby relieving the burden of living family members and friends. Some people may opt for immediate need services.
A professional cremation provider understands the overwhelming nature surrounding the loss of a loved one. Thereby, provides families an immediate cremation process that is both respectful and straightforward. Some of the “immediate need” services include:
- Transportation of the deceased
- Filing all necessary documentation
- On-site cremation services
Secondly, cremation offers flexibility when planning a memorial service. With ongoing restrictions and other orders, a traditional burial prevents you from planning the memorial service that both you and your loved one would want. With cremation, you will receive your loved one’s cremated remains almost immediately. Additionally, this process gives you the chance to plan the memorial service later in a more relaxed manner.
Thirdly, cremation offers the option of cremation pre-planning. We’ve all witnessed the sudden deaths attributed to COVID. While death is not a favorable topic for many, it’s a discussion worth having.
With cremation, you may opt for pre-planning services to reduce the stress once that time comes. The cremation pre-planning services will reduce the complications associated with a loved one’s passing. Be sure to take advantage of affordable cremation pre-planning that’s all-inclusive, meaning no hidden fees. That’s not all, in the event that your loved one passes on outside of the U.S, an expert cremation team will handle all return arrangements and on-site services.
The practicality of cremation is another reason why people choose cremation services. With family members living across the state or even further, cremation allows for spreading the ashes among loved ones. Also, unlike previous generations, most people have become more mobile, whether for school or career purposes. Cremation allows you to travel without fear of leaving your loved one behind. You may opt to store your loved one’s ashes in an urn, keepsake, and cremation jewelry.
5. Environmentally friendly
The embalming process included in traditional burials is harmful to the environment as the chemicals used are later released into the soil when a body decomposes. With alkaline hydrolysis cremation, there’s less energy use and less emissions, making it an eco-friendly option.
Why Choose Florida Family Cremations
The affordability, practicality, and respectful nature of cremation services are but a few of the reasons you should choose cremation. Florida Family Cremations offers all-inclusive cremation services in Clearwater and the entire tri-county area. These services include cremation pre-planning and immediate need. As a veteran-owned entity, we ensure veterans’ cremation process is done with the utmost respect and dignity. For more information about our cremation services, contact us at (727) 223-5911 today!