There are no easy choices when it comes to planning for a funeral. The mere thought of it forces families to confront the reality that they’ll eventually lose a loved one. While the avoidance of this topic is certainly understandable, it can lead to dire consequences. Failure to make proper funerary arrangements has caused financial and emotional turmoil for too many families around the country. It is essential to have a funeral plan in place, and in making this plan, there are a few facts about Buckeye, AZ cremations that residents should know.
Cremations are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. According to the Cremation Association of North America, 23.4% of deaths nationwide were cremated in 2002. In 2017, the rate exceeded 50%. The practice has grown by roughly 20% in 16 years.
Cremation rates aren’t uniform throughout the country. While the national average is 51% as of 2017, the cremation rate in Arizona is between 60 and 70%.
Why are Buckeye, AZ cremations increasing so much in frequency? The first and foremost reason is that cremations aren’t as expensive as a traditional funeral with a burial. A traditional funeral has varying expenses, such as a casket, embalming fees, viewings, a gravestone, and so on, that combined can cost at least $7,000 on average, and often upwards of $10,000. A cremation lets families avoid some or all of those expenses. A direct cremation, for example, might cost $1,000 in total, as it takes place quickly after death and thus foregoes all of the aforementioned expenses.
This isn’t to say that different kinds of cremations aren’t available, however. If, for religious or other emotional reasons, a family prefers a traditional funeral practice, such as a wake with a viewing of the body, it’s possible to have that service and then cremate the body afterward. A cremation after these kinds of services may cost $6,000 on average, which is still significantly less than a funeral resulting in a burial.
While these financial incentives are the biggest causes for the increasing cremation rate, declining religiosity in the United States is also thought to play a role. It should be noted, however, that most religious denominations don’t prohibit or condemn cremations, so families of faith should still consider cremation a viable option for them when planning for a funeral.
No funerary arrangement should be made, however, without consulting an experienced funeral director, who can help you to select the best option for your family’s financial, emotional, and spiritual needs. If you’re searching for Buckeye, AZ cremations and have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to contact Sean and Cynthia of the Thompson Funeral Chapel. You can reach them at (623) 932-1780. With decades of experience, they’ll listen to your concerns with professionalism and understanding, and give you the answers you seek. The Thompson Funeral Chapel can be located at 926 S Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Its associated crematory, Simply Cremation, can be found at 16952 W Bell Rd #303, Surprise, AZ 85374.Discover more about our compassionate funeral and cremation services by visiting https://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/find-us-on-the-web/. Our website is here to guide you through this challenging time, providing the support and information you need to honor your loved ones with dignity and care.
