Recently 60 minutes highlighted a story about a woman looking for her dead fathers grave site. She found he was not buried in the plot indicated by the grave yard records. While funeral homes have strict regulations grave yards, cemeteries and memorial gardens don't have structured guidelines. The 60 minutes story went on to find the woman's father had been unearthed, his remains and tomb stone were discarded in a dump site with many others. This was done so the memorial garden, owned by a large corporation, could resell the plots to new mourners increasing their bottom line.
The Burial Cremation Scandal and Debate
by katiem2
Should I be buried or cremated? You may want to pre-arrange your funeral after reading this controversial report on grave yard violations. Is it better to be buried or cremated?
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60 Minutes Investigates Cemeteries
The investigation went on to report many grave yards, cemeteries and memorial gardens were guilty of doing the same thing over and over again.This is very unsettling for all of us when thinking of loved ones who may have experienced the same fate. We go on to imagine the possibility that we ourselves could one day be violated and moved from our final resting place only to make room for another. When doing the math it does seem logical we may have ran out of room to continue burying our dead.
Could this be the reason for the rise in cremation popularity? To hear and see the story in it's entirety watch the 60 minutes video at the bottom of this page. If you're a living breathing human being you will need to watch this as it covers far more sensitive information than I've covered in this article. It's a must see!
Choosing Burial or Cremation
While it is a fleeting thought we often try to push from our mind it is important to decide which you prefer burial or cremation.
Religion is a common factor in the decision regarding funeral arrangements. However more and more people are considering other options. What are your feelings on this debate? Do you approve or disapprove of cremation?
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The Average Funeral Cost
The difference in cost is a huge factor in the burial cremation debate.
A traditional burial is far more costly than cremation. Once all funeral-related costs are factored in, the typical traditional funeral service will cost an average of $8,000 - $10,000.
The cost difference often makes cremation a hard choice for relatives. The stigma of cost verses the degree to which you valued the loved one is tremendous. Mourning relatives often feel the need to spend an adequate amount of money honoring the life and passing of the deceased. They may feel to do other wise is disrespectful.
We must ask ourselves if the commercial pressures to spend a lot of money on a loved ones final arrangements create these feelings.
The Cost of Cremation
The cost of cremation runs anywhere from as little as $1,500.00 to $3,000.00 - one thousand five hundred dollars to three thousand dollars.
It is for this reason we should finalize our choice completely removing the conscious struggle for family members. The family can proceed confidently with your death knowing it was your choice as you leave no details to question. It is also a good idea to chose the urn you like, it is all about you after all. Making these choices yourself gives peace and comfort to those you leave behind knowing things are being done to meet your desires.
The urns below are all beautiful urns you yourself could buy today. The cost of these urns range from $35.00 to $150.00 a significant, no a huge difference in the cost of a traditional funeral.
Buy Your Urn
Many chose to buy their personal Urn before their death making it a more comfortable and confident final ceremony for the family.
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Report on Cemeteries Digging up the Buried
The 60 Minutes Burial Controversial Piece
Burial or Cremation
Do you approve of Cremation?
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Yes I feel it 's a good choice because...
DerdriuMarriner
on 08/22/2018
It's in line with cultural beliefs. Not every culture supports burial, be it above-ground mausoleum or below-ground casket.
JoHarrington
on 08/13/2012
I love what Frugalrvers said. How she described it sounds like such a beautiful ending for a loved one. Sign me up for that!
Guest
on 08/11/2012
Already have my "wishes" explained...going back to "nature" and having ashes spread in a remote, mountainous location - gives me peace while living in some way
Ragtimelil
on 08/11/2012
I don't really need the room after I'm gone. But some relatives place a marker on a gravesite even though no one is buried there.
What to Wear to a Funeral or Wake
Funeral etiquette has changed allowing additional colors other than black.
The traditional attire once considered to be proper funeral and or wake attire was formal all black clothing. The modern expectations have relaxed a bit. Today's funeral etiquette and dress is different now. It is acceptable to wear other subdued color besides all black. For example dark subdue grey, or navy blue is also a good choice. While black is still largely the most popular color for a funeral it is okay to wear other dark colors. Nothing flashy or bright. It's best to have something appropriate in your closet as you never know when it will be needed. The last thing you want to do is rush out to buy something and risk an ill fitting compromise.
Updated: 02/03/2013, katiem2
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Share your feelings on the Burial Cremation Debate
Terry, Sounds lovely. I too have made my wishes clear regarding my final wishes. I'm leaving no detail to my loved ones as I feel it's best for them not to be put in that situation. Cremation is becoming widely accepted and popular.
As disturbing as these stories are it does not surprise me. I don't worry about it for myself because I want to be cremated and thrown in the great lakes.
Pinkchic, It is a terrible thing to contemplate and yet it is happening. So very sad and yet we consumers need beware when it comes to such practices. No one wants to have their family members taken advantage of like this. Thanks for visiting.
Ugh, this made me get the chills. I can't believe people would dump bodies and graves to increase their bottom line. Thank you for posting this.
Burntchestnut, I'm in your camp, I feel the same and agree with you on all counts. I'm very much about respecting our planet.
Traditional burial pollutes our earth. The body decomposes eventually, no matter how it's preserved. I'd like to donate my body and organs, but if it's not possible (due to time constraints), I'll be cremated with no casket or memorial. I want people to remember me when I was alive.
Sannel, I'm so happy to learn you too have made your family aware that you prefer cremation. ME too! I don't feel I need be taking up anymore real estate once I've left this body.
My family already knows where my ashes will be spread when the time comes. It's so important that we talk about all this before it's to late. Thank you for this helpful article.
Having just been in this situation myself, I'm appalled by the costs involved in funerals. There is very big business making lots of money here, capitalizing upon our grief.
Thank you for writing this. It's something which very much needs to be discussed.
frugalrvers, This is very good advice, thank you for adding it. My Mom was diagnosed with a illness having no cure and destine to take her life. She decided she wanted to have a living wake, which we did,and go to the funeral home making all the arrangements herself with my sister and I. While it was hard to think of her passing it was wonderful to celebrate her while she was still in good health and able to enjoy all the friends and family. Now that I look back on it I'm relieved the final arrangements are all taken care of and paid for. This all happened over the past year and a half. My Mom is still with us and hopefully for many more years but it is nice that we don't have to think about what if as everything has been finalized by her and we can get on with enjoy the time we have left.