Cremation refers to the combustion, oxidation and vaporization of a corpse to basic chemical compounds, including gases, mineral fragments and ashes. Following cremation, the family of the decedent receives a container or urn that holds their loved one’s ashes. Many times, for financial reasons, an individual will forego a funeral with a burial, opting for cremation: The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) states that since 2005, cremation rates have increased by approximately 13 percent (from 32.3 percent to 45.4 percent). It is believed that cremation is on the rise because it is more economical than a burial is: The average cost of a funeral with cremation is approximately $6,000, which is about $1,100 less than the average cost of a typical funeral with a burial. By 2030, the National Funeral Directors Association projects a substantial increase in the number of cremations, with cremations representing 71 percent of funerals.
