In the early 2000s, cremations were still used in only a minority of funerary cases in the United States. Since then, however, cremations have greatly increased in popularity. According to the Cremation Association of North America, approximately 23.2% of deaths in the United States resulted in a cremation in 2002. In 2017, that number increased to 51% nationally for the first time in history. West Warwick, RI cremations are in line with that national trend. About 40% to 50% of deaths in the state of Rhode Island now result in a cremation, whereas in 2013, less than 40% were.
There are a few reasons for this increase. The first thing that stands out is often the financial aspects. Traditional funerals can end up costing quite a bit since they have a lot more services involved with them, as a norm. Families have to purchase a casket, for example, a burial plot, a headstone, and many other things that aren’t necessary when cremation is the chosen path. With fewer expenses, more families across the United States are choosing cremation, especially during an era which included the 2008 recession, where financial hardship hit many people hard.
While the use of cremation has increased everywhere, some areas have seen sharper increases than others. For example, Canada has a higher cremation rate than the United States. Up north, the national cremation rate is around 70%. Meanwhile, some states have a higher cremation rate than others. If you come from a religious background, and you’re wondering if cremation is okay with your beliefs, you should know that most major denominations don’t condemn cremation. In fact, many of them welcome it with open arms. You can always talk to your spiritual advisor about this if you have any doubts.
Dovetailing with this is the increasing mobility of the modern population. The Cremation Association of North America notes that more people have lived in different places across the country than ever before, and haven’t stayed squarely in their hometowns. Because of this, those connections have grown looser, and as a result, a greater number of people don’t see the need to be buried in a cemetery close to where they lived a certain portion of their lives anymore.
When you are planning final services, it is important to keep in mind there are no concrete right or wrong answers. You need to do what’s best for your family, whether that is cremation, a traditional burial, or traditional services followed by cremation.
If you’re ever struggling to decide whether Warwick, RI cremations are right for you, or if you have any questions about the cremation process, you should always consult with an experienced funeral director. Don’t hesitate to contact Michael at the Frank P. Trainor and Sons Funeral Home. With decades of experience in the field, we’ll walk you through the process professionally and empathetically. You can reach him by calling (401) 461-4843. The Frank P. Trainor and Sons Funeral Home can be found at 982 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI 02888, which is about 10 minutes away from the downtown Providence area.
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