Video: Alternative funeral arrangements

It seems everywhere you turn these days we hear about “going green,“ being more eco-friendly.  President Obama referenced going green, being more environmentally responsible in his inauguration speech.

And being eco-friendly is becoming more and more of a consideration—-when people die.

But one earth-friendly option seems to be growing in popularity.

Right now in the U.S. a cemetery is the most popular address of the dearly departed.  But there is another option getting more and more attention.

It’s cremation… burning the body and reducing it to about 5 pounds of dust. 

Grace Florio says she prefers that option.  “Both my grandparents were cremated and it was a nice ceremony for my family.”

Now concern over the environment is making cremation a more appealing option.  Many people feel taking up space after death is a pointless, eternal carbon footprint and a huge waste of space.

Laurie Arizumi says cremation makes a lot of sense.  “It seems to me that grave yards take up a lot of land that could be used for a lot of other useful things.”
Dr. David Shankman, professor of Environmental Science at the University of Alabama says, “Cremation means you don’t have the addition of new cemeteries or the expansion of existing cemeteries so purely from land use purposes or making land available for other purposes, cremation does serve a purpose.”

Even though Alabamians choose cremation less than almost any other state, it is on the rise here. 

The number of people choosing cremation at Ridout’s Funeral Home in Birmingham has doubled in the past 15 years.  9% of the people who pass away in Alabama are cremated.

Heath Bowen says there are several reasons, “They don’t want to take up the space or they don’t like the idea of simply being buried.”

Another reason people chose cremation is the cost.

A traditional burial can cost more than twice as much as cremation.  At an average cost of $10,000 for burial in Alabama versus about $4,500 for cremation.

One reason it’s so much less expensive, big ticket items like a casket aren’t necessary for cremation.  A minimal cremation container at Ridout’s is made of pressed wood.

Since the container will be burned with the body, many opt for this pressboard container.  And if the family wants to have a memorial, they can rent a casket for the service at a fraction of the cost of buying one.

Then the funeral home replaces the interior insert.

Bowen says since almost all religions accept cremation now, tradition is changing.  “I think it will continue to grow. I think it will grow exponentially.”

By the year 2025, it’s estimated the national average of cremations will increase almost 45%. 

Dr. Shankman says in the U.S. there is little worry of running out of burial space and people opting for cremation to help the environment are making a miniscule impact.  But the people who feel strongly about say every little bit helps.

See the related link for more information about cremation.