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As Cremations Increase, So Do Options

Lower cost, greater personalization appeal to families

By Jess Kilby, Newser User

Posted Sep 7, 2008 2:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – The cremation industry is booming, a reflection of tighter economic times and a push from consumers for more creative funeral options, reports the Washington Post. Cremations, cheaper than traditional burial, rose 7% nationwide in the past 5 years and made up 35% of the funeral market last year. Funeral homes are building or expanding crematorium facilities, and entrepreneurs are devising new ways to memorialize ashes.

A pair of Virginia men with no industry experience hatched the idea of concrete-and-ash garden statues, and are now selling their customized product in funeral homes across the region. Another company offers wind-chime urns, available in both alto and soprano. “"Death is like going to the clothing store for a suit,” says the company’s owner. “It's not a 'one size fits all.'”

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Tough economic times, geographically dispersed families and a desire for greater personalization are driving an increase in cremations. The death industry is expanding to meet the demand. ((c) booleansplit)

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Maybe our generation ... is just looking for some way to say we had a wonderful life or we didn't. Maybe people just want to be a little more expressive of how they feel about life. - Kurt Zimmerman, a cremation entrepreneur

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As Cremations Increase, So Do Options