At about 78%, Washington has the second highest cremation rate of any state in the country. This represents a drastic change in the past fifty years, when the vast majority of people were buried. But it’s not just in the Evergreen State that cremation rates are rising. Throughout the country, over half of people are now cremated, with the rate expected to rise to over 75% by 2035.
At Funeral Alternatives of Snohomish County, our local funeral directors are experts in cremation planning services. From paperwork to urn selection, we’ll provide exemplary service during every step in the process.
Reasons that Cremation Has Become Common
Affordability is a leading reason why cremation has gained in popularity. Typically, cremation ends up costing about 50 percent less than traditional burial. There are significant savings because no burial plot is needed. Also, most urns cost far less than caskets. But price isn’t the only reason that cremation is now common. Many people now choose cremation for environmental reasons. As part of preparations for a funeral, harsh chemicals are used for preservation purposes. Increasingly, people prefer processes that don’t incorporate chemicals that could be harmful to the planet. Also, cremation requires less space to be developed, as ashes can be strewn in a location where they integrate back into nature.
A practical reason that cremation is more common is that it allows more time to plan a service. These days, with busy family members spread across the country, it can be more challenging to plan a burial service where everyone can attend. With cremation, you can instead hold the service at a much later date, when all family members are able to make it. During the Covid pandemic, cremation has become more commonplace because family members want to wait until they can gather for a heartfelt service.
Urn Selection
With the rise in popularity of cremation, there are also far more urn types to choose from.
For elegant urns, materials available include marble, bronze, and high-end hardwoods. Themed urns are also an option, including urns specifically designed for military members. And if you want to keep your loved one literally close to your heart, you could opt for a wearable keepsake urn, which is fashioned into beautiful jewelry. Your funeral director can help you with finding the perfect urn for your desires and budget.
Cremation Services in Snohomish County
If you’re interested in learning more about cremation, feel free to get in touch with one of our experienced funeral directors. Funeral Alternatives of Snohomish County provides affordable cremation services in Everett, Marysville, Tulalip, Mukilteo, Edmonds, Lynwood, Mill Creek, Arlington, and Monroe, WA. We also offer funeral planning in Seattle, Bellevue, and King County. Feel free to give us a call at 1-888-381-6993 to ask any questions about planning a memorable service.
