For decades, the American way of death has been the same: embalmed bodies, engraved tombstones, graveside ceremonies and, finally, burials. Not so anymore. According to state-by-state data compiled by the Cremation Association of North America and the National Funeral Directors Association, cremation is the new custom, accounting for almost 49% of all dispositions last year, vs. 45% for burials--"a seismic shift," says Barbara Kemmis, CANA's executive director.
Although cremation's popularity has steadily grown for years (thanks in part to increasing acceptance by organized religions), the biggest reason for its newfound dominance is cost. Burials are complex affairs that require a plot, a tombstone and a coffin--which all told can cost thousands of dollars. Cremations, by contrast, are simple and cheap. They're also seen as a more flexible option for Americans,…
