Cremation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we approach many things in our lives, including how we say goodbye to our loved ones. The pandemic has accelerated the trend toward cremation over a traditional burial as family and friends navigate social gathering restrictions. However, the trend toward cremation is not new. Cremations have been on the rise since 1963, when the Roman Catholic church began to allow cremation as a standard funeral practice. According to the Cremation Association of North America , that figure has grown 1-2% yearly, with more than 50% of Americans choosing cremation over burial since 2015. Cremation is expected to increase to 64% by 2024. Due to the pandemic, it’s not surprising that cremation providers have seen a rise in inquiries about their services. The National Funeral Directors Association reports an increase in direct cremations since the onset of COVID-19. Cremations provide a way to say goodbye to loved ones while foll...