Memorialization After Cremation Is Important To Normal Grieving Process

To remember exceptional individuals, special places and significant events in our past is as basic and natural a human desire as is the strong need to be remembered.

That's why throughout human history, memorialization of those who have fallen in battle, served their country or community in an outstanding manner, or simply lived a life that friends and family wish to celebrate has been a constant element of every culture.

It's also why professional fundraising executives know that having an appropriate way of memorializing the names of individual and corporate donors is absolutely essential to attracting the largest amount of contributions for endowment funds, annual giving, alumni and capital campaigns.

Honoring Those Who Have Departed

The Lincoln Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the estimated 23,000 rural and urban cemeteries in the United States are symbols of the affection we hold in particular towards those who have departed.

They are testaments to the fact that having a formal place to visit and recall fond memories of a loved one, whether at a cremation garden, memorial park, cemetery or shrine in a home or backyard, is important to the grieving and memorialization process, both in the short and long-term.

Death care industry professionals know a large percentage of those who plan to scatter the ashes of someone who has been cremated have difficulty actually doing so when realizing that, once the last mortal remains of their loved one vanishes into the sea or soil, they will never again have physical evidence that person existed or a real place to visit them.

They say that's why many of their clients change their minds and may still have the set of cremated remains at home, usually in a "not-so-special" place such as a closet, years later while they decide on a more appropriate disposition or memorialization.

Does The Cremation Trend Change Things?

While the contemporary shift in the United States away from burials toward cremation is happening for a variety of reasons, experts say it is a myth that this trend is a sign that society is losing its interest in, or need to have, traditional memorialization in favor of simple, inexpensive ceremonies where ashes, and memories, are scattered to the wind.

Most in the death care industry also don't believe that
all their future cremation customers will be motivated to choose to be cremated because it is less expensive.

Surveys prove, in fact, that those choosing cremation for themselves or their loved ones today tend to be more wealthy and educated than the average population.

These are individuals who have largely led successful personal and professional lives, are well travelled, and have achieved milestones worthy of remembering by their surviving friends and family. Experts say this kind of person is hardly someone who would prefer not to be memorialized even if they do choose to be cremated.