Cremation Is Rising — And You're Not Alone
This image features a handcrafted cremation urn made from richly textured wood. The urn’s surface displays natural grain swirls and a prominent dark knot, symbolizing the unique legacy of a life once lived. Photographed in chiaroscuro lighting, the image evokes solemnity, reverence, and the quiet dignity of final farewells.
If you're here, it's probably not just curiosity.
Someone you love has died—or will soon.
And you’re trying to figure out what comes next… without going broke.
You’re not alone.
More than 60% of Americans now choose cremation over burial.
By 2045, it’ll be closer to 80%.
Why? Because it’s:
Cheaper
Simpler
And more flexible for families who don’t want the pressure of a full traditional funeral.
But what nobody tells you is this:
Cremation is just a process.
What matters is what you do after.
Let’s Break It Down: What Is Cremation, Really?
Cremation means your loved one’s body is turned into ashes using high heat in a special chamber.
It’s clean. It’s quick. It’s legal in every U.S. state.
And you don’t need a casket or a full funeral.
You can do something quiet, private, affordable.
There are two main types:
Direct cremation: No ceremony. Just cremation, then you receive the ashes.
$900–$2,500Cremation with service: Includes a memorial or funeral gathering.
$3,500–$7,000
Compare that to a traditional burial, which runs $8,000–$10,000 on average.
(Yes. Even if you skip the fancy stuff.)
What Do You Do With the Ashes?
This is where most people get stuck.
You get the box. You open it. You freeze.
Now what?
Here are your real options:
1. Buy an urn.
Metal, wood, stone, glass — they range from $50 to $300+.
You can keep it at home or store it in a columbarium (a place for urns).
Some are made to biodegrade so you can bury them naturally.
2. Scatter the ashes.
In the ocean, on a trail, in your backyard.
Most states allow this if it’s respectful and on private land or designated areas.
3. Split the ashes.
Share them between family members.
You can even turn a small amount into jewelry or keepsakes.
Whatever you choose, make it personal.
That’s where the ritual begins.
Don’t Skip the Goodbye: Write Something. Say Something.
Cremation is practical—but grief isn’t.
Even if you skip the big service, you still need a way to say goodbye.
That’s where a eulogy comes in.
A eulogy doesn’t need to be a speech.
It can be a final love letter.
A few paragraphs. A single page. Something real.
You can:
Read it alone before you scatter the ashes
Print it and keep it with the urn
Share it with your family
Or have someone else write it for you if you're too heartbroken to try
I help with that. Quietly. Professionally. Poetic if you want it. Private if you need it.
Because every goodbye deserves words.
Cremation Isn’t Cold. It’s Just New.
If this is your first time walking through death like this, know this:
You don’t have to follow tradition.
You don’t have to buy a $7,000 casket.
You don’t have to do what anyone else thinks is “right.”
What you do need is:
A plan for the ashes
A small ritual of meaning (even five minutes)
A few words that say: You mattered.
That’s it.
Need Help Writing Those Words?
I write eulogies—final love letters—for people like you.
Short or long
Honest or poetic
For you to read privately, or to share
Based in Los Angeles, serving clients worldwide. Visit: www.mementomorimemorials.com
Browse eulogy writing services → Gentle Tribute | Full Eulogy | Full Memorial Package
