Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries on the growing popularity of cremation– LIVING WELL Magazine

Serving the community’s changing needs

Cremation popularity increases, memorialization options expand

Courtesy Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries, New Orleans LIVING WELL Magazine

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries has been serving the New Orleans community since 1979. Over those years, families’ funeral and cemetery preferences have changed, ever-evolving – like clothing fashions, hairstyles and music – to reflect each new generation’s choices.

One of the biggest changes is the steadily increasing popularity of cremation. Today, nearly one-half of all funerals include cremation. So, why are more people choosing cremation? Here are the main reasons:

  • Weakened ties to tradition. Some people prefer to avoid the “typical” funeral experience and choose something non-traditional.
  • Increased education: people are more knowledgeable about cremation.
  • Looser religious restrictions.
  • Increased mobility of American families
  • Cremation is an eco-friendly alternative to burial.

The choice for cremation isn’t the only rising statistic. Baby boomers, the approximately 78.2 million people born between 1946 and 1964, are aging. The oldest boomers started turning 60 in 2006. More and more of them are making end-of-life arrangements for their parents, plus preplanning for themselves.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home professionals are aware of these statistics. Dedicated to providing what families want, they are educated on the many cremation options available, can answers customers’ inquiries and better serve families’ needs.

Often, families choose cremation because they are not aware of their options. Knowing that families look to them as the experts, Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home professionals are dedicated to educating the cremation family about their options and offering them value-added services to care for and memorialize their loved one.

Arrangers take the time to explain what’s available. For example, a family chose cremation for their loved one and expressed the desire to scatter the remains. The arranger explained that additional offerings were available, such as holding a personalized gathering and permanently memorializing the deceased with a niche in the cemetery. The family subsequently decided to celebrate their loved one’s life with a gathering, and chose a permanent place to visit their loved one, thereby preserving the legacy for generations to come.

Arrangers take the time to inform families of all of their options so that they get what they actually want. They explain that choosing cremation in no way eliminates the choice of combining the cremation with a traditional or personalized service. Many families know the importance of holding funeral services to help the bereaved family heal and to reflect and say goodbye to someone dearly loved.

Nearly 50% of cremation families currently choose to take the cremated remains away from the cemetery for scattering or storage. Because a very high percentage of those who intended to scatter do not follow through after five years, arrangers ask families to consider a permanent resting place for their loved one, a place the family, kids and grandkids can visit and share lasting memories.

While preferences may change on how to care for a loved one at the end of life, one thing remains the same: Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries’ commitment to providing families with caring, quality, knowledgeable and professional service.

For more information on cremation or on funeral or cemetery services, contact Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries at www.lakelawnmetairie.com, 486-6331, or visit 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans.