Alberta and cremations

August 7, 2010
Statistics show many Albertans are eschewing traditional burials and are now far more likely to choose cremation when life comes to an end. Burial numbers are slowly dropping in the province while cremations rose more than 65% in the last 12 years. Last year there were 13,122 cremations compared to 7,844 burials.
Funeral directors are in agreement as to why this is happening. Public view of cremation has changed over the last 2 decades while funeral homes have agreed to offer a greater variety of services.
Alberta's population is often transplanted from other provinces. Cremation makes it easier to transport remains to the birth place of the deceased.
Money can sometimes be a factor as there is a perception that cremation is cheaper than burial (although that is not necessarily the case)
Some people believe that it's not the price but personal preferance that dictates the choice.
In one generation families have changed from burial to choosing cremation.
Perhaps it also has to do with only having one city managed cemetary in Calgary that still offers burial plots. There are a number of private cemetaries around the city. This might mean having no choice but to buy a plot located many miles from the family residence.
The city of Calgary has been looking for a new site for many years but the prohibitive land costs in Calgary have made this very difficult. Perhaps the downturn in the economy will make affordable land available.
New regulations have made it possible to bury 2 caskets and up to 10 urns in one plot.
The decision to cremate or bury may also be split along an urban or rural divide. Rural communities tend to be more traditional.
Some of the cremation trend might be due to immigrant communities as some cremate for religious reasons.
Some communities report increase in cremation as people struggle with economic downturn.
Regardless, the trend continues .
The question is: Is this a permanent transition in our society?

Religions of the world regarding cremation

The Baha'i Faith
The Baha'i faith is an independent world religion, which began in Persia on May 23, 1844. Bah'u'llah, the prophet founder of the Baha'i faith has declared the fundamental principles which are the oneness of God, the oneness of religion and the oneness of humankind. The language of the Baha'i Faith was originally Arabic.
The Baha'is wish is to have a comforting and dignified funeral. The deceased is not to be embalmed. Cremation is forbidden. Internment is to occur within one hours travel time from where the death occurred. Baha'is may donate their bodies or organs to medical science, but provisions must be in place to treat the deceased with dignity and bury the remains within one hours travel time from the place of death.

Austrian Tradition

The Austrian village of Hallstatt is located between a mountain and a lake, so therefore has very limited burial space. To solve this problem they would allow for the remains of their dead to lie in the cemetery for only 12 years. When that time was up the bones would be exhumed and moved to a charnel, but the skull would be kept. It would be tastefully decorated with the name of the deceased, a cross and plants. It would then be displayed in a chapel. Although creamtion has now been allowed in the village this custom still takes place.

Traditions from around the world

Vietnam
In Northern Vietnam the deceased are buried in the land in which they lived. They will generally be laid to rest in the middle of a rice paddy. After two years, the deceased's family will dig up the body, clean all the bones, and then rebury the body in the family garden.

Canadian Identity?

I was recently listening to CBC 1. I like to listen to "Q" with Jian Ghomeshi in the morning. This particular interview was with "Seth" a world reknown graphic novel artist form Guelph, Ontario. He was talking about how he collects the work of Doug Wright a Canadian cartoonist from the 50's and 60's. One of the comments that Doug Wright made in his day was: If it's from Canada it must be second rate."
I thought about this, and yes as a child I always felt that if it was from any where else it was better.
Canada came into it's own since the 80's with promotions such as BUY CANADIAN. Since the advent of the internet and EBAY does any one ever consider any more where things come from?
I am proud to run a business that buys only from Canadian artists. It's rough to make a living in our society as an artist let alone make a living as a Canadian artist. Almost impossible. Students are so hyped after graduation from art school only to be forced to put bread on their table by becoming a mail man or such. Does any one think about that we are putting food on the table of Canadian artists when buying Canadian art? Does any one care? Has the advent of internet shopping killed the idea that everyone of us has an effect on the economy of our own country. It's all grand to say we have a thriving arts and culture community in Canada but it won't be for long if it's propped up by grants from the government and left to wane by the individuals who make the decisions about where to spend their money. Do you ever think about this? What do you do about it?

Who chooses cremation and Why? I'm learning from people I know. I understand that Native people prefer a casket. Jewish people just don't go there and of Oriental people 90% prefer traditional burial. Any opther facts that I should know about?

Which do you prefer?

Recently had an appointment with a funeral home to place our urns in their showroom. While visiting an interesting comment came up. They felt that most people look and are interested in the funky unusual urns but when it comes to choosing for aunt Mable the final decision is always with the more traditional shape. Is this so? Please consider carefully and leave me your comment. The world of cremation and urns is a changing. We are forging the way and I always find it so interesting to see what people like, think they like but ultimately choose something else.