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?