By Deb Buehler
Just as baby boomers are influencing many facets of aging, they are also creating a shift in end of life decisions such as funerals. From preplanning to cremation or burial to the funeral service itself they are influencing more personalized approaches.
“Advanced planning and cemetery planning has become more popular,” said Michelle Haslock, director of sales and preplanning specialist for Leppert Mortuary & Crematory. “Surveys show that today, people are careful planners concerned about preparing for their future needs. As part of their concerns, they have questions regarding cemetery and funeral arrangements and their related costs.”
She said the reasons people choose to preplan is as varied as the individuals themselves, but an incredible 50 percent of adults between age 50 and 74 have preplanned. Preplanning guarantees that
you get what you want, save money and lessen anxiety, expense and burden on surviving loved ones. Preplanning offers peace of mind while making personalization possible.
Jim Shirley, vice president and funeral director at Shirley Brothers said that preplanning really begins with conversations around the dining room table. Informal conversations help family members understand the wishes of their loved one in advance of a death. Conversations like these help family members understand each other’s wishes. He added that it is harder for surviving family members when they don’t know what their loved one would have liked.
Somber to celebration
Shirley stated that the traditional dimly lit room with organ music of the past has been replaced by multi-media videos and music reflecting the life and death of loved ones.
“Today, people are planning funeral services that are as unique as the person who died,” added Haslock. “The personalization has resulted in an explosion of unique services that reflect hobbies, passions and interests of the deceased.”
Last year, Leppert added funeral plans with Celebration of Life products such as collage photos, photo sign-in boards instead of registration books and other personalized printed materials. They also included the availability of a certified funeral celebrant to officiate a more personalized service.
Celebrants have been specifically trained to design a service that is completely personal; incorporating unique stories, family-selected music, and sharing of experiences that defined the loved one and their legacy. Celebrants take time to meet with surviving family members, for as long as needed, to gather important memories, anecdotes and defining moments of the individual’s life. From this meeting the celebration of life becomes a shared experience that includes participation of family members in telling the life story of their loved one.
“Celebrants have a sound background in history of ritual, ceremony and funeral traditions in many cultures and religions,” Haslock added. “I often hear people say that celebrants are only for families without faith, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether a family is secular, religious, spiritual or interfaith, or if they simply wish to express themselves in a manner of their own choosing, a celebrant can help create a meaningful end of life tribute.”
Technology has offered the industry additional capabilities. Memorial services can be video or audio taped or even broadcast live online enabling family members who are too far away or infirmed to attend a service to participate from a remote location. Funeral homes can also record a DVD for a family to have as a keepsake. Both resources adding to the sense of highly personalized funeral services.
Cremation versus burial
“The most recognizable trend in the industry is the increase in cremation as opposed to burial,” Shirley said. “Most families are still celebrating the life of their loved one with the body present for services but are now choosing cremation after the service.”
Shirley believes that there is real benefit for family members to see their loved one once more. He said this helps us accept that a death has occurred – seeing with our own eyes helps us move through the early stages of grief.
Haslock noted a study by the Cremation Association of North America which forecast that by the years 2017 or 2018 50 percent of U.S. residents would be cremated when they die. As popularity of cremation has grown, so has its acceptance among various faiths. Religions that previously frowned upon cremation are now understanding its value to families and adjusting accordingly.
Cemeteries in Hamilton County and across the country are seeing other implications from the increase in cremation. Not every family chooses to inter cremains; instead keeping them or sprinkling them. As a result, there are fewer burials (and lower revenues). This has driven the cost of burials up to accommodate the change in demand.
“Cemeteries may be struggling to remain relevant and provide the same services,” Shirley explained. “Some are addressing this challenge with the addition of columbaria or niches for the placement of cremains.”
Responding with compassion
Whether cremation or burial, funeral service or celebration of life, funeral homes continue to seek ways to be responsive while providing the highest quality of care. As Hamilton County continues to experience growth including richly diverse cultures there are opportunities for funeral homes to support traditions, religious diversity and new preferences while honoring loved ones.
“We focus on doing one thing; helping families through the loss of a love one,” Shirley said. “We remain open-minded and work to accommodate people’s unique wishes. We want to provide the best service for families to remember and celebrated a loved one.”
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