Details

Earlier this year, Choice Mutual surveyed 1,500 people over age 18 in the United States on their burial preferences. The following information represents some of their findings.

How do you plan to have your body disposed of after you die?

• Traditional burial – 35%

• Cremation – 44%

• Natural burial – 4%

• Donate to science – 6%

• Don’t have a plan/don’t care – 10%

• Other – 1%

 

Cremation – What do you want to have done with your ashes?

• My family keeps the ashes – 36%

• Ashes spread in a specific location – 40%

• Ashes mixed with soil and used to plant a tree – 10%

• Other – 14%

• Made into art
• Mausoleum
• Coral reef
• Diamond
• Glass creation
• Mixed with ink and used for a tattoo
• Pressed into vinyl record
• Turned into a firework
• 3D-printed into an object
• Launched into space

 

Cremation – Where do you want your ashes spread?

• Near water – 48%

• In nature (including water) – 65%

• Specific place (mentioned by name) – 37%

 

Why did you choose the way you plan to have your body disposed of?

• Personal belief – 47%

• Family tradition – 24%

• Financial reasons – 13%

• Religious beliefs – 11%

• Other – 5%

 

What items would/do you want to be buried with?

• Photos of loved ones – 50%

• Sports memorabilia – 7%

• Family heirloom – 14%

• Remains of loved one or pet – 19%

• Award, diploma, or medal – 7%

• Hobby-related item – 12%

• Other (or nothing) – 24%

 

For the full report, visit https://choicemutual.com/funeral-preferences.