Personalized Funerals

I wrote recently about the ultra-customization of all sorts of products and services, and how everything seems to be moving towards a niche market. People are demanding personalized services, such as this USA Today article discusses: Personalized Funerals.

This US trend is only just beginning. Options include sending ashes into space, using the ashes to create a cultivated diamond, and creating an artificial coral reef from the ashes. Customized caskets & memorial services, both created to represent the life of the deceased, are also increasingly popular. The trend is said to be because of the demands of the baby boomers.

Cremation is becoming increasingly popular, and it is estimated that over 40% of Americans will choose cremation by 2025.

In a comparison with Mexico, we recently had a death in the family, and I was amazed at the difference in the actions that we took. Once the body arrived to the funeral home, it was placed in a casket in a room that was for our family and friends. This occurred at about 9pm. Many people stayed all night long, others left late and returned early. Every once in a while a family member would recite the rosary. We were there until the scheduled cremation at about 2pm the following day. After the cremation was complete, we received the urn, and we all left. Most of Mexico is Catholic, and it is customary to have 9 days of mass following a death.

I don't see it likely that Mexico will follow this funeral personalization trend any time soon.

Technorati tags: Funerals, Cremation