Ethical Questions in Changing Funeral and Burial Practices

Abstract

There is a number of changing funeral and burial practices in society, with ethical issues arising out of them. These practices are driven by forces of change and resistance, and the ethical positions taken by a variety of groups including churches and religious groups, the funeral industry, environmental and heritage groups, memorial societies, and families. The first, and one of the most marked changes, is the rapid rise in the cremation rate. While this is not entirely a global phenomenon, it is happening in many parts of the world. In British Columbia, the high cremation rate appears to be due in part to the relative absence of strong historical traditions of burial, the western “tradition” of reaction against “eastern” traditions, a strong Memorial Society, and a combination of the other reasons why people choose cremation. Memorial societies are consumer groups which educate the public and negotiate with funeral homes on behalf of members to encourage simple, inexpensive funerals.