industry buries about 1.6 million tons of concrete vaults, enough to pave a highway from New York to Detroit. As the funeral industry becomes
greener, cremation rates are expected to grow. Nationally, 34 percent of people were cremated in 2006, according to the Cremation Asso- ciation of North America (www.
cremationassociation.org). That is expected to grow to 56 percent by 2025.
The 2006 rates (latest available) vary by region. Lowest are southern states. In Mississippi, 11 percent were cremated. Western states have much higher rates. Washington’s 68 percent is second only to Nevada’s. While some families make green choices with the environment in mind, others look for savings. It’s true that a shroud can be bought for $300 and foregoing embalming can save a family $550. And a basket cas- ket at $1,200 to $2,500 costs a frac- tion of a traditional coffin. If families do go with the green option, Kent Shane, a pastor of First, said the opportunity to grieve must not be compromised. “It’s important for us to go the green route when it comes to funerals. We just need to make sure we do the grief work that we need to do during the funeral,” he said.
Retired ELCA pastor Rodney
Kastelle drove across Washington’s Pacific Ocean beach with the fam- ily of a doctor who had died. They stopped in front of the doctor’s retire- ment home, where grandchildren jumped out to draw pictures in the hard sand with their bare feet. The doctor’s favorite tunes played softly from a pickup truck. Family mem- bers shared memories they had com- ing to this same beach. Kastelle read a committal service. The widow then waded into the surf, dipped her hand into a cardboard box containing her husband’s ashes, and
threw a handful into the surf. Other family members did the same. A son then buried the box in the sand in
front of the home. “That’s what was meaningful for the family,” Kastelle said.
Download a study guide for this article (free to print/Web subscribers) at
www.thelutheran.org (click on “study guides”).
To every thing, a s there iseason.
T o view the world in this way, we are able to find deeper
meaning throughout every phase of our lives. Especially in retirement, when experiences can become more enriched and engaged.
Tis optimistic and grateful outlook on the future is the foundation of Te Arlington of Naples, the newest choice in retirement living under development by Lutheran Life Communities in southwest Florida’s acclaimed Lely Resort. Te Arlington puts Christ at the center of its mission, emphasizing a faith-based way of life for those of all beliefs and traditions.
And so, to every thing, there is a season. For you, it awaits at Te Arlington of Naples. Call today to learn more about preferred selections and pricing.
MODEL AND INFORMATION CENTER
12276 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 501, Naples, Florida 34113 (239) 206-2646 or toll-free (866) 986-9690
www.ArlingtonNaples.org The Arlington of Naples welcomes those of all faiths, beliefs and traditions.
July 2011 31
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52