How many people are cremated today in Great Britain?
The annual number of cremations exceeded burials for the first time in 1968. Since then cremation has increased considerably. Current figures suggest that around 70% of all funerals are cremations, with urban areas exceeding that figure. Do any religious groups forbid cremation? All Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, now allow cremation. It is also the traditional method of disposing of the dead for Sikhs, Hindus, Parsees and Buddhists. It is, however, forbidden by Orthodox Jews and Muslims. Is cremation more expensive than burial? No. Cremation and burial fees vary greatly from region to region, but cremation is usually less expensive than burial, especially when the cost of buying a grave is taken into account. The only additional charges are for doctors signatures to permit the cremation to proceed. These are necessary because there is no possibility of further examination of the body after cremation, whereas a buried body can always be exhumed if doubts e
