In the 20th and 21st centuries, burial has been the major means of saying farewell to your loved ones in America. Yet, recently, in many states cremations have begun to increase - in Nevada, cremation services stand at 74.2 percent. Time Magazine has even stated that the ratio of burials to cremations will be equal by the year 2017.
In fact, cremation services in Nevada have made serious strides in the past decades to become the cremation capitol of the United States. They outdo other high ranking states such as Texas at 32 percent and California at 56 percent. The reasons lying behind this high rate in Nevada cremation services vary. Most are the same as those for other states; others are state specific or at least amplifications of the basic rationale for increasing rates.
A Brief American History of Cremation
In the past, traditional burials were prominent in the United States. Factors such as religious beliefs and cultures remained strongly opposed to the acceptance of cremation. It was not until the late 1800s that a cremation facility set up shop in the United States. It was intended by its founder, Dr. Francis Julius Le Moyne to be for his own cremation. Built in Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1876, its first cremation was, instead, the Baron de Palma on December 6, 1876.
While the creation of a crematorium did little initially, it did spark a growth in interest in cremation. It resulted in the construction of more crematories and cremation societies. Of particular note is the Cremation Association of America (in 1975 the Cremation Association of North America) created in 1913 by Dr. Hugo Erichsen.
In the later 20th century and into the 21st, the interest in cremation began to grow. Crematories began to spring up across the United States. The first crematory to offer cremation services in Nevada was built in 1955.
Why Cremation?
Cremation can be the result of religious belief. Some faiths and cultures, such as Hinduism and Buddhism strongly support and rely on cremation as a means of treating the deceased with respect. Other faiths reject the notions such as Islam and Orthodox Jews. Various Orthodox Catholics forbid it, although the Catholic Church in general has since considered it an option since 1963. Some faiths do not stress one or the other. They leave it up to the individual to decide.
Yet, while still a personal choice, the rationale behind cremations is concrete and manifestly increasing as the opinions regarding cremation changes. In some cases, it is a reflection of the changing time - economically, emotionally and socially. In essence, the reasons for preferring cremation over burial come down to this:

• Finances
• Personal preferences
• Cultural preferences
• Religious beliefs
• Transient populations - particularly applicable to Nevada cremation services in urban centers
• Awareness of environmental issues
• Economics

According to many, the high rate of cremation services in Nevada is the result of three factors: concern with the environment, the transient nature of the population and cost.
Environmental concerns
When it comes to burials, a traditional one consumes massive amounts of energy, devours trees and takes up scarce land space. Those who prefer Nevada cremation services are very aware of the large environmental footprint left by traditional burial services. This is certainly true for those living in Las Vegas.
Transience of Life and Location
In the state of Nevada, people are aware of the transience of their location. In fact, this may explain the high cremation rate in Nevada and other Western states. Some have family out-of-state. The choice of the type of burial can deeply affect future plans. If you decide to move or want to remove the loved one, traditional burial makes it difficult physically and financially. In Nevada, cremation costs lower the overall expense of shipping the deceased to a family plot. If you decide to remain in the state, placing it in your home or another convenient place makes it easier if you need to pick up and move.
The laws regarding both the transfer of a body to another state and exhumation are not only trying, the entire process can prove far expensive than are the lower cremation costs in Nevada.
Nevada Cremation Costs - A Major Factor
When it comes to any form of funeral service, economics plays a significant role. Those considering cremation costs in Nevada are no different. Money has always been a leading actor behind many life and death choices. While in certain cases Nevada cremation costs can be more expensive than a traditional burial, in general, they are not. This is because the basic cremation costs in Nevada include those for an urn and the actual cremation.
Where a cost increase may increase results from the method of scattering the cremains/ashes. Scattering them from a plan or a boat or shooting them from a rocket can significantly increase the price. Talk to us 24/7 about your plans for cremation services in Nevada. We are there for you and will guide you through finding the most cost-effective but respectful means of scattering the cremains of your beloved.