Cemeteries Vs. Graveyards: What's The Difference?

Although burial of the deceased was the preference for many years in America, increasingly, people are opting for cremation. The Washington Post reports that cremation has actually overtaken burial in terms of "final disposition."

The numbers are clear: The Post cites figures from the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), which reports that in 2020, 56% of deceased Americans were cremated, more than twice the 27% around 2000. The association is estimating that by 2040, cremations will reach 80%. Japan already sees nearly 100% cremations.

What to do with cremated remains is, of course, an issue. Presently, CANA estimates, some 20% to 40% of cremated remains end up in a cemetery or graveyard, either buried or in a columbarium, a sort of chambered area for urns, not unlike a bank's safe deposit boxes. The rest? Many times the ashes are scattered, or the urn ends up in a closet or on a shelf somewhere besides a graveyard. Or a cemetery.

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