(CLO) The number of Italians choosing cremation over traditional burial after death has skyrocketed due to cultural changes and, in particular, high costs.
For a long time, Italians have had a tradition of burying the deceased underground or in tombs, reflecting the influence of the Catholic Church. But nowadays, cremation is the more popular choice.
In 2023, 252,075 people were cremated in Italy, representing 38% of all deaths, a sharp increase from less than 3% in 1995 when the funeral association Utilitalia SEFIT began collecting data.
A panoramic view of the Rome War Cemetery. Photo: Reuters
Professor of Cultural Anthropology Alessandro Gusman at the University of Turin said: "Regular cemetery visits are no longer a weekly or monthly activity because we now live in a society that pays less attention to the afterlife ."
Many Italians choose cremation because placing the urn in a cemetery niche requires less maintenance and saves time compared to traditional burial, reducing the burden on loved ones.
Cremation is generally cheaper than burial in terms of coffin and land costs. A single cremation costs a maximum of 731 euros, mostly provided by private companies, as regulated by the Italian Ministry of Health . Meanwhile, the price for a burial can reach thousands of euros.
Another reason is to avoid the need to exhume and move the body from the cemetery. In Italy, this is mandatory in most cases after 10 or 20 years of burial. The process is often distressing for the relatives attending the event.
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chi-phi-cao-khien-ngay-cang-nhieu-nguoi-y-chon-hoa-tang-thay-vi-chon-cat-post319524.html
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