A survey conducted by the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) in 2022 revealed a striking statistic: 25% of U.S. households have cremated remains of a loved one in their home. This growing trend highlights a shift in how people choose to honor and remember those who have passed. And let's be honest, who wouldn't want Aunt Betty around to keep an eye on the place?
A Shift in Tradition
Traditionally, cremated remains were interred in cemeteries, scattered in meaningful locations, or placed in columbaria. However, more families are now opting to keep their loved ones close—literally. Whether in an urn on a mantelpiece, a dedicated memorial space, or even incorporated into keepsakes like jewelry, cremated remains are finding a place within the home. Sometimes they are even tucked away in a closet or on cabinet shelf in the temporary container they came home with.
Why Are Families Keeping Cremated Remains?
Several factors contribute to this trend:
- Personal Connection – Keeping ashes at home provides a sense of closeness and comfort.
- Changing Burial Practices – The rising cost of cemetery plots and traditional burials is leading more people toward cremation and non-traditional memorialization.
- Flexibility in Memorialization – Families may delay final disposition, allowing more time to decide on a meaningful tribute. It's like having an extended deadline for a very important project.
- Cultural and Religious Shifts – With more and more folks not tied to any specific religious affiliation, attitudes toward death care and memorialization are evolving, Many view home storage as a deeply personal choice rather than a taboo. It's the ultimate way to keep loved ones close, without the awkwardness of a surprise visit.
- Container? What Container? – The survey also suggests that many people don't really care about the container. In fact, a significant number of cremated remains are stashed away in closets or cabinets in the temporary containers they came home with.
Considerations for Families
Families likely do not know all of the options available to them. Separate consumer surveys conducted by CANA have indicated this, and when they were properly informed, they were delighed to go beyond let's play the ultimate game of Hide and Seek with Aunt Betty.
Helen Stuart 1940-2015
For those who choose to keep cremated remains at home, there are important considerations:
- Legal and Practical Concerns –It’s crucial to plan for the future to ensure remains are properly handled when the home changes hands. You wouldn't want Aunt Betty to end up in a yard sale.
- Emotional Readiness – Not all family members may feel comfortable with keeping remains in the home, making open discussions important. It's a topic that might require more than one cup of coffee.
- Creative Memorial Options – Some families integrate remains into artwork, biodegradable urns, or even tree plantings as a way to honor their loved ones in a meaningful way. Imagine having Aunt Betty turned to stones and placed as part of your garden—she always did have a green thumb!
A Reflection of Changing Attitudes
The CANA survey underscores a shift in societal attitudes toward death, remembrance, and memorialization. As cremation rates continue to rise, more families are embracing personalized approaches to keeping their loved ones close. Whether in an urn on a shelf or transformed into a piece of art, cremated remains in the home are becoming a modern expression of love and remembrance. It's a trend that's here to stay, much like Aunt Betty's famous chicken cassarole recipe.
Would you consider keeping a loved one’s cremated remains at home? Or are you already part of the 25%? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
