THE bad economy is even taking a toll on the dead. More financially pressed families are opting for the lower-cost alternative of cremation, as opposed to in-the-ground burials, for their loved ones, industry experts say.
“Our cremations are up more than normal . . . [and] you can blame the economy for the bigger increase,” said Don Williams, vice president of Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx.
Williams said that while the number of cremations at Woodlawn has typically risen by about 100 a year, the figure will jump by more than 300 this year.
The same thing is happening at Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery.
“We’ve had a steady increase each year. But this year, we’ve had a nice increase over last year,” said Gene Adamo, vice president of administration.
While a 10 percent annual increase has been the cemetery’s norm, this year cremations are already up 29 percent at Green-Wood, Adamo said.
A no-frills cremation will set you back about $400, or less than your economic-stimulus check.
Meanwhile, a low-end crypt will typically run a family about $8,500, and a plot of land to bury two people – double-decker style – will set you back about $5,000.
At those prices, it’s no wonder people are being frugal in this era of cutbacks. Still, the trend toward cremation has been growing for a while. The Cremation Association of North America said the number of families opting out of traditional burials climbed 30 to 33 percent between 2004 and 2006.
There are no figures yet for 2007 or 2008, so it’s unclear whether the even higher current trend in the New York area is being seen across the country, where the cost of living – and dying – is cheaper.
But Bobby Genovese, owner of North America’s largest cremation company, The Neptune Society, said the number of people booking ahead for cremations is up “very sharply” this year. “We just had our best month ever,” he said. “We pre-sold roughly 5,200 contracts nationwide.”
Typically, he said, the number would be 30 percent less.
Yogi Berra was once asked by his wife, Carmen, where he wanted to be buried.
“Surprise me,” he said.
If you want an in-ground burial and don’t want to be surprised, you might want to make your personal preference known – at least until the recession ends.