WEST MICHIGAN — FOX 17 takes an in-depth look at the shifting trends in the funeral market in West Michigan. Roughly 900,000 cremations took place in 2009, up 17% from 1999.
This has prompted an increase in casket rentals, which local funeral directors say can help cut costs exponentially if a loved one is being cremated.
Even if it’s not cremation, funeral directors say the trends are moving away from traditional funerals.
“They make shotgun shells with cremated remains in them for dad to go out and go hunting one more time. They make fireworks; you can have him shot to the moon. Literally the sky is the limit,” said Jill Nelson, funeral director at Stegenga Funeral Home in Belmont.
