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More Americans Choosing Cremation Over Standard Burial

By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Statistics show that many more Americans are choosing cremation over standard burials for various reasons. One local expert advises you to plan ahead because you may think you are saving your family money by selecting cremation, but that is not always the case.

"Just because it's a cremation doesn't necessarily mean that it will be less expensive because of what people choose," explains T.J. Fluehr, owner and supervisor of Harold B. Mulligan Funeral Home in Northeast Philadelphia.

Fluehr says more people are opting for cremation than in years past but choosing to add elements to the funeral cost more than families may be prepared for.

"There are people who are choosing simpler services, which can affect the cost to the families. But if you are personalizing the services, you might be spending the cost at a cemetery, but you may be choosing other things that add to that cost as well," Fluehr said.

Fluehr says the current trend is moving away from a standard funeral for a more personalized presentation that includes videos, online obituaries, picture galleries and printed materials. He says this is why it is important to people plan ahead.

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