Burying the dead these days is not cheap, yet a large number of Jamaicans have continued to shy away from the much cheaper method of cremation.

The cost of doing a cremation is actually around half the cost of a traditional burial and so with cemeteries piling up, the idea of burning the dead might just be the direction in which smaller countries like Jamaica might have to go in years to come.

When THE STAR spoke to Gordon Chuck, managing director of Sam Isaacs and Sons Limited, he reasoned that a large number of Jamaicans have a stigma against the burning of the dead.

He said, however, that he believes that this is slowly changing, and there is now an increase in the number of persons doing cremations.

The major factor behind the change, Chuck said, is that it cost less than traditional burials.

"About one in three persons would do a cremation, and price is a big factor. It costs less, in years to come I think it will be a 50-50," Chuck said.

Ferdinand Madden, the CEO of Maddens Funeral Home and Crematorium, also pointed out that he has noticed an increase in the interest in of Jamaicans in cremations.

"It is a growing method of disposing of the dead in the world, and it is no different in Jamaica. What is driving most Jamaicans towards the idea is that it cuts half the cost of a conventional burial and it can be done without a service," Madden said.

An estimated cost of a cremation service is between $80,000 and just over $100,000, compared to a $250,000 and $350,000 for a traditional funeral service.

These prices, Madden said, depends on a family's request, which may include floral arrangements, printed programmes and bookmarkers.

In the meantime, when THE STAR spoke to a few persons there were mixed reactions to the possibilities of cremation.

One young man, Orlando Feanny, said that he would want to be cremated. "I think burying people in graves is just wasting land, space and those people just want to hold on to their past," Feanny said.

On the other hand, Nathan Johnson did not share that view. He believes that a person's soul would be destroyed if cremation is done. "I think the right way is burial, which is to go back to the earth," Johnson said. - C.H.