The percentage of people who choose cremation over burials is increasing — by 2017, the National Funeral Directors Association estimates that around 56% of the deceased will be cremated. Why? Well, there’s no one answer, but there are a few common reasons that factor into the decision to cremate.

• It’s considerate of the world around us. Each year, there are approximately 2,400,000 funerals in the U.S. While a burial requires an entire plot, ash containers can be kept in one’s own home, and take up much less space. The urn of someone who is 150 pounds, for instance, would only need to hold about 150 cubic inches, perhaps slightly more. The ashes of a