Richmond, IN. Starmark Funeral Products recently conducted a nationwide survey of 400 people who told us they plan to be cremated upon death. Our goal was to discover their preferences with regard to cremation services, caskets and urns. However, we uncovered quite a few other interesting tidbits as well.

What People Wear to Their Cremation

Whether it's vanity or modesty, over 75% want to be clothed when cremated. In fact, most specified that they don't want to be wearing just any clothes. They want to be dressed in meaningful attire. This is regardless of whether there is a viewing planned for family and friends.

Keep It in the Family

80% of respondents would like to avoid a public viewing. On the other hand, 64% say that if given the opportunity they would appreciate a private viewing of their body by immediate family only.

Who's In Charge Here?

Our survey revealed that 79% of respondents would like to have someone - a religious leader, friend or family member - officiate or preside over their service, whether it's a full blown funeral or the simplest of memorial gatherings.

Next Time We're Going to Lease

Seventy three percent of our survey respondents were not aware that specially equipped "rental caskets" are available at most funeral homes for open or closed casket funeral services followed by cremation. This option can save families hundreds and even thousands of dollars on the funeral. Once made aware, nearly 59% thought it was important that a funeral or cremation service provider offer a rental caskets.

Location Is Everything

When asked if they would like to use a funeral home chapel for their family gathering, nearly half of those responding said they would not.

Still 54% indicated they would appreciate the opportunity to use the funeral home chapel. It appears that in the coming cremation boom there would be considerable opportunities for funeral homes to arrange cremation family gatherings at facilities other than the funeral home.

Where Will It All End?

Do cremation consumers really care where their final remains end up?

Oh, yes. But it seems to be a tough decision for them. While 77% said that they would appreciate having their remains scattered in a special place, 35% of respondents indicated that it was ultimately up to their family to decide what to do with them.

Yet, in answer to still another question, 58% responded that they would like to avoid having their remains kept with the family. In fact, only 4% would prefer to have their remains in an urn in a loved one's home.

There may be a misconception that those who choose cremation don't care about a whole lot of things that people who choose traditional funerals care about. Our survey revealed that they care deeply. They just may want to make a few different choices.