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Cremation was not an instant hit among the Cebuanos.
Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes Inc. introduced the alternative method of burying the dead 15 years ago.
But the number of families requesting for cremation services has been increasing albeit at a slow rate, said Sarah Dychangco-Gothong, Cosmopolitan vice president for finance.
At present, Cosmopolitan has an average of 15 to 20 clients per month.
Cremation is an alternative to the traditional practice of casketed burial for the departed loved ones.
The process involves exposing the body to extreme heat, usually 1,800 -2,000 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two hours.
The cremation takes place in a crematorium.
The Cosmopolitan is the only funeral home in Cebu City which has its own crematories.
Its first crematory was set up in the funeral home's downtown branch along Junquera Street, Cebu City, and has been serving families for almost 15 years.
Its second and more modern crematory was set up five years ago at Cosmopolitan’s branch in Nivel Hills, barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
“There is not much requests for cremation than that of the traditional viewing services. Most often than not, our servicing families still prefer viewing their loved one for a number of days prior to final burial,” Dychangco-Gothong said.
But cremation is not necessarily cheaper than the traditional burial practice.
“It may be the case if the family opts to have a direct cremation. However, if a family selects a package that includes viewing prior to cremation then pricing will vary,” Dychangco-Gothong said.
The Cosmopolitan offers various packages for cremation. Packages differ in the selection of types of chapel, urns, hearses, floral pieces, among others.
Cremation services differ per Cosmopolitan branch – basic cremation could be offered to as low as P30,000.
As for the traditional burial practice, Cosmopolitan packages also differ depending on the types of chapel, embalming chemicals, casket, hearses, floral pieces and extent of personalization created for the funeral, among others.
“In Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes, we provide our families with options that are personalized and customized to suit their wants and needs,” Dychangco-Gothong said.
According to Dychangco-Gothong, setting up the crematorium was a big investment.
Competition for cremation is not, however, as stiff with other funeral homes in Cebu City due to fewer demand.
