If the period of All Saints' Day, and the day of the deceased, remain dates anchored in tradition, funeral practices have evolved considerably. In Guadeloupe, the share of cremation continues to increase.
More and more people are choosing cremation for their funerals. In Guadeloupe, many families forgo burial, preferring cremation to a traditional funeral. Those who choose cremation generally do not do so for a question of cost or spirituality.
This may be because they do not have a grave, or because it is complicated in families to have one parent who is willing to give way to the other for a burial. This can also be due to the wishes of the deceased, because this is prepared in advance.
Yolaine Biras-Rosier, head of funeral directors
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©Rudy Rilcy
In Guadeloupe, the share of cremation continues to increase: in 2023, nearly 600 cremations were carried out in the archipelago, or around forty more than in 2022. Contrary to popular belief, cremation is not necessarily cheaper than a traditional funeral. It can even represent a larger budget. According to professionals in the sector, it costs, on average, between 2000 and 5000 euros for a cremation. Several parameters can change the cost of cremation.
It depends on whether we have to hold a vigil, whether we have to meditate for longer. There is also the type of coffin that is taken into account: everything depends on the family's choice.
Yolaine Biras-Rosier, head of funeral directors
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©Rudy Rilcy
Although burial or burial is the traditional choice of Christians: today, according to Catholic rites, cremation is not prohibited:
If I follow the Church's approach, I am more in favor of burying the body in the cemetery than being cremated. But everyone is free to live and think what they want for their funeral.
Alfred Lavital, parish priest of Port-Louis
(Re)listen to Eddy-Édouard Zelbin, specialist in funeral practices. He answers questions from Ludivine Guiolet, in the television news broadcast on November 2:
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