Monday, October 30, 2006 More Pinoys still prefer lot burial despite high costs
WHILE cremation is now accepted as an alternative to lawn lot burial and community vaults, only a few Cebuanos choose it to bury their loved ones, said an official from Mactan Island Memorial Garden (MIMG).
“Cremation is accepted now but because Filipinos are generally conservative, only a few have opted for it,” said MIMG chief executive officer Cesar Salimbangon.
Cremation accounts for only one percent of all memorial services undertaken by MIMG, he said.
Crematory services cost around P30,000, excluding the lease on use of a vault to contain the ashes.
Salimbangon said lawn lot burials and community vaults are still the preferred service of Cebuanos who believe that underground burial provides “eternal rest” to loved ones.
Community vaults at MIMG are priced between P70,000 and P80,000 while the average price of a lawn lot is about P100,000.
The eight-hectare MIMG has over P12,000 lawn lots, 8,000 of which have already been sold.
“Regardless of the type of burial, many are paying a lot of money to provide deceased loved ones a decent wake and burial,” Salimbangon said.
In an earlier interview, he said that since memorial park development in Cebu is a “good market” for investment, it would be “wise” for buyers to invest on memorial services now when prices are still affordable.
“People are now more conscious of their needs. They see it will be quite expensive (later),” he said.
Salimbangon said while the family-owned business is “doing well,” the company does not have immediate plans to expand. (MMM)
