Cremation Nation (REBROADCAST)

Cremation is hot! In New Hampshire alone more than half of those who pass away today are opting for cremation over more traditional burials. Some chose it because it's less expensive, others do it for environmental reasons, while still others site a shift in cultural and religious values. We'll explore the growing trend toward cremation, how and why it's being done, and our changing beliefs on how we choose to memorialize the dead. Mike's guests are Buddy Phaneuf, a fourth generation funeral director and President of The Cremation Society of New Hampshire. Stephen Prothero, Chairman of the Department of Religion at Boston University and author of "Purified by Fire: A History of Cremation in America".