Burial or cremation? Factors associated with preferences among patients with cancer in Brazil: a cross-sectional study

Sao Paulo Med J. 2023 May 12;141(6):e2022441. doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0441.R1.13022023. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: People living with life-limiting illnesses and their family caregivers consistently emphasize the importance of preparing for imminent death, with planned funerals being a common aspect of this preparation. Few studies have described the funeral rituals or post-mortem preferences of patients with cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the percentage of patients with cancer who wish to be cremated and to identify the factors associated with this preference.

Design and setting: Cross-sectional study conducted at Barretos Cancer Hospital.

Methods: A total of 220 patients with cancer completed a Sociodemographic and Clinical Questionnaire, the Duke University Religiosity Index, and burial or cremation preferences. Binary Logistic Regression was performed to identify independent variables associated with cremation.

Results: Of the 220 patients, 25.0% preferred cremation and 71.4% preferred burial. Talks about death with family or close friends in their daily life (odds ratio, OR = 2.89; P = 0.021), patients that answered "other" (unsure, tends not be true and not true) for religious beliefs are what really lie behind my whole approach to life (OR = 20.34; P = 0.005), and education 9 to 11 years (OR = 3.15; P = 0.019) or ≥ 12 years (OR = 3.18; P = 0.024) were associated with cremation preference.

Conclusion: Most patients with Cancer in Brazil prefer burial after death. Discussions about death, religious beliefs and involvement, and educational level seem to influence the preference for cremation. A deeper understanding of ritual funeral preferences and their associated factors may guide policies, services, and health teams in promoting the quality of dying and death.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Burial
  • Cremation*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms*