Many don’t care for the symbolism.
Others refer to Jewish religious requirements specifying burial, since Christianity did arise out of Judaism.
Me, I’ll be buried facing east in the old family cemetery alongside all the family I’ve known and loved. The cost has gotten truly excessive though.
Reversion back to the simple, quick Jewish burial in a pine box would nip a great deal of that cost in the bud, but then there’s the vault required by law in many jurisdictions, that is pushing $2,000 by itself, regardless of whether there is embalming and a nice casket or not.
So, I guess I’d say I don’t really like the practice, wouldn’t do it myself, would be uncomfortable if anyone I loved chose to be cremated, but won’t condemn someone else who chooses it, due to the cost of traditional burial or some other consideration.
I don’t see that it is forbidden or condemned, Biblically. It does make me uneasy, though.
We buried my brother in a homemade pine box. Not in LA County, and maybe that’s why it was easy and fine with the cemetery. My other brother made it.
Pre-paying for funerals helps to reduce expenses (today’s prices vs. tomorrow’s inflation) and where I plan to have my remains buried, I was told there is room to fit cremated remains of others along with me so perhaps several could pitch in for one traditional burial plot and then be a gravesite for 6-8 people. That would certainly cut down on costs.