How to Choose Between Burial and Cremation: Key...

How to Choose Between Burial and Cremation: Key Factors to Consider

When planning a funeral - whether it's preneed or at-need - one of the many decisions you'll face is whether to choose burial or cremation. While other methods of final disposition exist, like donation to science, natural organic reduction or entombment, burial and cremation remain the most common choices. Personal values and beliefs often shape this choice, however, emotional, financial and cultural considerations also play an important role. In this blog post, we'll break down the main differences and key considerations to help you choose with confidence.

Understanding the Basic Differences

What is the Burial Process?

Burial involves placing the body in the ground, usually in a cemetery or other designated burial location. The body is typically enclosed in a box used for viewing called a casket (sometimes called a coffin). The casket is lowered into a burial vault, which is a lined and sealed outer receptacle that houses the casket, protecting it from damage.

A traditional burial takes place inside a cemetery plot, which is essentially a small piece of land. However, when you purchase a cemetery plot, you aren't actually taking ownership of a tiny piece of real estate! The cemetery's physical property remains in the hands of the landowner. Instead, you're buying the right to bury someone in the dedicated space you reserved.

Families often choose cemetery burial for a permanent, physical location they can visit to remember their loved one and the opportunity for a more traditional and familiar type of funeral service.

The burial process generally includes:

• Preparing the body: This includes transporting the body to the funeral home, where services may include embalming (optional, depending on family preference or legal requirements), as well as dressing and cosmetology for viewing.
• Selecting a casket:Caskets are available in a wide range of materials, styles and prices. Some families may opt for a rental casket if a viewing is planned before cremation.
• Arranging the funeral or memorial service:Families typically work closely with a funeral director of their funeral home of choice, who will walk them through the planning process, whether it's a traditional funeral with visitation, a graveside service or a memorial held separately from the burial. The funeral director will help families select a venue, officiant, music, readings and coordinate guests.
• Coordinating the burial site: Families can choose from a cemetery plot, an above-ground mausoleum vault or a green burial site. This involves coordinating with the cemetery for opening and closing the grave and any specific requirements or permits.
• Interring the body: This is the act of placing the body in its final resting place, whether included as part of a traditional funeral service or in a private family burial.
• Closing the grave and marking the site: After burial, the grave is filled and settled, and a permanent marker, headstone or monument is selected and installed.
  
  

What is the Cremation Process?

Cremation uses high heat to reduce the body to ashes, which are stored in a container called an urn. The remains may then be buried, kept or scattered in a meaningful location.

Because the process does not require immediate burial, families have the flexibility of having a memorial, celebration of life or scattering of the cremated remains later - allowing more time for personal reflection, coordination of details or for loved ones to travel from afar.

When people think of cremation, they often imagine direct cremation - a process in which the deceased is cremated without a viewing or service beforehand. While this is an option, it's just one of several ways cremation can be incorporated into a meaningful funeral plan. Below are a few options if you choose cremation:

• A funeral or memorial service and traditional casket viewing before the cremation.
• Cremation before a funeral or memorial service.
• Cremation with a funeral or memorial service and burial in a cemetery or other final resting place

Understanding the full range of cremation options ensures families can choose the option that best reflects their values, traditions and budget - whether that's direct cremation, cremation with a service or cremation and a permanent place of remembrance.

While additional steps such as embalming, cosmetology and the selection of a rental casket may be necessary for a viewing or ceremony, the basic cremation process generally includes:

• Preparing the body: This includes transporting the body to the crematory, where any medical devices (i.e., pacemakers) or other items that could be hazardous in the cremation chamber are removed. The body is then placed in a combustible, rigid container or casket.
• The cremation: The container is placed in the cremation chamber, where it is heated to between 1,400 and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. The process usually takes one to three hours, depending on the size of the individual and the type of container used.
• Processing the cremated remains:Once completed, any metal remnants (i.e., surgical implants, jewelry, etc.) are removed and remaining bone fragments are processed into a fine, sand-like texture, which is referred to as cremated remains. The cremated remains are placed in a basic container and returned to the funeral home. They are then given to the family or, if a specific urn has been selected, the funeral provider will transfer the remains into it before returning to the family.

Cremation costs are often lower than burial because there are fewer physical products involved, though urns, memorial services or any type of keepsake, like cremation jewelry, can add to the total costs. Explore average cremation costs.

Additional details and expenses families may want to consider:

• Transportation of the body to the funeral home and cemetery
• Legal paperwork such as death certificates and burial permits
• Coordination with clergy or celebrants
• Floral arrangements and obituary notices
• Post-funeral gatherings or receptions

View a more detailed list of potential funeral expenses in in this blog post.

KEY INFLUENCES ON A FAMILY'S DECISION

Cultural and Religious Beliefs

Cultural beliefs, religious traditions and personal preferences all deeply impact the choice of final disposition.

• Some families place great importance on having a physical location where loved ones can visit, reflect and find comfort in a tangible place of remembrance. It also serves as a permanent and lasting marker of a person's life - creating a connection across future generations.
• Cultural and religious traditions often provide clear guidelines or expectations about how to honor the deceased, and these customs can strongly influence a family's decision. Some faiths have specific rites regarding burial or prohibit certain practices, while others don't outline certain practices or preferences. On the other hand, a growing demographic in the United States called the "nones" seek non-religious services focused on celebrating the impact of a loved one's life.
• A person's lifestyle and fundamental values also come into play. Perhaps someone lived a simple, environmentally conscious life, which may make options such as cremation or natural burial more appealing. Others may prioritize tradition or symbolism, favoring a more formal burial with a gravesite.

Financial Considerations

Cost can be a major factor for many families when making decisions about final disposition. Understanding the various expenses involved is important. A funeral director will gently guide families through the planning process, helping them understand their options and supporting them in personalizing a plan that feels right for their unique needs and wishes.

• Burial costs generally include multiple components - the purchase of a casket, a burial vault, the cemetery plot or gravesite, fees for opening and closing the grave and the headstone or marker. Burial is often selected along with a funeral or memorial service and the cost of all these things can add up quickly.
• Cremation costs typically include the cremation process and the purchase of an urn to hold the cremated remains. If a funeral or memorial service is desired - or even burial of the ashes - those additional expenses should also be considered. However, because some of these elements are optional or not necessary at all, cremation often provides more flexible and potentially lower-cost alternatives.

Regardless of your budget, you can still plan a meaningful and affordable service to honor your life or that of your loved one. Many funeral homes offer packages or options designed to accommodate different budgets. Your funeral director will be able to provide clear and detailed information on services and their associated costs so you can compare your options and make a fully informed decision. A funeral cost checklist can be a useful resource to help you prepare and avoid any unexpected expenses.

Preplanning your funeral is another way to ensure your final wishes are met, providing you with peace of mind that you're helping eliminate the financial and emotional burden on your loved ones. Unsure about the idea of preplanning your funeral or nervous about talking to your family about preneed? Rest assured, it's normal to feel hesitant! We have lots of useful information and downloadable resources to help ease your concerns and begin the process when you're ready.

Environmental Impact

In recent years, green burials and eco-friendly cremation options, such as water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis), have grown in popularity as families consider the environmental footprint of disposition. These alternatives focus on reducing chemical use, conserving natural resources and minimizing carbon emissions. Green burials, for example, avoid embalming and use biodegradable caskets or shrouds, allowing the body to return naturally to the earth. Eco-friendly cremation methods offer families meaningful choices that align with their environmental values while honoring their loved ones.

Learn more about eco-friendly cremation options and sustainable funeral planning to understand both cost and environmental benefits.

Timing and Flexibility in Memorialization

Timing of services is an important consideration for families during a difficult time. Coordinating and sharing details for a funeral service that often takes place within just a few days of a loved one's passing can be challenging. Many family members and close friends may need to travel from out of town, which requires quick communication and planning to ensure everyone can attend if they wish. Balancing the desire for a timely farewell with the need to accommodate travel schedules and personal circumstances can add complexity to the process.

Most typical burials take place within one week of death, providing less flexibility for the timing of the funeral or memorial service. Cremation often provides more flexibility for families to plan meaningful memorials at a later date. After choosing cremation, many families find comfort in having the option to hold a later burial or interment ceremony.

Ultimately, at the heart of every decision you make is honoring the impact your loved one had on others in a way that feels meaningful and true to their life and values. It's about finding comfort in tradition or embracing new ways to remember them, all while supporting each other as you navigate this difficult time. Whichever path you choose, the love and intention behind it that will help bring you peace and comfort when remembering your loved one.

Learn more about burial vs. cremation services or discover memorial service ideas and celebration of life inspirations to honor a loved one in a meaningful way.