Choosing between a burial or cremation is a deeply personal choice, often based on culture, religion, and personal preference. Many individuals might choose cremation over traditional burial for various reasons, such as cost, personal preferences, environmental concerns, and changing societal norms. Whether you know what kind of disposition is right for your loved one or you are just starting your funeral planning journey, it’s essential to know your options and make a choice that’s right for you.
What are the differences between cremation and burial?
The disposition of a body is how the body is taken care of immediately after death. There are a few options. Your loved one may have specified their desires in their final wishes, or you might be in a position where you are making that decision for them.
There are two primary methods of disposition: burial and cremation. Some religious beliefs, such as fundamental Christianity and Islam, require a grave. However, many people also prefer burials over cremation because it allows people to visit their loved one’s final resting place for years to come. On the other hand, many people prefer cremation over burial for various reasons, including economic factors, environmental concerns, cultural beliefs, and the desire to honor the deceased’s memory.
Let’s look at the process for both burials and cremation to better understand what each requires.
The Burial Process
Burials are what we traditionally think of when discussing funerals. The body is laid to rest in a casket, along with any clothes, jewelry, or souvenirs for burials.
Some of the components of burial will also apply to cremation. For instance, many choose to hold a memorial service and a viewing and have the remains cremated after. The following are just some of the essential elements to understand what the burial process looks like in many instances.
- Funeral Home: One of the first things you will need to do is select a funeral home. You will connect with a funeral director at the funeral home who will walk you through their home’s specific offerings and services. It’s important to remember you’re not obligated to accept any service you don’t want as part of your funeral package.
- Casket Selection: Casket selection is essential for a traditional funeral service. Even with a direct burial, which means your deceased loved one’s remains are buried directly into the ground, you will need to select a casket.
- Cemetery Plot Selection: When you opt for a burial, you must select a burial plot. Maybe there is a family plot already decided, but if not, you will want to choose a cemetery and location for the burial. This final resting place is most often a place that is local to the family and is easy to visit.
- Embalming: If you choose a viewing as part of your funeral arrangements, you must have your body embalmed. It is also necessary to embalm the body if you don’t plan to have the funeral immediately. We will go into further detail later on about what embalming is.
- Other Services: Some funeral homes may require you to pay for a burial vault, which protects the casket from outside elements. Others may require a grave liner, and some may require nothing – depending on your area and their local policy.
The Cremation Process and Cremated Remains
Choosing cremation is an alternative to traditional burials. Some families opt for direct cremation and hold a memorial service instead of a funeral.
Like a traditional burial, cremation begins at a funeral home. However, you can also work with a crematorium for direct cremation.
The cremation process typically takes between 1-3 hours. First, the body is heated to 1800º F to guarantee total disintegration. Next, any metal pieces remaining from the cremated remains and the ashes are sealed and placed into an airtight container.
Unless otherwise specified, you will receive the deceased’s remains in a plastic bag within a small nondescript box and then must choose a cremation urn. The ashes can weigh between 3-10 pounds, depending on the deceased’s size.
Understanding the Median Cost of Final Arrangements
Cremation and burial costs vary slightly – but not as much as you think. It all depends on what components you choose. As we noted above, there are various ways to conduct both a burial and a cremation, and average costs. Families can memorialize a loved one’s ashes in various ways, such as scattering them in meaningful locations or incorporating them into jewelry.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average funeral cost in 2021 was just under $8,000. With funeral costs on the rise, it’s essential to shop around and do your due diligence to minimize the costs of the funeral bill.
Let’s look at a cost comparison for various components of both burials and cremation services.
- Funeral Director Expenses: These professionals can plan several aspects of a funeral for you, including the less pleasant tasks of handling the deceased’s remains and preparing them for burial and viewing. Expect to pay $1500 for the most basic services fees and upwards of $6000 if you allow the funeral director to take care of these details. When working with a funeral home, you will pay a funeral director fee for burials and cremations.
- Preparation of Loved One: The national median for direct cremation with no funeral ceremony or memorial service is $775. However, many spend more on services to honor their loved one’s life. If you are holding a viewing, you may be required to embalm the body, which costs $1000.
- Casket Selection: Casket prices range from $1500 to $5,000. If you opt for cremation and wish to hold a viewing, you must rent a coffin, which can cost between $700-$1,200. An excellent way to save on caskets is to compare prices between funeral homes and online. Online retailers offer a myriad of coffins, including fully customizable caskets.
- Cremation Urn: Cremation urns can range in price from $75 for the most straightforward designs to $2,000 for more complex cremation vessels made of fine materials.
- Transportation: You must also consider transport to the site if you plan to have graveside services. These fees can average $2000 to 3000 and are typically not included in estimated funeral expenses.
- Memorial Services: Some funeral homes include the cost of memorial services in their funeral director expenses. If not, expect to pay fees for the viewing service and body preparation, about $1200. In addition, staff can hand out memorial printings, direct guests, and dispense tissues, adding another $500 to 600.
- Cemetery and Burial Expenses: The median cost for a burial plot varies depending on where you live. Some burial plots exist for as low as $250, and some as high as $50,000. Locations with high land costs will, on average, have higher burial costs. Some states require a burial vault that can add between $2000 and $3000 more.
- Flowers and Wreaths: Flowers and wreaths cost $500-$700. You can also ask family members to send flowers instead of a gift. Flowers are typically included in all services regardless of disposition.
- Headstone or Grave Marker: Headstones can cost anywhere between $2000 to $5000. Gravemarkers are flat plaques laid directly into the ground, costing around $1000. In the United States, you do not have to accept a headstone or grave marker from the funeral home and can shop for different prices.
What is Embalming?
Embalming is the chemical process of preserving the human body to delay decomposition. People may choose embalming for a variety of reasons, including:
- Hosting an open casket funeral so family members can view the body
- In the event that the body needs to be repatriated
- If it is requested by the deceased
- If there is a delay between the time of death and the final arrangements
Some choose embalming before cremation to host a viewing and provide closure to family members and loved ones.
Environmental Impact
Families and people making funeral arrangements may have different goals regarding quality and environmental impact. Let’s look at the difference between casket materials and their environmental impact, as well as the environmental impact of cremation. Choosing cremation is often considered more environmentally friendly than traditional burial.
Wooden caskets are built to last, but since they are made of the natural resources of a tree, they will decompose over time. In addition, the wood is not coated with any chemicals, so it will eventually decompose into its base elements like water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and organic matter.
Metal takes much longer to break down and return to ecological basics than wood. The metal casket is the obvious choice if you want protection from the outside elements. It can be coated with various chemicals to prevent rust and corrosion. Some coffins are hermetically sealed with a rubber gasket to provide maximum environmental protection for your loved one.
While, in recent years, cremation has been lauded as the more environmentally friendly route, some studies show that cremation releases certain toxins into the air. Cremation also requires using fossil fuels and depending on the cremation services offered. Therefore, this process could be more or less environmentally friendly.
Cremation Options
When considering cremation, it’s important to understand the different types of services available. Each option offers unique ways to honor your loved one, allowing you to choose what best fits your family’s needs and preferences.
Types of Cremation Services
- Direct Cremation: This is the most straightforward and cost-effective option. Direct cremation involves the cremation of the body without a traditional funeral service or memorial service. It allows family members to handle the cremation process with minimal ceremony, often followed by a private gathering or a later memorial service.
- Cremation with a Viewing: For those who wish to have a more traditional experience, this option includes a viewing of the body before cremation. It allows family members and friends to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes in a more personal setting.
- Cremation with a Memorial Service: This includes a memorial service after cremation. Family members and friends can gather to celebrate the life of the loved one, sharing memories and offering support to one another. This option allows for flexibility in planning the memorial service at a convenient time and place.
- Traditional Cremation: This option combines elements of burial and cremation. It includes a traditional funeral service followed by cremation. It allows for a full funeral service with the body present, providing a sense of closure before the cremation takes place.
- Alkaline Hydrolysis: Also known as water cremation, this is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation. The process uses water and chemicals to break down the body, rather than heat. It results in a similar outcome to traditional cremation but with a reduced environmental impact.
Burial Options
Burial services offer a range of options to suit different preferences and environmental considerations. Understanding these options can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your values and the wishes of your loved one.
Types of Burial Services
- Traditional Burial: This is the most common type of burial service, involving a funeral service followed by burial in a cemetery. It typically includes a viewing, a funeral service, and the interment of the body in a casket. Traditional burials provide a permanent resting place where family members can visit and pay their respects.
- Green Burial: For environmentally conscious people, green burials use biodegradable materials and aim to minimize environmental impact. The body is buried in a natural state, without embalming, in a biodegradable casket or shroud. This option supports the conservation of natural resources and the preservation of the environment.
- Natural Burial: Similar to green burial, natural burial uses natural materials and minimizes environmental impact. The body is buried in a way that allows it to decompose naturally, often in a designated natural burial ground. This option emphasizes simplicity and ecological sustainability.
- Casket Burial: This traditional option involves burying the body in a casket, which can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, or biodegradable substances. Casket burials are often chosen for their durability and the protection they offer to the body.
- Vault Burial: In this type of burial, the casket is encased in a vault, providing additional protection and security. Vaults are typically made of concrete or metal and are designed to prevent the ground from settling and to protect the casket from outside elements. This option is often required by cemeteries to maintain the integrity of the burial site.
Whether you choose cremation or burial, the most important aspect is honoring the life and legacy of your loved one. This decision is a reflection of their values and your family’s wishes, ensuring that their memory is cherished and respected.
Religious Considerations
Religious beliefs play a significant role in the decision between cremation and burial. Different faiths have varying views on these practices, so it’s important to consider these perspectives when choosing.
Religions and Cremation/Burial
- Catholic Church: The Catholic Church permits cremation, provided it is not chosen for reasons contrary to Christian teachings. However, the Church requires that the cremated remains be treated with the same respect as a body, meaning they should be buried in a cemetery or entombed in a columbarium. Scattering the ashes or keeping them at home is not permitted.
- Protestant Churches: Generally, Protestant churches are more flexible, allowing both cremation and burial. The views on cremation versus burial can vary among different denominations, so it’s advisable to consult with your specific church for guidance.
- Jewish Faith: Traditional Jewish law requires burial, as it is believed to honor the body and the soul. However, some branches of Judaism, such as Reform Judaism, may allow cremation. It’s important to consult with a rabbi to understand the specific practices and beliefs of your community.
- Islamic Faith: Islam strictly requires burial and prohibits cremation. The body is to be buried as soon as possible after death, following specific rituals and prayers. Cremation is considered disrespectful to the deceased and is not allowed under Islamic law.
- Hinduism and Buddhism: Both Hinduism and Buddhism generally encourage cremation as a way to release the soul from the body. In Hinduism, cremation is seen as a purification process, while in Buddhism, it is a way to honor the impermanence of life. However, practices can vary, and it’s best to consult with a religious leader for specific guidance.
By understanding these religious considerations, you can make a decision that respects the beliefs and traditions of your loved one and your family.
How to decide what is right for you
When choosing cremation or deciding how to honor the life of your loved one, you must do what’s suitable for your family and traditions. Whether you decide to have a traditional funeral with a burial or choose cremated remains, the decision should give you and your family a sense of ease.
If you want to learn more about burial options and cost-effective ways to save on caskets, we are here to help.
