Are you thinking about what you want to happen to your body after you die? Are you stuck in deciding whether you want a burial or cremation? To help you out, we’ve got a list of the pros and cons of cremation and burial below.
The ongoing health crisis put a lens on the value of human life. It also made many people think about what will happen to them when they die. Morbid as it is, it’s always good if you have a plan about what will happen when you die.
In this guide, we’ll talk about two popular ways of dealing with a person’s body after death. We hope that you know the best choice for you by the end of the article. Keep reading to learn if cremation or burial is the best choice for you.
Pros of Burials
If you want a quiet place to visit the remains of a loved one, a burial service is a good choice. It’s also the more accepted choice for many people. Burial services also give people time to visit and say goodbye to the deceased.
Many cultures and religious traditions also approve of or prescribe a full-body burial. A traditional burial practice offers minimal effects or alterations on the body. You can also find sustainable and eco-friendly burial options.
Cons of Burials
If the family is on a budget must choose to get a cremation or burial, which is cheaper? If you want to give a deceased loved one a proper burial, you’ll need to have a bigger budget. Burials are more expensive because of the preparations needed to make them possible.
You have a choice to get a low-cost burial. However, this involves creating the casket by hand or picking a cheaper model from the funeral home. Let’s not forget that there are rules family members must follow when they visit a cemetery.
Finally, a burial needs to get done in a short amount of time for safety and sanitary reasons.
Pros of Cremations
Almost half a decade ago, 50.2% of funerals were cremations. This is because it’s more practical to opt for a cremation budget-wise. A premium cremation urn will cost almost as much as or less than the lowest-tier caskets.
The family of the deceased also has more personalization choices and disposition options. Depending on the wishes of the deceased, the ashes can get moved, scattered, or kept at home. It’s also easier to travel with the remains, especially if you want to hold a gathering or memorial service.
A cremation also lets the family pick a combination of options. For example, you can still hold a traditional funeral service for the deceased. However, instead of burying a casket with a body inside it, the urn with the cremated remains will get buried.
Cons of Cremations
The disadvantage of cremations is that not all cultures or religions accept it. Also, despite its growing popularity, it’s not available yet in certain places. Even if you want a practical or cost-effective option, you may not have the access to it.
Burial Process
Before we talk about the pros and cons of a burial or cremation, let’s take a closer look at each one first. We started burying our dead about 130,000 years ago as a form of religious practice. According to some beliefs, burying the dead will also affect what happens to a person after death.
Before burial, the funeral staff will bathe and disinfect the body. This serves as a protection to the funeral staff and visiting friends and family. It also provides a measure of dignity and respect for the deceased.
The body can get embalmed or placed in refrigeration. The latter will only occur if the deceased needs to get transported to another state. Often, the funeral provider will take care of the transportation arrangements.
If the body must get embalmed, a licensed embalmer will perform the service. No state law requires embalming, but it may be necessary if the burial will get delayed. If viewing is a part of the process, the family will choose the deceased’s clothing and mementos.
After the service, the deceased will get transported to a cemetery or gravesite. If the family chose a graveside service, the departed won’t need further transportation. The burial with then occur next.
Cremation Process
Cremation is for families who want to keep the ashes of the deceased close by. It’s typical for funeral directors to wait up to 48 hours between the time of death and cremation. During this time, officials will complete authorization forms and collect the necessary permits.
The waiting period often depends on the state. Also, note that cremation laws vary from state to state. If the deceased needs to get transported, the family must follow certain regulations.
Before the cremation, friends and family members can say goodbye or conduct a service. If a funeral service occurs, the family can collect valuables after the service. These items include jewelry and other personal objects included in the viewing.
Every cremation occurs in isolation. The staff places the casket in the cremation chamber first. This chamber has temperatures between 1,400 and 1,800 F to ensure all remains get processed.
Depending on the size and weight of the body, the cremation process can take between 1-3 hours. After the body gets processed, a cooling period will occur. This allows the staff to collect the ashes, which are white and often weigh 3-9 pounds.
Unless specified, the urn that houses the remains will return to the family. Some families may request that the remains go to a cemetery, mausoleum, or funeral home. If you want an alternative to cremation or burial, learn about water cremation right here.
Burial or Cremation: Which Is Better?
This year, the US has had almost 300,000 excess deaths than the average mortality rate. A large cause for this is the current pandemic. While this is the case, each death deserves a proper farewell.
When choosing whether to get a cremation or burial, you need to know what you want. You also need to know the budget your family has or how much you’re leaving behind for them. It also helps to consider things like transportation, burial sites, and family tradition.
Make the Choice that Feels Most Right
Now you have a better understanding of the pros and cons of burial or cremation. Weigh the differences in their procedures, costs, and long-term requirements before you pick one over the other.
We hope you learned a lot about each decision. If you want to learn more about these things, check out our other guides now.
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