How to decide between Cremation or Burial?

Today, most people choose cremations over traditional burial because it helps save money.

Direct cremation, in particular, is considered less expensive as it lowers costs by saving on ground space.

It is a very personal decision made by the individual or family members and considering the wishes, feelings, and beliefs of the deceased loved one. There is also a fear of decomposing or being buried alive in some people.

Religious and cultural beliefs also play an essential role in this decision. Except for Orthodox Judaism, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Islam, most religions accept the process of cremation.

This system has been practiced in Hinduism since time immemorial. It is believed that cremation serves as a means of disposing of the body and helps the departed soul in its journey to the next world. On the other hand, the ground burial symbolizes the burial and resurrection of Christ.

Cremations are also being promoted for social, technological, and philosophical reasons. There are public hygiene concerns due to carcasses buried close to the earth’s surface.

Additionally, technological advancement has led to the creation of modern cremation equipment that can help reduce the body to its essential elements. However, environmental concerns are associated with the emission of gases released during cremations.

Cremation or burial:

Cremation reduces the body to cremated remains in hours, while traditional burial follows a slow, natural decomposition process.

Direct cremations are more cost-effective than direct burials as they do not require embalming. Additionally, you can keep the body in an alternative container instead of a casket.

Cremation is a more straightforward process that helps save floor space, unlike burial. However, both are considered safe ways of dealing with the dead body.

As people today live far from their family roots, cremation provides more flexibility in terms of commemoration than burial in a cemetery.

Cremated remains may be stored in a cremation urn and displayed on a shelf or mantle at home, scattered on the ground, airborne from an airplane, floating on water, placed in a columbarium, buried in a cemetery, or entombed in a crypt inside a mausoleum. You can take the deceased’s cremated remains with you if you move to another city, which is not possible in case of burial.

However, as cremation is an irreversible process, it is essential to decide and be clear about whether cremation or burial is preferred.

Also, keep in mind that cremation is not a substitute for a funeral. A final disposition of the remains is also required.

Other alternatives are to hold a funeral before the cremation or a memorial service afterward. By choosing cremation, the ashes of the loved one can later be scattered, buried, or entombed.