Cremation or Burial: Which One Is Better?
Published December 18th, 2019
If you and your family already anticipated the death of a loved one, it’s easier for all of you to plan a personalized and meaningful funeral or memorial service. Whether cremation or burial, more likely, the deceased already had said their wishes before they passed away.
However, that is not usually the case. The sudden death of a loved one will leave you and the other member of your family to decide whether to have your loved one’s body cremated or buried underground. And it’s probably the most significant decision that you and your family are going to make when it comes to making funeral plans.
When making this hard decision, there are several things that you should consider, like family traditions, personal budget, religious beliefs, and many more.
To help you decide, here are the advantages as well as the drawbacks of both cremation and burial.
Burial
Burial is placing the remains of your loved one in a casket. Some prefer putting it in a grave, while some prefer putting it above ground in a crypt.
Pros:
- Although not required, some religions like Christians, Jews, and Muslims prefer burial.
- Older generations often consider burial since it is more traditional.
- Some people prefer to think of their deceased loved ones this way.
- The body can be exhumed anytime if needed.
- Burial provides a gravesite for friends and family to visit
- It allows family members to have more closure.
Cons:
- Burial is more costly compared to cremation.
- Because of the caskets, burial vaults, and chemicals entering the ground used for embalming, traditional burial is not considered eco-friendly.
- If a family member moves to another location, it will be harder for them to visit the body.
- Some cemeteries have restrictions on leaving flowers, taking pictures, and visiting hours.
- The whole process of burial can be time-consuming.
Cremation
The cremation process includes burning the remains and turning it into ashes without embalming the body. (Related: 8 Things You Should Know About Cremation)
Pros:
- Some religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, prefer cremation.
- Cremation is cheaper compared to burial. (Related: How Much Is The Average Cost of Cremation in Florida)
- It is more environment-friendly than burial.
- There are many more options available on what to do after the remains have been cremated. The remains can be kept, scattered at sea, or buried. (Related: What To Do With Cremation Ashes)
- Cremated remains are easy to transport. You can put the ashes in an urn or other container and take them with you if you move.
- You can still have a funeral service and burial before or after cremation.
- The whole process is quicker than burial and is not time-consuming.
- Cremated remains help with the problem of overcrowded cemeteries because it occupies less land.
- Cremation allows you to hold on to a physical token of your loved one and enables you to keep them in your home.
Cons:
- Some people find it odd, thinking about their loved one going through the cremation process.
- Once your loved one’s remains have been cremated, you cannot undo it.
- Not all religions are open with the idea of cremation.
- Some people think that it is harder to mourn if the deceased loved one’s remains are cremated.
These lists of the pros and cons of cremation and burial are undoubtedly helpful. However, choosing which one is better should be a personal choice. It is still up to you, your family, or the deceased last wishes that should be followed. How you all feel will always be the final deciding factor.
Interested In Our Services?
Here at Big Blue Sea Services we take memorial services seriously. Book a time with us to scatter ashes at sea off the coast of Florida with your friends and family present. Our charters are sure to make the moment a memorable experience.
About The Author
Franchette Agatha Jardin is a lifelong fan of all things related to the sea. She wants to share that passion with the world over. She is a nurse by profession but an author by love.
