Cremation VS Burial
The first decision you will have to make is whether you want a cremation or a traditional earth burial. In case
you were wondering, here are the definitions:
CremationWhen a body is cremated it is burned until it becomes ash. It is normally done in a funeral home, chapel, or crematorium. The chamber in which the body is burned is called a retort and heats to about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the three-hour burning process is over, the bone fragments are cooled and crushed into fine powder and
returned to the family for scattering, retaining, or burying. Cremations are increasing in popularity. In 1967 only 4% of the bodies in the United States were cremated. That number rose to 26% in 2000 and is projected to reach as high as 46.04% by 2015. Source is the Nation Funeral Director Association.
Traditional Earth BurialA traditional earth burial is still the preferred method of body disposition in the United States. If you select an earth burial, then the body will be buried in the ground and allowed for natural decomposition. Typically the body is lowered 6 feet underground.
Consider the following three factors when making your decision:
Let’s talk about cost. Without a doubt, cremations are the least expensive way to take care of your final
disposition. On average the cremation will run between $3,000–$6,500 for the services only. There are select
cases when you can spend outside that price range, but it isn’t very common. For example, if someone wanted
to go above and beyond the norm, they could spend as much as $15,000 on cremation services.
Compare cremation to a traditional burial and the price difference is tremendous. Expect to spend $6,500–$8,000 for services only! Once you add in the plot and cash-advanced items, you can easily spend $10,000–$15,000.
Religious Preference
The next factor to take into consideration is religious preference. Different faiths have different traditions when it comes to cremation vs. traditional earth burial. For some people religion doesn’t play a role in their decision and for others it is the deciding factor. If you are somebody who cares what your church teaches, check with your ecclesiastical leader to see what your church’s preferences are.
Personal Preference
The last deciding factor in the cremation vs. earth burial debate is personal preference. Some people disagree
with cremating the body while others dislike the idea of nature’s natural course of decomposition. Neither
one is necessarily better than the other; you just have to do what feels right for you and your family.
Now that you know your options, it is time to choose your preference. Knowing this choice can be a sensitive topic, it may be difficult to make an expeditious decision. Therefore, it may be helpful to ask yourself which way you are leaning and why. Write these questions down and revisit them down the road to help you make up your mind. And if it doesn’t matter to you either way, then let your family know of your indifference so they won’t have to wonder, and thus, making it easier on them when the time comes for the decision to be made.
you were wondering, here are the definitions:
CremationWhen a body is cremated it is burned until it becomes ash. It is normally done in a funeral home, chapel, or crematorium. The chamber in which the body is burned is called a retort and heats to about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the three-hour burning process is over, the bone fragments are cooled and crushed into fine powder and
returned to the family for scattering, retaining, or burying. Cremations are increasing in popularity. In 1967 only 4% of the bodies in the United States were cremated. That number rose to 26% in 2000 and is projected to reach as high as 46.04% by 2015. Source is the Nation Funeral Director Association.
Traditional Earth BurialA traditional earth burial is still the preferred method of body disposition in the United States. If you select an earth burial, then the body will be buried in the ground and allowed for natural decomposition. Typically the body is lowered 6 feet underground.
Consider the following three factors when making your decision:
- Cost
- Religious preference
- Personal preference
Let’s talk about cost. Without a doubt, cremations are the least expensive way to take care of your final
disposition. On average the cremation will run between $3,000–$6,500 for the services only. There are select
cases when you can spend outside that price range, but it isn’t very common. For example, if someone wanted
to go above and beyond the norm, they could spend as much as $15,000 on cremation services.
Compare cremation to a traditional burial and the price difference is tremendous. Expect to spend $6,500–$8,000 for services only! Once you add in the plot and cash-advanced items, you can easily spend $10,000–$15,000.
Religious Preference
The next factor to take into consideration is religious preference. Different faiths have different traditions when it comes to cremation vs. traditional earth burial. For some people religion doesn’t play a role in their decision and for others it is the deciding factor. If you are somebody who cares what your church teaches, check with your ecclesiastical leader to see what your church’s preferences are.
Personal Preference
The last deciding factor in the cremation vs. earth burial debate is personal preference. Some people disagree
with cremating the body while others dislike the idea of nature’s natural course of decomposition. Neither
one is necessarily better than the other; you just have to do what feels right for you and your family.
Now that you know your options, it is time to choose your preference. Knowing this choice can be a sensitive topic, it may be difficult to make an expeditious decision. Therefore, it may be helpful to ask yourself which way you are leaning and why. Write these questions down and revisit them down the road to help you make up your mind. And if it doesn’t matter to you either way, then let your family know of your indifference so they won’t have to wonder, and thus, making it easier on them when the time comes for the decision to be made.