When faced with the inevitable decision of how to handle a loved one’s remains, families often grapple with choosing between cremation and burial. Each method has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and choice of which to employ comes down to personal, cultural, environmental, and economic factors. Understanding each of the disposition methods will allow the family to make an informed decision of which is right for them.
Regardless of the choice you make our sister funeral home – Funerals Your Way – will be able to help with arrangements.
Cremation
Cremation has been gradually increasing in popularity over the decades and currently the cremation rate in California (according to the the cremation Association of North America) is now around 70%.
Cremation may or may not be a choice that your family embraces, however there are several advantages.
Advantages of Cremation
Cost-Effective: It is always (basic cremation anyway) is always less expensive than burial as it eliminates the need for a casket, burial plot, and headstone. This saving easily results in a savings of several though dollars. Often, if the family does select to have a service it is more modest.
Flexibility: Once the cremation is done there is flexible timing of memorial services, which can be scheduled weeks or even months after the death. We deal with many families that have had the cremains in the closet for years before deciding what to do with them. There are many option for dealing with the cremains, but the one that many families are selecting is burial at sea (ash scattering). It is a meaningful and healing experience.
Environmental Impact: Is often much less as there is often no need for land use and often is no embalming, so no chemicals are placed in the environment.
Disadvantages of Cremation
Lack of Grave Site: The physical lack of a gravesite may be an issue for some families. They lack a physical place to visit and perhaps receives comfort from such visit.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities: Certain cultures and religions have strong preferences for traditional burial.
Environmental Concerns: Cremation does release carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere and required a significant energy footprint. These can be somewhat mitigated by using different types of cremation chambers (retorts). These however are not currently available in the United States.
Burial
Tradition burial is still a favored option for around 30% of Californians. Burial may or may not be a choice that your family embraces however there are several advantages.
As well there is both land (traditional) as well as full body burial at sea.
Advantages of Burial
Lack of Grave Site: The physical lack of a gravesite may be an issue for some families. They lack a physical place to visit and perhaps receives comfort from such visit.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities: Certain cultures and religions have strong preferences for traditional burial.
Environmental Concerns: Cremation does release carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere and required a significant energy footprint. These can be somewhat mitigated by using different types of cremation chambers (retorts). These however are not currently available in the United States.
Disadvantages of Burial
Higher Expenses: Burial costs can be significantly higher due to the need for a casket, burial plot, headstone, and potentially ongoing maintenance. Burial plots (especially in larger metropolitan areas – such as San Diego) tend to be more expensive than the funeral itself. Your funeral home may be able to guide you to more reasonably priced burial plots.
Environmental Impact: Cemeteries require large areas of land, which can contribute to land scarcity, especially in urban areas. Then is the family selects traditional embalming involves chemicals that can seep into the ground, posing environmental risks.
Time Sensitivity: Time is of the essence as bodies deteriorate rapidly (even if embalmed). Decisions need to be made quickly which can be stressful for grieving families. This is especially difficult if many people as involved in the decision process.
Making the Decision – Cremation vs Burial
In the end, both cremation and burial offer respectful ways to honor a loved one’s life. Select the route that seamlessly blends with your identity and ambitions. Planning a service starts with understanding the differences between cremation and burial. This understanding gives families the ability to decide on what really matters – celebrating their loved one’s life.
