Deciding whether you want to be cremated or buried after your death is a very personal decision and can often be a complex one to make. You may often find that you’re balancing your family members’ desires with your own financial constraints and personal beliefs. If you’re undecided about your wishes, here are some of the facts to bear in mind when making your final choice between these two options.

Why Have a Traditional Burial

A primary reason for choosing a burial over a cremation is to honour your own religious beliefs and those of your family. If your family members have traditionally been buried or have their own burial plot, then burial becomes a more likely option.

Some people believe that a burial allows the family more scope to come closer together and to deal with their grief more effectively because of the ritual involved in burying a loved one. Many people find that the process of traditional burials provides a feeling of closure for the close family members who are grieving the loss of their loved one.

Burials give family members the chance to see their loved one being placed into the ground and for many people this is a comforting and natural process. Also, a grave can be a permanent reminder of the deceased, and a place to honour their memory which also helps to bring better closure for the mourners.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

The greatest disadvantage of having a burial rather than a cremation is the expense. It can also be a more time-consuming process to arrange a burial, with viewings and the service itself requiring several trips, and this could be tricky for anyone who doesn’t live nearby to arrange.

Why Have A Cremation?

Cremations are a more affordable choice, and are therefore ideal for anyone on a low budget. Cremation is also a more ecological choice since burials require a lot of space and could end up releasing toxic chemicals into the ground.

Depending on where the deceased’s friends and family are located, a cremation may make it easier to move around the remains or to hold a service of memorial in different locations. Since an urn of ashes is portable and the ashes can also be divided, it allows for a lot more flexibility. The deceased’s remains can be scattered in any location of their choice anywhere in the world, and can even be spread across several sites. Alternatively, individual family members can keep a small amount of themselves to have made into jewellery or to display in an urn.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

Depending on the religious beliefs of the individual, cremation may not be such a socially acceptable choice, especially if it is important to follow a family tradition of burial. Some people also feel that cremation leads to lack of closure. When the deceased is cremated, there isn’t always a formal funeral and if there is no permanent memorial like a headstone, it can make it harder for the grieving friends and relatives to mourn their loss or to come to terms with the death.

The Decision is Yours

With all these disadvantages and advantages in mind, it can be difficult to decide your wishes for when you’re gone. Whatever the decision you make, you should discuss it with your family and friends so that they can be prepared for whatever you decide. You can make sure to have your wishes followed by including your funeral plan in your will and by arranging a pre-paid funeral plan so that everything is already paid for before the time comes and your wishes do not create a burden for your family.