There are many difficult decisions to make when you lose a loved one and you will need all the support from your family and friends in this emotionally challenging time. One such decision you will need to make is whether to pick cremation or burial services.
There are many considerations
For both options but you will need to think about your personal preferences and religious or cultural beliefs when it comes to the final decision. In this article, we will compare these two options according to a few factors. Firstly, you can consider which option is preferable according to religious or cultural beliefs. For example, in certain religions like Islam, burial is the preferred method. And there are also certain guidelines that you will need to stick to in other religions when choosing cremation. Most of the time, the deceased will let the family know of their wishes beforehand which can make choosing an option quite easily. If there is no such wish communicated, you can also consult with a religious leader to understand which option aligns best with your beliefs. You can also confer with family members about which method is preferred according to family traditions. Sometimes the deceased may have left instructions for the funeral service to be completed quickly. Cremation will be the better option if time is of the essence.
The cost is another factor to consider. Burial tends to be more expensive compared to cremation services. This is because you need fewer materials for cremation. The cost for a memorial service or a funeral service will be more or less the same. Generally, one of these options will anyway be chosen by the family so overall cost will be decided by the selection of cremation or burial. The environmental impact is another aspect that you can think of when making a decision. More and more people are thinking about how their choice of rest impacts the environment. When considering these two options, burial tends to have a bigger impact as you will need to use a casket and embalming fluids. You will also be using land which is a limited resource. When considering cremation, this can release carbon emissions into the air; but there are some eco-friendly cremation methods available as well. You can use water cremation or use biodegradable urns to carry the ashes.
Making the choice between burial and cremation has an emotional weight as well.
Sometimes families find solace in being able to visit the grave of the loved one. Others will prefer having the remains of the loved one close to them using an urn. Some consider that they can achieve closure with cremation quicker as this tends to be a quicker process comparatively. You can also consider convenience; sometimes family members will be staying far away from a cemetery which will make it difficult to visit frequently. In such a circumstance, you can opt to have the ashes in an urn as you can have this kept close to your family.
