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Cremation vs Burial: Costs, Benefits & Considerations

By: Claire Beutel • Subject Matter Expert Reviewed by: Marisa Akerman, MS, LMHCA • 7 cited sources • Updated Oct 14, 2024

Whether planning for your own end-of-life arrangements or those of a loved one, it’s important to understand the options available to make an informed decision that respects your values, family tradition, faith, and financial considerations. This article provides comprehensive information on the cremation and burial process, covering costs, benefits, and personal considerations to help you make the best choice during this difficult time.

Key Takeaways

• The cremation and burial process each have various pros and cons to consider.
• Cremation is generally more affordable than traditional burial; however, additional expenses for urns and cremation services may apply.
• The choice between cremation and burial is influenced by cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and financial considerations, reflecting personal and family values.

The Difference Between a Cremation & Burial

The process of cremation employs intense heat to reduce the remains of a deceased person to ashes. This procedure usually lasts around three hours and takes place in a specially-designed cremation chamber^[1]. After cooling, the remaining bones are further reduced to ashes, and those cremated remains are then returned to the family. Families can choose from various types of cremation services including direct, memorial, and traditional cremation. The main difference among these being whether a funeral or memorial service is desired in addition to the cremation process.

In a cremation service, elements such as hymns, musical pieces, and eulogies are often included, creating a personalized tribute to the deceased. Families may choose to feature the cremated remains in urns, scatter them in meaningful locations, or even incorporate them into memorial jewelry or tattoos later.

In contrast, traditional burials may involve a visitation or formal funeral service, body embalming, the transportation of the body from the funeral home to the cemetery or grave site, and a burial or entombment^[2]. Traditional burials offer a permanent gravesite for loved ones to visit and pay their respects, which can be an important aspect of the grieving process.

Many individuals value having a gravesite of their loved one to tangibly visit. This provides many with a sense of physical connection and the opportunity to feel closer to their loved ones. It can also become a safe space for the bereaved to express and manage their grief, providing an opportunity for reflection and remembrance, helping keep memories alive.

Marisa Akerman, MS, LMHCA

Factors Influencing Whether a Cremation or Traditional Burial is Right for You

Various factors including cost, cultural beliefs, religious practices, and environmental concerns, can impact the decision between a cremation and burial.

Costs of Cremations, Funeral Services & Burials

Financial factors can significantly influence the decision between cremation and burial, especially if your family is on a budget. Cremation is generally more affordable than traditional burial due to reduced expenses such as caskets, burial plots, and headstones. The average cost of a basic cremation is around $2,183^[3]. However, even with cremation, there are additional costs to consider, such as crematory fees and the purchase of a cremation urn.

The median cost of a burial with a coffin and full funeral home services is approximately $8,121^[4]. Expenses can quickly add up, making burial a more costly option for many families. 

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule allows consumers to select and pay for only the services they want, ensuring transparency in pricing and helping families manage funeral costs more effectively^[5].

Cultural Beliefs & Religious Practices

If you or your loved ones hold strong cultural and religious beliefs, this will be an important consideration as you plan for end-of-life arrangements. 

Burial is often chosen for its traditional and religious significance, providing a sense of continuity and respect for the deceased. If you were raised under traditional Orthodox Jewish practice, you likely know that cremation has been prohibited for thousands of years and burials are strongly encouraged^[6]. Similarly, most practicing Catholics believe that “cremation does not hold the same value” as a proper burial^[7]. In contrast, Hinduism and Buddhism have long-standing traditions of cremation, believing it helps release the soul from the physical body.

Environmental Concerns

Growing environmental concerns are playing a more significant role in the decision between cremation and burial. Traditional burial methods often involve embalming fluids and non-biodegradable materials, which can be harmful to the environment. Additionally, the use of land for cemeteries can contribute to habitat loss and other ecological impacts. For this reason, many people are turning to green burial practices to reduce their carbon footprint. This may involve forging the embalming process or choosing a biodegradable coffin for your final resting place.

While cremation is generally considered to have a lower long-term environmental impact compared to burial, it is not without its drawbacks. The process produces carbon emissions and requires significant energy consumption. However, technological advancements are making cremation more environmentally friendly by reducing harmful emissions released during the process.

Personal & Practical Considerations

Personal preferences, together with practical considerations, are equally important when choosing between cremation and burial. These considerations can include the desires of family members, the flexibility of memorial services, and the sentimental value of having a physical gravesite.

Flexibility and Convenience

Because the burial process has many factors to consider and plan for such as finding a funeral home, embalming the body, choosing the right type of burial and casket, and finding a cemetery plot, cremation can be a more convenient route to go when honoring the deceased. 

Cremation provides considerable adaptability and convenience regarding funeral arrangements, including options for memorial services and the management of remains. Families can choose to hold a traditional funeral service, a memorial service after cremation, or a simple, intimate gathering. This flexibility allows for personalized and meaningful tributes that can be scheduled at a time and place most convenient for the family.

The Portability of Cremated Remains

The portability of cremated remains is another advantage. Ashes can be scattered in meaningful locations, kept at home in unique containers, or interred in multiple locations to accommodate personal preferences. Many states permit the scattering of ashes on both private and public lands, providing a wide range of options for families. 

Sentimental & Emotional Factors

Emotional aspects frequently have a substantial impact on the choice between cremation and burial. Many people find comfort in having a physical gravesite where they can visit, pay respects, and reflect on the life of their loved one. Cemeteries offer a peaceful and natural setting that can be soothing for families during their visits.

Traditional burial practices provide a sense of continuity and respect for the deceased, which can be comforting for those with strong cultural ties to burial traditions. The thought of cremation may evoke feelings of discomfort or unease for some individuals, making burial a more emotionally suitable choice.

Cremation also offers unique ways to memorialize a loved one. Families can choose to create keepsake jewelry or other personalized items from the ashes, providing a tangible reminder of the deceased. These keepsakes can be a source of comfort and a way to keep the memory of the loved one close, or they can opt for cremation urns as a more traditional option.

Legal Requirements & Regulations

Legal requirements for cremation and burial vary by jurisdiction. In most states, both processes involve registering a loved one’s death, providing a death certificate, and acquiring a Certificate for Burial or Cremation, otherwise known as a “green form”.

Burial regulations often mandate the use of a designated cemetery and require specific documentation and permits. These regulations ensure that burials are conducted respectfully and in accordance with local laws. Understanding these requirements helps families navigate the legal aspects of end-of-life planning smoothly, and funeral directors can provide valuable assistance in this process.

Finding Peace in Your Decision

Achieving peace of mind in the decision between cremation and burial entails weighing personal beliefs, practical considerations, and the desires of the deceased and their family. Pre-planning can provide a profound sense of peace, allowing individuals to clearly articulate their end-of-life wishes and alleviate the emotional burden on their families.

Discussing the desires of the deceased, while still living, and pre-planning can be a crucial step in the end-of-life process. Unfortunately, conflict can arise between family members regarding the most appropriate after-life processes. This can result in an increase of emotional distress, break down of support systems, and a lack of peace of mind during an already extremely difficult time.

Marisa Akerman, MS, LMHCA

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong choice—only what feels best for those involved. By considering all the factors and making an informed decision, you can find comfort and peace in knowing that your loved one’s memory will be honored in a meaningful way.

Written by Claire Beutel

My name is Claire Beutel, and I bring over a decade of experience in digital marketing. I specialize in crafting and executing SEO strategies that deliver measurable organic results for businesses of all sizes. Beyond my technical expertise, I am deeply passionate about supporting mental health and wellness causes—a mission close to my heart shaped by my lifelong battle with depression. When Kevin approached me about creating a resource to help individuals navigate the overwhelming challenges of major life decisions, I immediately recognized it as a perfect opportunity. It was a chance to use my skills to truly make a difference in people's lives by providing guidance and support during some of their most difficult moments. I feel privileged to be involved in such a meaningful cause.

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Subject Matter Expert Marisa Akerman, MS, LMHCA

Marisa Akerman holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue University, Fort Wayne. With over 10 years of experience in clinical settings, Marisa specializes in supporting clients dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, gender and sexual identity issues, and other mental health conditions.