For many individuals, the choice between burial and cremation is a very personal one.
In recent years, cremation has become the preferred method of disposition. It now exceeds burial in popularity. As a matter of fact, 80% of Americans are now expected to choose cremation as their preferred method of a funeral.
It’s a part-and-parcel in honoring the memory of their loved ones after passing.
Having said that, there are a number of things to consider before making a final decision. Keep on reading for our breakdown of cremation vs burial and the essential factors you need to consider.
Understanding Cremation
Let’s start with the fundamentals.
Even while burial is still the most common form of final disposition in the United States, cremation is on the rise. By using heat and flame, cremation reduces a corpse to its fundamental components. For the cremation process, a specially designed furnace known as the cremation chamber is used.
Many people believe cremation is a new practice. However, people have been doing cremation for a very long time. Cremation is thought to have been used in Europe as far back as the Stone Age, according to current researchers (3000 B.C.).
People continued to use it after the spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire, but it was reintroduced in the late 1800s. Despite the fact that it is more expensive, traditional burial is still a preferred method of disposition over cremation.
In addition, there are so many different cremation ashes ideas that people can truly grieve in their own ways.
The Burial Customs
In contrast, burial is the most common method of disposition.
Burial, sometimes known as internment, is the process of burying a deceased person’s body. Since the beginning of time, humans have been burying their dead and many see it as a way to bond with nature.
However, today’s funeral practices are somewhat different from those of the past.
Furthermore, modern bodies are almost always embalmed. Unless, you’re in a Muslim-majority country, where they only cleanse the body before burial. In the western world, we know this as an eco-burial.
When an embalmer injects chemicals into the body, the corpse’s decomposition stops. It’s the main goal of embalming, the science and art of conserving human remains. As long as it doesn’t prevent it from decomposition, it allows the family to see the body in a more realistic state at the time of a funeral or visitation.
Among the many reasons why people choose burial over cremation is because it is a familiar and comfortable choice. Family members will always have a place to visit where they may bond with the deceased. This is most often is a cemetery. Headstones, caskets, and other information are also available to families.
Cremation vs Burial: Funeral Planning With Respect
Some themes and issues come up again when we talk to folks who are trying to make the decision between burial and cremation. The desire to honor the deceased’s memories and, in turn, their body is one of the most often expressed concerns.
There are a number of reasons why some individuals choose to preserve the body’s integrity. At the same time, others just find the idea of leaving it to decompose in the grave repugnant.
Viewing the corpse is an essential aspect of the funeral rite in many cultures and religions. Choosing cremation as the last resting place does not rule out this possibility. In reality, viewings before cremation are not unusual.
Considering Environmental Effects
Both burial and cremation have advantages and disadvantages in terms of environmental friendliness. As far as environmental damage, there are advocates on both sides of the spectrum.
In contrast to popular belief, which holds that conventional casket materials are non-biodegradable and embalming chemicals are harmful, some believe that cremation is an environmentally preferable option. It all depends on the absence of pollutants emitted throughout the procedure.
Natural burials, or eco-burials, have seen a recent surge in popularity. Embalming fluids are not used in these sorts of funerals, and the coffins themselves are biodegradable and ecologically friendly materials.
Religious and Cultural Beliefs
Christians’ opinions on cremation are remarkably divided on the subject. Until the 1960s, cremation was prohibited by the Catholic Church. For the cremated remains to be interred rather than dispersed or carried home by the family members, is required.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, Baptists, and other conservative Christian groups do not allow cremation, but the Methodist seventh-day Adventist and Lutheran churches do.
Cremation has long been discouraged in Judaism, however, some Jews have come to tolerate it.
Hinduism and Buddhism, two of the most popular eastern faiths, mandate cremation of the deceased. Cremation is preferred by Sikhs, however, burial is not forbidden. For Muslims, the practice of cremation is taboo.
Alternatives to Cremation and Traditional Burial
People have more alternatives as countries grow more ecologically conscious. Money is a major component in the detrimental effect that conventional burial has had on mourning families by encouraging them to buy needless and costly items and services.
Promession and alkaline hydrolysis, two new funeral-industry procedures, have lately been introduced in Florida.
In short, there are many different options for people’s beliefs and wants to be fulfilled.
Funeral Ideas and Plans: Explored
Making the decision to be buried or cremated is an emotional and difficult one. Consider talking about it with your family members or other loved ones if you continue to struggle. A funeral director may also provide advice and support.
We hope that our guide has given you a solid foundation on the logical and emotional factors that tend to pop up in the cremation vs burial debate. This way you can minimize the chances of regretting your decision in the future.
Next step, you should check out our lifestyle section for more ideas and tips on how to set up a funeral and much more.
