When a loved one passes away, families are often torn between the two main options for funeral services: burial and cremation. While both are meaningful and respectful ways to commemorate a life, there are some essential differences between these two services that should be considered before making a final decision.
Here we share five of the main differences between a burial and a cremation service:
1. Cost
One major difference between a burial and a cremation service is cost.
For a traditional burial service, there are several associated costs that must be taken into account. These costs include the purchase of a burial plot or cemetery plots, a casket and burial vault, a headstone, and other miscellaneous costs such as flowers and obituaries. The cost of a burial can range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the location and services chosen.
In contrast, a cremation service is usually much less expensive than a traditional burial. The cost of a cremation can range anywhere from $400 to $2,000, depending on the services chosen. The main cost associated with a cremation service is the cost of the cremation itself, which can range from $200 to $600. Other associated costs may include an urn, flowers, and a memorial service.
2. Timing
When planning end-of-life arrangements, one of the main differences between a burial and a cremation service is the timing. A burial service typically takes place shortly after a person’s death and must be arranged within a certain amount of time. A cremation service, on the other hand, can take place at any time and is often delayed until relatives and friends have had a chance to gather.
Burial services are often held within days of the death, while cremation services can be delayed for weeks, months, or even years. This difference in timing is important to consider when making end-of-life arrangements. If you want your loved one’s funeral to be a more public event with a gathering of family and friends, then a burial service may be the best option. If you want a more private ceremony with fewer people in attendance, then a cremation service can be arranged for later.
3. Location
When it comes to choosing a final resting place for a loved one, one of the primary differences between a burial and a cremation service is the location of the service. Burial services traditionally take place in a cemetery and involve the interment of the body in a casket in the ground. A funeral service may be held at the gravesite or at a nearby location, such as a church or funeral home.
Cremation services, on the other hand, typically take place at a funeral home or crematorium. A memorial service may be held in a church or other location, but the remains of the deceased are not returned to the family. Instead, the cremated remains are typically kept in an urn or other container, and can be buried at a cemetery, kept in an urn or other container, or even scattered in a special place.
4. Memorialization
Burial services often involve a graveside service, where mourners can visit and pay their respects. Cremation services typically do not involve a graveside service, but memorialization can still take place in other ways, such as a scattering of ashes at a meaningful location.
5. Aftercare
Burial services often involve the purchase of a grave marker or other forms of memorialization. Cremation services typically do not involve any type of memorialization, but the ashes can be kept in an urn or other container.
Conclusion
Regardless of the option chosen, cremation or burial services, each offers a way to honor the life of a loved one and provide a meaningful way to remember them. It is important to consider all of the differences between the two services in order to make an informed decision.
Evergreen JAX is a trusted crematory and funeral home in Jacksonville, FL, that offers services that make it easier for families to make arrangements for their departed loved ones. Whether you decide to go with cremation or burial, our team can make sure your final sendoff for your beloved family member is the best one possible. Contact us today so we can help you!
