The death of a loved one is a bitter yet inevitable truth.
It’s only natural that friends and family of the deceased person would want to aid their return to nature in the most dignified manner. And this is where most people find themselves choosing between cremation and burial.
So, today, we’ve compiled a short guide to help you learn the most important aspects of cremation versus burial.
Is Cremation Better Than Burial? All You Need To Know
1. Flexibility Of Memorialization
Once you’ve cremated your loved one, you can collect the ashes in an urn and keep it with yourself, even when travelling or moving countries. Moreover, family members living in different locations can share the ashes between them so that everyone can have some memorabilia to hold on to. This isn’t possible in case of burial, as the burial plot is fixed.
2. Ground Space
It’s no secret that Canada is in the midst of a shortage of burial grounds, which is why cremation can become a suitable alternative to bid your loved ones a final goodbye. Moreover, cremation is faster than a burial, as you don’t have to go through the hassle of finding a suitable and available burial spot.
Many funeral houses have built-in cremation facilities, meaning you can conduct the funeral services before or after the cremation.
3. Budget
Embalming the body, buying caskets, purchasing a burial plot, and the cost of digging and closing the grave in case of a burial can significantly add to the funeral budget. However, cremation is a more affordable practice, even with a full-fledged funeral service before or after the process.
4. Traditions
When compared to cremation, burial is considered a more traditional practice, and it’s widely accepted by different religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. This is largely based on the belief that burial is a more “natural” way of returning the body to nature- the origin of everything living. Hence, you won’t face much trouble finding a funeral home or director specializing in burial customs.
Cremation, on the other hand, is the common norm for Hindus and Sikhs, as the general belief is that burning helps detach the soul from the body for the next birth. However, this varies from one sect to another, with many preferring burial over cremation.
5. Environment-Friendliness
When it comes to being eco-friendly, both cremation and burial have certain disadvantages. For example, the chemicals used for embalming can leach into the ground over time, contaminating the soil and groundwater. Similarly, cremation can release toxic gases into the air as it burns the chemicals inside and on the surface of the human body.
However, more eco-friendly methods have been introduced for both practices. While “green burial” methods discourage embalming chemicals and utilize biodegradable caskets, “green cremation” methods use flameless means to turn the body into ash.
Final Words
Aside from weighing the pros and cons of cremation and burial, you should consider the last wishes of your deceased loved ones before making a choice. That said, contact a funeral visitation centre or a funeral director to assist you in making the best possible decision.