Choosing between traditional burial, direct burial, cremation, and direct cremation can be a difficult decision, and there are several important things to consider when making your choice. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when deciding between cremation vs. burial.

Personal and Cultural Beliefs

Personal and cultural beliefs play a significant role in deciding the final disposition method. Everyone owns their personal choice. It’s important to consider your personal and cultural beliefs as well as those of the deceased when you’re planning either your individual services or your loved one’s services.

With that said, the popularity of cremation is continuing to rise, with an estimated 70% of Americans expected to choose cremation by 2023.

The Cost of Cremation vs. Burial

Cost is another significant factor to consider. Traditional burial is generally the most expensive option, while direct cremation is often the most affordable. Direct burial and cremation can also be more cost-effective than a traditional burial. According to the NFDA:

• The median price of a funeral with a viewing and burial is estimated to be just shy of $7,900.
• The median price of a funeral with a cremation totaled around $7,000.

Environmental Impact

Some people may prefer a burial method that has less of an impact on the environment. Cremation is often seen as a more environmentally friendly option than traditional burial, but it’s important to consider the impact of the cremation process itself.

It’s estimated that a single cremation produces an average of 535 pounds of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere. The average carbon dioxide emissions from a traditional burial are typically even more than the traditional cremation option.

Everyone still has their personal preference for how they’d prefer to go. But because of these factors, new forms of disposition are being offered to families and loved ones – alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation), green burials, and terramation are just a few of these other options.

Timing and Convenience

Direct burial and direct cremation typically have a faster turnaround time than traditional burial, which may be more convenient for families who are stressed by the timeline.

Family Preferences

It’s important to consider the preferences of the decedent and their family when choosing a final disposition method. Some families may feel strongly about one method or another, and it’s important to respect their wishes.

Memorialization

It’s also important to consider how the remains will be memorialized. With traditional burial, a physical grave site can serve as a permanent memorial. With cremation, families can choose to scatter the ashes, keep them in an urn, or inter them in a cemetery.

Additionally, there are several other merchandise options available with either cremation or burial, such as:

• Flags
• Custom urns
• Cremation jewelry
• Purified stones
• and much more

Sometimes, funeral homes are able to create interactive Remember Pages where families can upload unlimited photos, memories, and much more. These are generally available for any type of service that is selected.

Oftentimes, funeral homes and crematories are open to working with families and creating a service that works well for everyone.

Cremation vs. Burial – Gather Can Help With It All

Ultimately, the choice between traditional burial, direct burial, cremation, direct cremation, and anything in between is a personal one that should be made based on the needs and preferences of the deceased and their family.

It’s important to take the time to consider all of the factors and choose a method that feels right for everyone involved. 

With our collaborative case management platform, we’ve worked hard to make this process as easy and stress-free as possible for both funeral service professionals and families. If you’re a funeral home or crematory and you’re interested in seeing how Gather can help your team and families, book a free demo with us today.