Cremation vs. Burial... How to Decide Which is Best

The burial of a loved one marks the start of a long and emotionally taxing journey to their funeral service. One of the main decisions you must make as the person in charge of planning the funeral is whether to cremate or bury their remains. This question tends to be quite divisive as most people have very strong feelings about how they would like their loved ones laid to rest. Thomas Gallagher Funeral Home, in Stamford Connecticut, is here to offer their services to help you through this sad time. We have put together a list of some of the considerations you can turn to when tasked with making the above decision.

Cost

One of the main considerations when it comes to choosing between burial or cremation is the costs involved. Burials tend to be more expensive as compared to cremations. Some of the main costs involved in the burial process include embalming costs, funeral service, and casket costs and not forgetting, burial plot costs among others. In most cases, cremation costs are a fraction of the total traditional burial cost. As such, cremations can be a way to save money, especially if you do not have to cover any add-ons from the cremation service.

Beliefs

Another important determining factor when it comes to choosing between burials and cremations is the beliefs and family traditions of the deceased and their loved ones. Some religions are against cremation of the human remains, favouring instead the natural decomposition of the body. It is also worth noting that the deceased might have had left instructions on how their remains should be disposed of.

Physical Location

When it comes to disposing off a loved one’s remains, choosing a traditional burial gives the relatives and friends of the deceased a place they can go to grieve and be in their presence after the funeral service. Cremation allows relatives to carry the remains with them, where they can be kept at the house or any other physical location. Furthermore, cremation makes it possible for the remains to be disposed just about anywhere, over air, water, and land.

Concerns about the Environment

Another consideration to keep in mind when choosing between cremation and burial is the environmental effect. Those pushing for traditional burials usually cite the pollutant gases produced during the cremation process. On the other hand, those pushing for cremation usually point out the toxic chemicals used in embalming, the use of non-biodegradable caskets and the need for land in the burial process. When making this choice, you must consider established family traditions as well.

Contact Thomas Gallagher Funeral Home for more information on this and other funeral service related questions.