First Decisions: Burial or Cremation?
This is one of the major decisions which must be made when making end of life arrangements, and for most families, the answer depends on a variety of things. For example, if the family has traditionally chosen burial in previous generations, they may again decide to choose earth burial, simply because the family own plots together in a local cemetery.
And sometimes, one or more of the family members may not like the idea of cremation and choose burial.
Cremation, as you may well know, is the accelerated reduction of the remains to ash, traditionally through the process of heat and fire. If you’re considering cremation, we suggest you take the time to learn more here.
We encourage all families to consider whichever option suits them best at the time of need. Should you have any questions, feel free to call or email us. We will be pleased to share our knowledge and expertise with you.
Flexibility of Options
Traditional funerals often involve a burial followed by a strict schedule of events that follow. Cremation services, on the other hand, are far more flexible. Some families choose to include aspects of a traditional funeral, while others prefer a direct cremation followed by a memorial service later.
Timing of Services
Typically, burial occurs within a day to a week of the passing of an individual. Waiting two or three weeks to bury a love one can be seen by some cultures as pushing the boundaries of traditional funeral etiquette. The funeral ceremony must take place before laying the deceased in their final resting place. This leaves little time for family members to plan and prepare a final farewell. Cremation, however, can be an excellent choice for families with extremely busy schedules since services can take place any time. Since cremation services are so flexible, families can pay tribute to their loved ones much easier.
Disposition Options
The burial is always the last step in a traditional funeral service. This involves burying the deceased in the ground or entombing the body in an above-ground crypt. Cremation allows families to choose from many disposition options. Cremation allows families to hold on to their loved ones remains until they find a final resting place. There are a couple of ways families can choose to place cremains in a cemetery. One option is burying ashes with a marker for loved ones to visit. Another option is a columbarium, designed with small spaces called niches, that hold urns. Spreading ashes is a common option when people decide what they want to do with the cremains. Ash spreading ceremonies often help grieving families find closure after the death of a loved one.
Memorialization Options
Each cemetery has its own regulations for gravestones. For example, the size, colour, and material are just a few restrictions you may come across when choosing headstones or grave markers. These same restrictions may apply to cemeteries that hold cremated remains. When deciding how to memorialize a loved one’s ashes the options are endless. Urns come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs and be customized to match the deceased’s personality. Cremains can also be turned in to jewelry or planted with a tree.
Direct cremations typically cost less than direct burials as they do not require embalming and avoid burial ground fees. Cremation saves ground space and is a lot simpler process compared to burial. Overall, it boils down to what arrangements are best for the family and what the wishes were of the deceased.
