Burial vs Cremation – Differences
Contents
Choosing between Burial and Cremation
Some people have clear ideas about whether they would like to be buried or cremated and may have specified this in their Will, in a Letter of Wishes, or even verbally. If they have not, then either the next of kin or the executor will need to make that decision. The following section provides information and comparisons for both that may help to guide you.
Costs & Expenses
Burial
Although burial can be more expensive than cremation, there are many options to suit varying budgets. Burial can take place in a variety of places and ‘green’ or ‘natural’ burial grounds are an increasingly popular environmentally friendly alternative. There is also the option of a Direct Burial with no mourners, service or ceremony at place of burial.
In our Funeral Costs & Financial Support section you can find further information about costs and ways to reduce them
Cremation
Cremation tends to be less expensive than burial, although this is not always the case. Direct Cremation, where the body is cremated immediately after the death with no mourners present, is the least expensive option. The body can be cremated in a simple cardboard coffin and no embalming or preparations are needed. A memorial service or celebration of life can then be held at a later date.
In our Funeral Costs & Financial Support section you can find further information about costs and ways to reduce them.
Space
Burial
Many people like to be buried in their local churchyard or cemetery. Some reserve a plot to ensure this can happen, or to enable them to be laid to rest with a loved one or other family members. However, space for burial is often limited and there may not be room to expand.
Green burial sites are increasingly popular in rural settings. Here, dual land use allows woodland, pasture, meadows or wildlife habitats to flourish over and around the burial plots. To find out more, please see Where Can a Burial Take Place.
Cremation
Cremation may be chosen for environmental reasons, saving the space that is taken up with burial, or simply because there is limited availability in a local churchyard or cemetery. There are a number of option and to find out more please see Information About Cremation.
Environmental Concerns
Burial
The scarcity of land for churchyard or cemetery burials can be a problem. Many are full and have no space to expand.
However, the popularity of green burial sites in areas that are naturalised with trees and plants offer an eco-friendly alternative. Only biodegradable materials are allowed below ground and memorials are typically wooden or local stone.
There are rules around embalming (to stop soil contamination from toxic chemicals), and removal of non-biodegradable parts (hips replacements, etc) may be necessary.
Cremation
There are a number of environmental concerns with cremation, such as the emission of carbon dioxide from the use of fossil fuels and the release of other pollutants such as mercury during the process. Many crematoria, particularly newer ones, incorporate heat exchange technology and mercury filtration equipment, but there are still concerns about whether enough is being done to address these problems.
Also, the ashes have a high PH and sodium level which is not good for the soil or for growing plants and also makes decomposition difficult. It may be necessary to mix the ashes with other organic compounds to allow the plants to thrive.
Timing
Burial
Embalming or the use of a cold matress can enable family and friends to have a viewing or keep their love one at home for a short period of time.
Nevertheless, the funeral takes place fairly soon after death (although this is not always the case). There may, therefore, only be a limited time to make arrangements and for family and friends to organise their travel plans. However, it is not necessary for the ceremony to happen at the time of burial, a service of remembrance or memorial service can take place at a later date.
Cremation
Although a funeral ceremony often takes place alongside the cremation, once the cremation has taken place the ashes can be kept indefinitely, allowing the family more time to decide where the final resting place of their loved one should be.
Direct cremation or a simple cremation with a small, family service followed by a memorial service at a later date allows more time to plan and for family and friends to make travel arrangements.
Flexibility
Burial
There are obvious practical constraints around transporting a body, but it is not necessary to hire a hearse. Any vehicle that is large enough can be used.
Hiring a hearse to move a body some distance can be expensive, particularly if it is being taken to another country, so burial often happens locally.
Cremation
Although a funeral ceremony often takes place alongside the cremation, once the cremation has taken place the ashes can be kept indefinitely, allowing the family more time to decide where the final resting place of their loved one should be.
Direct cremation or a simple cremation with a small, family service followed by a memorial service at a later date allows more time to plan and for family and friends to make travel arrangements.
Personal Feelings & Choice
Burial
Some people like the idea of returning their body to the earth, in effect completing the circle of life.
They may wish to be laid to rest in a place where they have lived for many years, alongside other ancestors or near to friends.
The person who has died may have expressed their wishes, or a close family member may feel strongly about this decision. All of these factors must be taken into account.
Cremation
People often have strong feelings one way or another about cremation versus burial. Whether it is for environmental, cost or practical reasons.
The person who has died may have expressed their wishes, or a close family member may feel strongly about this decision.
All of these factors must be taken into account.
Permanent Memorials
Burial
Burial, particularly in a churchyard or cemetery, means there will be a permanent memorial, usually in the form of a headstone. This provides a place where loved ones can go in the future to feel close to, and to remember, the person who has died.
Natural burial grounds, too, provide a tranquil and uplifting space to sit, reflect and remember. Some allow memorials or markers, often made of wood, stone or some other natural material. Others do not allow markers but keep a permanent record of burial locations.
For more information, please see Stonemasons and Memorials.
Cremation
If ashes are scattered, particularly if this is done in more than one location, there may be no one special place that family and friends can go in the future to remember their loved one.
Having a focus for grief can be an important part of the mourning process. Sometimes, people choose to scatter some of the ashes and to keep the remainder for a final resting place, maybe under a tree planted in memory of their loved one.
Ashes can be buried with a memorial stone or stored in a columbarium wall or a traditional barrow. For more information, please see Final Resting Place for the Ashes.
Locations
Burial
Burial can take place in a range of places – a churchyard, cemetery, green burial site, at sea, at home or perhaps in another, more unusual location. To find out more, please see Where Can a Burial Take Place.
Cremation
Cremation has to take place in a crematorium. Crematoria are sited throughout the UK and are owned and run either privately or by the Local Authority (sometimes in conjunction with a private operator). They offer a range of different services, included rooms for a reception after the service.
Some crematoria have amenities that cater for the specific needs of different faiths (for example washing facilities for Hindus and Sikhs) and most supply different iconography for display
The ashes can usually be laid to rest there in a Garden of Remembrance or they can be taken by the family to be kept safely until they decide on their final resting place. There are a number of option and to find out more please see Information About Cremation.
Religious Considerations
Burial
Different faiths and religions have their own customs and requirements around burial. Some forbid it, others insist on it, but most accept both.
Cremation
Different faiths and religions have their own customs and requirements around cremation. Some forbid it, others insist on it, but most accept both.
For more information, please see Religious Funerals.
Other Considerations
Burial
In an increasingly mobile society, where families often don’t stay in the place where they were born or grew up, burial can mean that visiting and maintaining the grave becomes difficult or infrequent.
Cremation
Ashes are portable and in an increasingly mobile society, being able to take your loved one with you if you move to another area or a new country, can be a consideration.
