Cremation is a form of disposition of the body of human remains at high temperatures. The process can be done by burning in a crematorium or other fires. Cremains are the ashes left after bodily tissues have been incinerated and reduced to ash. A cremation is one way to honor your loved ones, and many people find it more appealing than burial because it’s cleaner and often less expensive than burial. Let’s look at the five benefits of cremation over burial today.
1. Similarities Combine Convenience and Tradition
When comparing cremation to burial, they are quite similar. Cremation is the final disposition of your loved one’s body, and burial is the final disposition of your loved one’s body. If you choose cremation, there will be no need for embalming, casket, or funeral services, and the funeral cost is much less than a burial. If you choose burial over cremation, you must purchase caskets or urns, embalming, and pay for funeral services.
2. Money-Saving Benefits
You will save a lot of money when choosing cremation over burial. Cremation is nearly half the cost of a traditional burial. A small portion of what you pay for a traditional burial is the price of the casket or urn and the expenses for funeral services. With cremation, you will only pay for the actual cost of your loved one’s cremation, which is usually significantly less than if you chose to bury them.
3. Cremations Take Up Less Space
Cremation is known for being a more environmentally-friendly option than burial. With cremation, the body will not have to be embalmed or placed in a casket, which takes up more space in the ground when buried. With cremation, you can have your loved one’s ashes scattered. Since less space is needed with cremation, it also means that there will be less cemetery or green land used up as well.
4. Easier to Handle
If you choose cremation over burial, you won’t have to worry about ensuring that your loved one’s grave is taken care of. If you choose burial, you must visit the cemetery or mausoleum on certain holidays to put flowers on the grave, adding extra commitment and trips. With cremation, you must decide where you want your loved one’s ashes spread or stored.
5. Cremation Means Portability
If you decide to have a cremation, you won’t have to worry about finding a permanent spot for your loved one’s ashes. Cremated remains are easily portable and can actually travel on an airplane. Cremation is ideal if someone dies out of town or needs to be transported for a memorial service in a different area.
Cremation has been a popular choice for families to honor their loved ones. Even though cremation and burial have many similarities, they differ regarding the cost of the cremation process and the space used up. If you choose cremation over burial, there may be some money-saving benefits, but ultimately it comes down to what you want most in honor of your loved one’s final wishes. It is always good to know your loved one’s wishes before going ahead with cremation or burial.