VWB Blog Did you know that the majority of Americans are opting for cremation instead of burials? The rates are approximately 57.5% for cremation, and 36.6% for burials.
However, there are several factors to consider while making the choice between cremation and burial, including one’s religion, family tradition, and personal convictions. Because cremation and burial are such vastly different propositions, price should be taken into account as well.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown of the burial vs cremation cost differences, and what each process entails.
Cremation 101
Laws regarding preparing and transporting bodies for cremation vary by state. However, there are a number of common rules.
This is everything you need to know about the cremation procedure before, during, and after the cremation.
Prior to the Process of Cremation
In certain states, funeral directors must wait up to 48 hours after the death before cremating a body, which varies by state. Officials utilize this time to complete the relevant authorization documents. They can also obtain the requisite permits.
There is time for family members to say farewell. They can complete rites of passage, or organize a funeral ceremony before the cremation starts. It is possible for the family to collect any valuables, such as jewelry or other personal items, following the burial or viewing.
The Cremation Process
Crematoriums will carry out cremations one at a time. The cremation process starts with the cremation chamber filled with the coffin or container.
Using this chamber, all remains get exposed to temperatures between 1,400 and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the size and weight of the corpse, the procedure might take anywhere from one to three hours.
After the cremation, specialists will allow the remains to cool so that they can handle them safely. The remnants, which often weigh three to nine pounds, are whitish in color.
After the Cremation
Unless otherwise stated, the urn or other container used to store the remains is returned to the family or the approved cemetery or funeral home.
Many possibilities exist when it comes to the last resting place. These are only a few examples:
- Placing the urn in an existing family grave or urn garden
- Urn placed either inside or outdoor in a mausoleum
- Keep the urn at home
- Performing the last rites prescribed by the dead
Of course, you can always tailor these ideas depending on your wants and the wishes of the deceased.
The Burial Service
The first stage in the burial procedure, regardless of the service chosen, is to wash and disinfect the corpse.
By doing so, you ensure the safety of the funeral home workers. As well as the safety of visitors and members of the deceased’s family and friends. It’s how you show your respect for their memory.
Before Burial
After you’ve finalized the funeral preparations, family and friends get to decide the following steps. If the corpse is being moved to another state, it may either be embalmed for a conventional funeral or put in refrigeration.
Transporting a deceased person’s corpse to their last resting place is necessary if the family wishes to bury them elsewhere. It’s common for a funeral home to handle the transportation of remains because of their knowledge of the specifics involved.
During Burial
If embalming is necessary or desired by the family, a qualified embalmer will do it. It’s a simple process since the funeral director is also a professional embalmer.
Embolism happens when staff members replace the body’s blood with chemical preservation agents by using its circulatory system. Although certain states may require embalming or refrigeration if the burial does not take place within a specified time frame, there are no state laws that mandate embalming or refrigeration.
An alternative to embalming is refrigeration. Embalming is not required for many services, however, such as quick burial.
Choosing clothes and other souvenirs (such as jewelry and spectacles) for the deceased is an important aspect of a viewing ceremony. Before the burial, a funeral worker can return the deceased’s belongings to their family (or left with the deceased). In accordance with the preferences of the family, they apply cosmetics and groom the hair.
After the Burial
The following steps are determined by the sort of funeral that is held.
Transporting the dead to a cemetery or other last resting place is a common part of traditional funerals. Occasionally, a graveside service will be held by an official.
Burial vs Cremation Cost Considerations
Whether you’re preplanning your own funeral or assisting your parents with theirs, the expense of cremation vs. burial is a driving factor for many individuals when making this decision. It is usual for individuals to overspend on funeral arrangements since the costs of conventional funerals are greater than those of cremations.
Educating yourself about your alternatives in advance is the most cost-effective strategy to avoid surprises. Knowing what is available in your region might help you save money on funeral arrangements.
There were national averages for cremation with a viewing and a funeral in 2021 of $6,970, while the cost of a burial with a vault and funeral was $9,420 in the same time period.
A conventional funeral or burial may cost thousands of dollars, but cremation costs hundreds of dollars less since there are fewer services required.
There are several factors that contribute to the cost of a cremation, such as the state in which the service is done and the style of cremation that is performed (direct cremation or cremation with a viewing, for example). There are many affordable cremation options available.
Service costs might vary from $1,000 to $3,000 on the low end and up to $6,000 – $8,000, depending on the choices you choose.
Cost of Cremation vs Burial: Explained
Personal taste and financial considerations are the most significant factors to consider while making a choice.
Even while cremation may not be as traditional as burial, it is typically less expensive and more environmentally friendly. In the end, though, both are acceptable methods of paying tribute to a dearly departed loved one.
Hopefully, our guide has given you a solid idea about the burial vs cremation cost differences. Next, you should check out our lifestyle section for more tips on navigating grief and keeping a healthy mindset.