Cremation vs. Burial: Pros and Cons to Help You Make an Informed Choice!

Baklingtong
4 min readDec 12, 2023

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Choosing between cremation and burial is a personal decision influenced by factors like faith, family tradition, and individual beliefs. Cost is also a factor, with cremation often considered cheaper, but the total expenses can be similar based on the services and products chosen. Cremation involves costs for the process, urn, and possibly a vault or crypt.

Burial includes expenses for embalming, the casket, and opening/closing the grave. Transportation costs apply in both cases. Other decisions, such as viewings, memorials, family transportation, and paperwork, also contribute to costs. Knowing the basics helps in making an informed decision, reducing stress and confusion for loved ones later on.

Let’s explore the breakdown of funeral cremation services in Brooklyn, NY, versus burial costs and potential expenses.

To learn more about Cremation vs. Burial, look over the details below.

The Cremation Process-

Laws about cremation change depending on the state, but there are some rules about getting ready and moving the remains that are the same everywhere. Here’s what you should know before, during, and after the cremation.

Before cremation-

Funeral directors may have to wait up to 48 hours after the death before cremation, depending on the state. During this time, officials finish filling out the authorization forms and make sure all required permits are obtained.

Family members have the option to say goodbye, carry out rites of passage, or lead a funeral service before the cremation. If there is a funeral or visitation, the family may gather any valuables or personal items, like jewelry or other items, following the service.

During cremation-

Every cremation is carried out on a personal basis. First, the coffin or container is placed inside the cremation chamber by the staff.

This chamber can process all remains completely because its temperature range is 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on the size and weight of the body, the procedure usually takes one to three hours.

After the cremation, the remains are allowed to cool sufficiently for personnel to handle them. Usually white, the remains will weigh three to nine pounds.

After cremation-

The urn or container used to hold the remains is given back to the family or the assigned cemetery or funeral home unless otherwise instructed. When choosing the final resting place for the remains, there are several options. Among them are:

  • Putting the urn in a mausoleum outside or inside.
  • Place the urn in a cemetery, urn garden, or family burial plot.
  • Distributing the remains by the desires of the departed.
  • Preserving the urn in a dear one’s house.

Cremation Pros-

  • It’s more affordable.
  • Loved ones can keep your remains with them.
  • There are no time restraints.
  • A cremation can take place in any location.

Cremation Cons-

  • The process might feel uncomfortable for some family members.
  • Not all places provide cremation services.

The Burial Process-

The body is cleaned and bathed as the initial step in the burial procedure, regardless of the service chosen. By doing this, you show the deceased some dignity and respect while also protecting the funeral personnel, visiting friends, and family.

Before burial-

The people organizing the funeral decide what happens next. They can preserve the body for a regular funeral or keep it in a cold place if it’s going to another state. If the person passes away in a different city or if the family wants to bury them somewhere else, they need to plan how to move the body to its final resting spot. Usually, a funeral director handles this because they know how to transport bodies properly.

During burial-

If the family decides to have the body preserved, a licensed embalmer, usually the funeral director, takes care of it by replacing the blood with chemicals. Although not all states require embalming, some may ask for it or refrigeration if the burial is delayed. Refrigeration is a suitable alternative. Immediate burials and similar services usually don’t need embalming.

For viewings, the family can choose clothes and items for the deceased, and anything worn during the viewing can be returned or kept with the deceased. Cosmetics and hairstyling are done based on the family’s preferences.

After burial-

The type of funeral that is conducted determines what happens next. The body is usually transported to a cemetery or other gravesite during a traditional funeral. An official may conduct a graveside service in certain circumstances.

Burial Pros-

  • Family members can pay a visit to your remains.
  • More people are at ease with it, and it is more familiar.
  • By selecting the headstone, casket, and site, family members can personalize the ceremony.

Burial Cons-

  • Burials are more expensive.
  • Cemeteries have rules, and they can limit your choices.

Now It’s Time to Decide Cremation vs. Burial

More and more Americans are choosing cremation over traditional burial, as reported by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). The NFDA states that cremation rates have surpassed burial rates, and it’s predicted that by 2040, nearly 80 percent of people will opt for cremation.

When deciding between cremation and burial, it’s essential to consider your loved one’s wishes and values. To make this process easier, If you choose a burial, our team will assist you in choosing a fine cemetery and a plot.Baklingtong is here to help you find the best option. Contact them whenever you’re ready to discuss your needs for funeral cremation services in Brooklyn, NY.

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Baklingtong
Baklingtong

Written by Baklingtong

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