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Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Buy now, pay in January
Buy your funeral plan today and pay in January for peace of mind this Christmas. Click here for full T&Cs.
8 minute read
Choosing between a cremation vs burial is a fundamental part of making end-of-life plans. While some of us know exactly what kind of funeral we want, others may need more information or time to think it over.
In this article, we will dive into different aspects of both cremation and burial, from ceremonial traditions to the financial implications and environmental impacts. Whether you are pre-planning your own final arrangements or deciding for a loved one, we hope to help you make a decision that feels right.
Information in The Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2024 suggests a price difference of roughly £1,282 between burial and cremation, with cremation being the less expensive option on average. However, prices can vary significantly based on location, the services chosen, and the funeral director involved.
Since cost often plays a significant role in decision-making for many families, we will examine these expenses more closely.
There are common expenses shared between burial and cremation that are typically a part of every funeral. There are a few different factors involved in final funeral costs, however, typically people will need to pay for the funeral service, collection of the body and possibly a wake.
Costs associated with burial include the plot, cemetery fees, a headstone, a coffin, and sometimes, embalming. This amounts to a national average cost of £5,077 (information from SunLife Cost of Dying Report).
The national average of a cremation is around £3,795 as reported by the Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2024. This typically includes cremation fees which are less expensive than those associated with a burial.
However, the final price of a cremation can increase above this average depending on choices related to the funeral service, such as the venue, and what is done with the ashes afterwards.
Both cremation and burial typically begin with a similar funeral service. This can take place inside a religious building like a church, a special hall at a crematorium or a venue of your choice. The service can be led by a celebrant, officiant or family member and may include readings, eulogies and music.
The way the body is cared for after this celebration is where the differences between these options emerge.
Following a funeral service, the traditional burial process begins with the procession to the cemetery or burial site. Pallbearers, sometimes close family or friends, will carry the coffin to its final resting place.
As the coffin is gently lowered into the ground, some people may say a few words, scatter soil on top or lay flowers to say goodbye. A wake is commonly held afterwards to honour the deceased. The burial plot will then be filled and marked with a headstone to honour the person resting there.
Burial is favoured by some for its tradition and the lasting memorial it provides, where loved ones can visit and potentially be laid to rest together.
After the funeral service, the cremation process may begin with the committal, where the coffin is either concealed by a curtain or lowered from view. Alternatively, the coffin might be removed after guests leave, allowing the family a private farewell. A wake then may follow after the service, if chosen by the person who has passed and their family.
The body and coffin are then transferred to a cremator. A high heat is applied inside a specially designed furnace, leaving ashes behind. These ashes are processed and returned to the family in an urn, box, or scatter tube.
Cremation is sometimes chosen for its flexibility. You can scatter the ashes of your loved one in a special place or they can be kept with you. Ashes can also be used in multiple memorial options like being turned into fireworks, jewellery and even added to ink for a tattoo.
Religious beliefs differ on the appropriate way to care for the body after death. Hinduism and Sikhism generally prefer cremation, focusing on the soul rather than the physical body. In contrast, Islam and Orthodox Judaism mandate burial, emphasising the sanctity and wholeness of the body.
Christian views on cremation have evolved. Historically, many denominations required burial, associating it with beliefs in bodily resurrection. However, since 1963, the Catholic Church has permitted cremation, provided the ashes are kept intact rather than scattered.
If your beliefs do impact your funeral choice, talking to a religious leader can give you more knowledge and bring you more comfort in your decision.
The question of burial vs cremation can come up when setting your own funeral wishes or finding a prepaid funeral plan, but it’s also a key part of planning the funeral of a loved one. Check to see if they passed with pre-arranged plans in place or a note stating their wishes. Once you know their funeral wishes you can get in contact with a funeral director to begin the process.
For burial, this involves selecting a cemetery, choosing a plot, and deciding on the type of coffin. Additionally, you may want to personalise the grave marker with a particular statue or gravestone with pictures and text.
For cremation, consider how the ashes will be handled. Some crematoriums may require the use of their containers, while others might allow you to use a personal urn for the ashes.
If you’re unsure what your loved one would have wanted, consult with family members or close friends to find arrangements that reflect the values and desires of the person who has passed.
Losing a loved one is never easy, but finding ways to remember them and honour them can bring a small amount of peace during a hard time. Both burial and cremation allow for various memorial options:
No matter which option is best for your family, a memorial serves as a way to keep cherished memories alive and bring people together.
When it comes to being buried or cremated, both options come with environmental challenges. Cremation requires a lot of energy– about 285 kiloWatt hours of gas and 15kWh of electricity on average according to The Guardian. On top of that, the process also emits a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which can impact air quality. It is important to note that crematoriums are mandated to follow environmentally friendly practices.
A traditional burial is also not free from environmental dilemmas. Embalming, a practice typically involved in burial, involves chemicals like formaldehyde, which can harm soil and water quality. Even if embalming is not used, chemicals on the coffins like veneer and glue can also leak harmful substances into the ground. Furthermore, cemeteries use vast amounts of land which can disrupt local ecosystems and biodiversity.
If you are seeking a greener farewell, natural burials are an alternative option. This method forgoes toxic embalming fluids and uses biodegradable coffins or shrouds to reduce the environmental impact.
If examining burial vs cremation still has you unsure of the funeral you want, a direct cremation could be another option to consider. It offers a no-frills alternative to traditional funeral services, focusing on simplicity and foregoing customary ceremonies.
Unlike traditional funerals, which often include a viewing, service, or gathering that can be costly and elaborate, direct cremation involves minimal planning and lower expenses. Families can later decide to hold a memorial service or celebration of life at a time and place that suits them, allowing for flexibility in commemorating the deceased according to personal or family wishes.
If you would like to learn more about direct cremation, our team is happy to answer your questions. We can offer prepaid plans that allow you to arrange your funeral ahead of time which alleviates any pressure from your family. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
