When making end-of-life plans for yourself or a loved one, you have to answer a question that many people find difficult. Is cremation or burial the right option?
Each of these options has pros and cons, so the correct answer relies on your personal preference. There are some facts, though, that you should consider before finalizing your decision. For example, cremation almost always costs less than burial. For many people, that makes cremation the better decision because they do not want to cause financial burdens for their families.
Don't make this decision lightly. Take some time to learn about the benefits and disadvantages of cremation and burial. You only get to make this decision once, so you need to know that you have chosen an end-of-life solution that you feel comfortable with.
Cremation vs. Burial: How Much Will You Spend?
Throughout the death care industry, cremation almost always costs less than burial. The amount of money that you spend depends on several factors, though. Let's break down some popular services and their costs to see how cremation and burial compare.
The Costs of Burial
Burial costs accumulate quickly because they often involve so many services and products. In most cases, burial costs include:
- $700 for embalming.
- $250 for preparing a body for viewing.
- $420 for using a funeral home to display the deceased's body.
- $500 for funeral services.
- $2,400 for a metal casket.
- $1,300 for a casket vault, which many cemeteries require.
- $275 for transporting the body from the funeral home to the burial plot.
- $2,600 for a burial plot and headstone.
Overall, you can expect to pay about $8,500 for a basic burial that includes a viewing, funeral service and gravestone.
These are median prices that can vary significantly depending on your preferences. While a simple gravestone and burial plot cost about $2,600, larger gravestones placed in prominent burial sites can easily cost $10,000.
The Costs of Cremation
Cremation gives loved ones much more flexibility than burial. Families can celebrate a person's life without relying on a funeral home for expensive services. Still, many people choose to hold services at funeral homes.
Assuming that you want to have a viewing and funeral service, you can expect cremation costs to include:
- $700 for embalming, which many funeral homes require for viewing.
- $250 for preparing the body for viewing before the cremation.
- $425 for using a funeral home for the viewing.
- $500 for a funeral service.
- $2,400 for a casket that holds the body during the viewing.
- $280 for a cremation urn.
The total cost of a cremation with a viewing and funeral service comes to about $4,500. You can honor your loved one with the same services that you get from a traditional burial, but you save $4,000.
Keep in mind that you do not have to pay for all of these services and products. Choosing direct cremation, for example, makes it possible for you to avoid embalming and body preparation fees. You can also avoid the high cost of a casket.
With direct cremation, you can lower the price of view and funeral services by about $3,350, bringing the total to just $1,150. Of course, the amount you spend will depend on the cost of the cremation urn and services that you choose. Regardless, you can expect to save a lot of money without denying your loved ones the opportunity to gather and share memories about your life.
Cremation vs. Burial: How the Processes Work
Many people don't like to think about the cremation and burial processes. You don't have to get into the details to learn the basics. In this area, a little knowledge goes a long way toward helping you make the right decision for yourself or a loved one.
Viewing and Burial
Many services take place before burial. Although not required by law, most funeral homes require embalming. The embalming process involves replacing the body's blood with formaldehyde-based chemicals.
After embalming the body, the professionals who work at funeral homes prepare the body for viewing. The preparation process varies depending on the body's condition. Often, the process involves little more than using makeup to add color to the deceased person's face. If visible parts of the body have been damaged, viewing may require more work that adds expenses to the burial.
Once the body is prepared, family members, friends and colleagues can visit and pay their respects. Today, most funeral homes arrange most viewing services.
After the viewing period, loved ones can gather for a religious or non-religious service that celebrates the life of the deceased person. This isn't a requirement, but it has become traditional among most families.
Finally, the body gets transported to the burial site, where close family and friends say their last goodbyes before the casket and deceased person are lowered into the burial plot.
Direct Cremation
You can choose direct cremation when you don't plan to put the body on display. You can still have a "viewing" and funeral service, but the body will not be present. You can, however, present ashes in an urn.
Direct cremation gives you the best option for keeping costs low and protecting the environment. When the body reaches the crematorium, professionals don't need embalming or other processes that prepare the deceased for a public viewing. Instead, the body gets cremated immediately after death.
To save money, you can have the body cremated in a cardboard container.
In some cases, you can get cremation services for as little as $700. The exact price that you pay will depend on several factors, though, so get a quote before you choose a crematorium to do the work.
Create a new arrangement with Simple Cremation of New Jersey to get an accurate quote for the services you want.
Cremation After a Viewing and Funeral Service
If you want your loved one's body preserved for a viewing and funeral service, then you will need to need embalming and preparation services. The funeral home will provide all the services required for burials. Since you display the body, you will need to purchase a casket. Cremation happens after the funeral service.
Since you don't need to purchase a burial plot, you can still save thousands of dollars by choosing this option.
Additional Options for Cremation
Opting for a cremation never has to mean that you don't celebrate the life of a loved one. Simple Cremation of New Jersey offers funeral tribute services like:
- Celebrant services–Celebrate the life of your loved one with a service that focuses on their beautiful life.
- Video programs–Commemorative videos made from your personal photographs. You can use the program at services and watch them when you want to think about your loved one.
- Tribute lunch and repast–Gather with friends and family members to enjoy a meal while you share memories of your loved one.
Simple Cremation of New Jersey partners with the Center for Life Transition to give you free bereavement support. You don't have to suffer the loss of a loved one alone. Bereavement support includes:
- Biweekly support group meetings.
- Follow-up phone calls to check your progress.
- Monthly luncheons.
- Newsletters with articles written by experts in healthy mourning.
- Mail and email updates.
- Access to a professional resource network to fulfill your legal, financial, and personal needs.
Cremation vs. Burial: The Pros and Cons of Each
Cremation and burial have pros and cons that you should consider before making a commitment. Think about the following points to make an informed decision.
Cremation Pros
- Cremation costs much less than burial.
- You can divide ashes among friends and family members.
- Cremation doesn't introduce potentially dangerous chemicals to the environment.
Cremation Cons
- Cremated remains can be buried at a cemetery where there is a headstone and family can visit.
- Some religions forbid cremation.
- Family members may disagree about cremation.
Burial Pros
- Burial plots and gravestones give people places to visit their lost loved ones.
- Some people find burial more acceptable than cremation.
Burial Cons
- Burial costs a lot of money.
- Cemeteries may have rules that prevent honoring your loved one how you want.
- Burial takes up a lot of space and can contribute to environmental problems.
Create an Arrangement With Simple Cremation of New Jersey
Simple Cremation of New Jersey gives you a straightforward way to plan the cremation and celebration services that match your needs and budget. You can prepare for the future by setting a plan for yourself now, or you can create a plan for a loved one who just passed away.
Arrange cremation services today by signing up for a new account. Our team strives to give you professional, white-glove services that will honor your lost loved one and help you start to heal.