Deciding Between Cremation and Burial

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be an extremely trying time, and this is only made more difficult when trying to decide which type of funeral arrangement is best. Burials have typically been one of the more common forms of interment, but many have begun opting for cremation in recent years as well. If you are trying to decide which of these is best for your situation, take a look at a comparison of both options with the help of a local monument maker in Phillipsburg, NJ:

• Costs: Because there is no coffin or burial plot involved, cremation tends to cost at least $1,000 less than a burial service, if not more. A direct cremation without a funeral service would lower these costs even further. Although funeral homes will try to work with your family’s budget as best they can, there will still be additional costs for the cemetery fees and the labor of the gravedigger.
• Flexibility: While there will be several different options to choose from when planning a funeral service, cremation does offer more overall flexibility. Without being limited to the rules of a cemetery once the memorial service is over, you can decide where the ashes will be kept, or if they will be spread in a loved one’s favorite place. The ashes could also be shared amongst multiple family members or set into items that you can keep with you forever, such as urns, jewelry or even teddy bears.
• Familial agreement: Although cremations have risen in prevalence, burials are still considered the more traditional option, and thus are more widely accepted in many quarters. There may be instances when a burial service is the only option because the entire family can’t come to an agreement on cremation, especially when strict religious beliefs are a factor.
• Physical memorials: If a loved one is buried in a cemetery, there will be a physical location with markings to visit as frequently as you like, which can provide a great source of comfort during difficult times. A burial in a particular location holds even more importance if there is a mausoleum or family plot. This option won’t necessarily be available when a loved one is cremated, although you might still have a location to revisit if your loved one’s ashes are scattered nearby.

Both options are equally suitable, and the final decision will come down to any wishes your loved one may have expressed and what the rest of the family is able to agree upon. Serving as trusted monument makers in Phillipsburg, NJ, our team here at Phillipsburg Memorial Company understands just how difficult it can be to make decisions when going through an emotional ordeal such as the loss of a loved one. This why we do everything we can to make the process as seamless and straightforward as possible. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment and learn more about the various headstone and monument options that are available to you and your family.

Categorised in: Headstone