Cremation vs Burial: Understanding Key Differences, Costs, and Environmental Impact
Table of Contents
- What are the Options After the Death of a Loved One?
- Pros and Cons of Burial and Cremation Services
- Opal is a Provider of Direct Cremation Near Me
- FAQs
- Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
- After a loved one dies, families must choose between cremation and burial options.
- They must weigh their options carefully, considering cost, environmental factors, and religious beliefs.
- Though cremation and burial are both good options, cremation is often preferred because it is more affordable and environmentally friendly.
- Opal provides direct cremation in Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego, offering affordable, all-inclusive packages with no hidden fees.
When your loved one dies, you can choose what to do with their remains. The right choice may not necessarily be an obvious one. Before you settle on an option, take some time to understand the difference between cremations and burials, the two most common methods used in the U.S.
Burial is the most prevalent tradition and requires embalming a body to preserve it for wake and funeral ceremonies. The body is then buried underground in a casket or entombed in a mausoleum.
In contrast, cremation services involve incinerating the remains. The ashes are returned to the family, and they can choose to keep them in an urn, bury them, or scatter them.
While both options offer pros and cons, cremation has become more popular in recent years because it is less expensive and more environmentally friendly. A National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) report shows that cremation rates have been increasing steadily and are projected to reach 82.1% by 2045, while burial rates are falling.
Opal is a provider of direct cremation in Los Angeles, Orange County, and throughout Southern California. We offer affordable, all-inclusive packages. Unlike many of our providers, we never charge hidden fees.
Check out our article on the Real Cost of Cremation in Orange County to learn more. Contact us to find out about our comprehensive services.
What are the Options After the Death of a Loved One?
After a loved one dies, families have several options for handling the death, as follows:
Traditional Burial
Burials are deeply rooted in tradition, and some find comfort in this. There’s a sequence of events that you already know and expect. Many people find that viewing the body and performing a burial ritual are healthy ways of mourning their loved one. People gathering to celebrate the deceased’s life can also provide comfort and moral support for the family.
Direct Burial
Some families choose to have a burial with no ceremony. Embalming may not be necessary. Families will still need to purchase a casket and may host a memorial ceremony in the future.
Traditional Cremation
A traditional cremation allows you to perform a wake and funeral ceremony with the body before it’s cremated. You save on burial costs while still getting to participate in the funeral tradition. Some people see this as a comfortable middle ground. They get a little more time to say goodbye to their loved one and can choose how to honor their memory with the ashes.
Direct Cremation
With direct cremation, your loved one’s body is cremated directly after passing. The ashes are soon returned to the family, who can decide where to go from there. Many families choose to celebrate life after the ashes are returned to them, which may involve memorial releases, ash scatterings, and other types of gatherings.
Read our Celebration of Life blog for more information.
Knowing the difference between the various types of cremation and burials is more important than you might think. It ensures you are shopping for the right services and allows you to make an apples-to-apples comparison.
Pros and Cons of Burial and Cremation Services
Families deciding between cremation and burial must understand the pros and cons of each. Here are some things to consider.
Costs
Funeralocity shows the average cremation cost in California as follows:
| Traditional Funeral | $8026 |
| Full-Service Cremation | $5523 |
| Direct Burial | $4700 |
| Direct Cremation | $1642 |
Here are some factors that drive expenses:
- Traditional Funeral: Families must pay for the casket, burial, embalming, and all expenses related to the service. Additionally, if the deceased endured a complex death, there could be complications with preserving the body.
- Full-service Cremation: The family still pays for the services, but instead of a casket, they pay for an urn, which is much less expensive. Embalming may not be necessary unless the family requests a viewing.
- Direct Funeral: While the family still pays for the casket and burial needs, they don’t pay for the service. Embalming may not be necessary either.
- Direct Cremation is the least expensive option, as families don’t need to pay for the casket, services, or embalming.
Opal provides the most affordable cremation in Southern California, with all-inclusive packages starting at $1295. Some providers may seem more affordable, but hidden fees can rack up. With us, the price you’re quoted is the price you’ll pay.
Call us at 888-714-8481 to learn more about what we offer.
When shopping for services, choose only the goods and services you want, to avoid being forced into a pricy package. Those who choose cremation can also save more by providing a suitable urn from an outside source rather than buying one directly from the funeral home.
Environmental Concerns
Cremation is also becoming more popular because it is environmentally friendly. Here are some facts to consider.
- Embalming Chemicals: The embalming chemicals used in traditional funerals can contaminate the soil and groundwater.
- Material Consumption: Funerals use wood for caskets, metals, and concrete for vaults, consuming vast resources and potentially contributing to waste.
- Land Use: Cremation does not use land, thereby preserving natural landscapes.
- Energy and Emissions: Cremation uses energy and releases emissions into the atmosphere, but the effects are not nearly as harmful or long-lasting as those of a traditional burial.
For more eco-friendly burial options, check out our article on aquamation.
Religious Beliefs
Some religions don’t approve of the cremation process, believing the body should be preserved for the afterlife. If your family follows these religions, burial may be a better option.
However, in modern times, people are getting less religious. A Pew Research study reveals the number of religiously unaffiliated people rose by 270 million between 2010 and 2020, reaching 1.9 billion. Additionally, existing religions are becoming more lenient on cremation rules.
The reduction of faith also supports the growing popularity of cremation.
Other Factors to Consider
- Overcrowded Cemeteries: A 2013 survey indicated that half of England’s cemeteries could run out of space within the next 20 years. This trend is becoming more prevalent worldwide, contributing to recycled plots and increasing burial prices. Cremation reduces the risk of overcrowding.
- Mobility: Burials can be inconvenient for families who don’t live in the same area as the deceased. They must come into town for the burial and to visit the plot. Cremation presents a more convenient solution.
- Personal Wishes: A loved one may have left behind a document stating their wishes. The family may want to honor these wishes, regardless of their personal beliefs.
- Flexible Memorials: With various celebration of life choices, such as memorial releases, ash scatterings, and seed planting, many families are forgoing formal services to celebrate in their own way.
| Cost | Environmental Factors | Religious Beliefs | |
| Cremation | √ | √ | X |
| Burial | X | X | √ |
“Cost is a driving factor. The decrease in religious restrictions is another one, and it’s very transient in the world we live in today.”
Mike Nicodemus, licensed funeral director and vice president of cremation services for the NFDA in the article Cremation Has Replaced Traditional Burials in Popularity in America and People are Getting Creative with Those Ashes.
Opal Is a Provider of Direct Cremation Near Me
You just lost someone close to you. Between juggling funeral arrangements and mourning your loss, you’re probably overwhelmed with questions. Opal Cremation of Southern California wants to take some of the burden off your shoulders.
We will tend to your loved one’s remains, take care of all documentation, assist with planning, and mail the ashes directly to you. You can make all arrangements over the phone, in the comfort of your home. We charge one low, all-inclusive price, without hidden fees.
Contact Opal for the peace of mind and support that you deserve. Find out what makes us the best cremation company in Southern California.
FAQs
What does God say about cremation vs. burial?
The Bible does not explicitly forbid cremation or endorse burial, but it depicts burial as the practice of God’s people. While the spiritual body is the part that enters heaven, many Christians view burial as the way to honor the body as the temple of the holy spirit and express the hope of resurrection.
What body parts are removed before cremation?
Before cremation, the licensed cremation provider will remove medical devices like pacemakers and implants that contain batteries due to the risk of explosion. If the individual is an organ donor, organs will also be removed.
Can you still have a funeral or memorial if you choose cremation?
Yes, you can still have a funeral or memorial if you choose cremation. You may choose to do a celebration of life at any point after the cremation, providing a more casual and joyous option than a traditional memorial service. You can also choose traditional cremation, which includes a service before cremation takes place.
