Cremation Or Burial? Here Are Three Considerations To Keep In Mind
No matter what stage of life you are currently in, it is never too soon to begin making end-of-life decisions. While many people find this process emotionally challenging, making arrangements early on can help to save your family a great deal of stress and anxiety. The grieving process can be long and arduous, but it can often be a great relief to know that you are following the wishes of your loved one. By making this decision early, you are providing this final gift to the people who care about you the most.
Knowing that this is an important decision doesn't make it any easier, of course. If you are struggling to decide what is best for you, then these three essential considerations may help you to make up your mind.
Cost Matters
It's the elephant in the room, but there's no use in avoiding it. Funerals, memorial services, and burials are expensive. Honoring a loved one is not an easy process, either emotionally or financially. Cremation costs are drastically cheaper than burial costs, often by thousands of dollars. While you shouldn't allow financial considerations to override any ethical or religious feelings you may have, you also shouldn't ignore this vital aspect of memorial planning.
Cremation Is Location Independent
A significant concern for many families is the ability to continue to visit their loved ones at gravesites. While this can be convenient if your family will continue to live near your chosen cemetery, it can create undue emotional stress during later moves. Cremation offers a way to stay close to your loved ones, even long after you are gone. Many survivors prefer this since they feel as though the departed is always with them. However, if you are considering cremation for this reason, be sure to discuss it with your closest family members so that you can understand how they feel about the process.
You'll Have More Options
Burials can often be beautiful services, but some people can find them too limiting. If you don't want your remains to spend eternity in a specific plot of land, then a scattering ceremony may be just what you are looking for. With cremation, you'll have more freedom to select where your loved ones will have the opportunity to say their final goodbyes. This freedom can help to provide practical options for your memorial service, as well. Scattering ashes near a cliff or at some other meaningful location is often much more affordable than a traditional service, further helping to ease the financial cost on your family.
Ultimately, choosing between burial and cremation is a highly personal choice. Keep these considerations in mind and always discuss your wishes with your family. Although it can be a painful topic, dealing with these decisions now can help to ease the burden on your family later.
For more information, contact a funeral home that offers cremation services.
