The First Decision: Cremation vs. Burial

Learn the Difference

This is one of the major questions which must be addressed when a death occurs, and the answer usually depends on a variety of things. We encourage all families to consider whichever option suits them best at the time of need. Learn the differences of cremation vs burial and educate yourself before you make your final decision. 

Why Choose Cremation?

Cremation has been a part of the human experience for a very long time, and is the preferred method of caring for a loved one in many parts of the world.

While we could recite statistics on the rising popularity of cremation in North America and other nations, they really won’t mean very much to you. After all, who picks cremation just because everyone else is doing so?

People choose cremation because they believe it to be the right choice for them. It’s as deeply personal of a decision as that of selecting burial. The decision could be based on:

• Financial Challenges. The cost of direct cremation with no traditional funeral or memorial service is often ¼ that of a traditional burial. This simple fact is often all it takes for a family to make the cremation decision; however we firmly believe that there is great value in bringing family and friends together for a remembrance service – value which exceed mere cost.
   
• The Desire for Simplicity. There is nothing simpler than a direct cremation, where the body is transferred straight to the crematory and everything is done within hours of completing the necessary paperwork.
   
• The Need for Flexibility. A memorial service after a direct cremation can be arranged at a time that's convenient for family members. There is no rush to put together a ceremony which many in the circle can’t attend due to time or financial constraints.
   
• The Intention to More Fully Commemorate a Loved One. A service can be planned for weeks, even months, after the cremation. This means more people can get involved and there’s plenty of time to gather meaningful scriptural passages, poetry, literary quotes, music, photos and videos.

If any of those reasons ring true for you and your family, then cremation may be the perfect alternative for your loved one.
 

Decisions You Must Make When Choosing Cremation

• Who will perform the cremation?
• Should you purchase an urn?
• What kind of remembrance ceremony would you like to have?
• What will you do with the cremated remains?

You may wish to keep the remains at your home for a time, until you feel ready to let go of them, or when all family members can be present for a scattering ceremony.

Our professional Funeral Directors can advise you on unique ways to memorialize a loved one using the cremated remains, including the creation of art glass objects. We also offer a wide selection of cremation keepsake jewelry.

We can also recommend firms in the area that specialize in scattering the cremated remains at sea, or in the air.

When Choosing Burial

For thousands of years, burial has been a traditional means of caring for the physical remains of a loved one. Historical precedence is one thing, but for you, burial may simply be the tradition of your family. When burial is chosen, your loved one may be:

• Interred in the ground in a regulated cemetery, or if local legislation allows, on private property
• Entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum
• Buried at sea
   

It’s a Deeply Personal Decision

Even if it isn’t what your family has commonly done over the years, there are many personal reasons you may have to choose burial over cremation. These could include:

• Religious or geographical preferences
• An aversion to the cremation practice of using flame to reduce the remains to ash
• You wish to erect a monument in honour of your loved one
• You wish to have a natural location where you can visit, graced with trees and open spaces

    
Decisions and Costs

If you think that burial is the right choice for your family, there are some important decisions you must make. For example:

• Do you wish the body to be embalmed?
• What kind of casket and burial vault would you prefer?
• Which cemetery would you select, and do they have space available?
• What type of monument, headstone or grave marker would you like?
• What words would you like to put on the headstone, marker, or monument?

Remember that each of these decisions involve related costs which may impact your final decision. These include:

• Selection of the casket and protective burial vault required by the cemetery
• The purchase of a cemetery plot, if your family doesn’t already have the rights to one.
• The headstone or grave marker, and any placement fees charged by the cemetery.

You should also know that each cemetery is governed by their own board of directors therefore prices and guidelines differ from one cemetery to the next.

We know this is a lot to absorb – that’s why we make ourselves available to you and your family night or day. It is our responsibility to guide you in caring for your loved one. Call us with any questions you may have.