Understanding Burial & How It Works
You are probably familiar with burials as a concept or have attended one. Like with other aspects of funeral planning, there are many nuances when it comes to arranging and executing a burial that you as a consumer may not know about. We’ve laid out some facts and considerations when it comes to burial arrangements.
What Is a Burial and How Does It Work?
The term “burial” refers to placing one’s remains in a closed container in the ground. When you arrange with your local funeral provider, you’ll pick out a casket for the burial process. Along with it, make sure you ask if the cemetery where the burial will occur requires an outer burial container. These are not required by all cemeteries, but protect the remains with another layer, as well as prevent the earth above the burial spot from sinking.
What Are the Advantages of Burial?
Allows a Permanent Resting Place for Loved Ones to Visit
For many people, having the ability to visit their loved one’s final resting place helps with the grieving process. The burial process includes both full-body remains as well as cremated remains, so loved ones can be buried whether they are embalmed or cremated. Whichever type of burial you choose, being able to physically visit your loved one and memorialize them gives the ability to create lasting memories.
Burials Are Widely Accepted Amongst Many Faiths
For people wanting a disposition that will align with their religious beliefs, traditional burials often align with many mainstream religious funeral traditions, like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Especially for older generations within your community, going with a traditional burial is widely accepted.
Are there Disadvantages of Having a Burial?
Burial is Generally More Expensive
With a burial comes other expenses you would not get with cremation. Depending on the type of service and the timeline you choose, you may require services like dressing, casketing or embalming. Other merchandise pieces like a casket and outer burial vault will run you more money.
Gravesites Are Difficult or Impossible to Move
Once a loved one’s remains have been placed in their plot, it can be difficult and expensive to move them. First, exhumation costs will vary state-by-state, along with requirements of funeral director attendance. Even more expensive are the transportation and relocation fees, which can include the transfer of the remains, purchasing the new plot, and possibly a new casket and outer burial container.
Traditional Burial is Not Considered Environmentally Friendly
Because of the use of caskets, burial vaults, and embalming fluids entering the ground during the burial process, it’s not always considered the most environmentally friendly option. However, if you’re looking for a “greener” burial option, talking with your local funeral director about a green burial can help keep the traditional burial sense, while still eco-friendly.
Whether you decide to arrange a cremation or a burial, your chosen funeral provider will guide you in the right direction, identifying your needs and price points to match you with the right option. Learn more about arranging with a provider on efuneral.com.
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