Many people choose cremation over traditional burial for a number of reasons. But there are also many advantages that you may not have previously considered.
1. It’s Environmentally Friendly
Cremation is a more environmentally friendly option than burial because it uses less fuel. Burial also has a higher environmental impact because it requires land use. The embalming process also releases chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
2. It’s Affordable
Cremation is a less expensive option than traditional burial and it can help you stay within your budget. It also allows you to avoid purchasing a casket and burial vault, which can be very costly. This is especially important when you’re trying to keep costs down for your family members. Having less to spend on funeral expenses can help you put more money towards other important expenses, such as paying off debts or buying a home.
3. It’s Efficient
Cremation is an efficient way to care for a loved one’s remains. It can save families money and time, which allows them to mourn their loss more thoroughly.
4. It’s Simple
Many people choose cremation as a way to simplify their funeral services. Unlike burial, which requires a lot of planning for transportation services, embalming, and other body preservation methods, cremation is easier to arrange.
5. It’s Flexible
One of the main benefits of choosing cremation over traditional burial is its flexibility. It allows families to plan their service, whether it be a funeral or memorial service, at a time that’s most convenient for them. Traditional burials are complex and require a lot of planning ahead, which can be overwhelming for grieving loved ones.
6. It’s Meaningful
Cremation is often considered to be a more personal choice that focuses on the person’s wishes and aims to keep their legacy alive. It’s also a way to honor the deceased and make sure they’re able to leave a lasting impact on those who loved them most.
7. It’s Timely
For many families, cremation offers a timely alternative to burial. It allows families more time to plan a funeral service and final disposition of ashes. Aside from the obvious reason that it provides a more permanent final resting place, cremation also gives families more time to celebrate their loved one’s life. The ashes can be scattered or buried, kept close in an urn, or used creatively as part of the ceremony.
8. It’s Personal
Cremation is a great option that allows for a greater variety of memorialization options than burial. This can include holding a traditional funeral with a viewing or memorial service at the funeral home, then scattering the ashes at a place with special meaning to the deceased.
9. It’s Convenient
The traditional funeral process can be stressful and time-consuming. It involves coordinating with the cemetery, organizing pallbearers, and visiting hours, planning the memorial service, and more. Cremation requires less planning and is much easier on the family. Instead of a full funeral service, families can choose to have a simple ceremony called a “scattering” or a more elaborate celebration of life.
10. It’s Secure
Cremation reduces a body to ashes by exposing it to very high temperatures in a furnace called a cremation chamber or retort. It is done with great care by a crematorium operator. Traditional burial entails a long process that includes embalming the body to prepare it for viewing. This involves using formaldehyde, a chemical that is bad for the environment. For many families, this is not a necessary step for end-of-life care.