Cremation vs. Burial: How to Decide Which is Best?

End of life decisions are tough to make, especially if you're making them on behalf of a deceased loved one who didn’t leave any instructions regarding his or her wishes. One of the major decisions you'll have to make is whether you want to go with a burial or cremation, and having all the facts can certainly help make the choice easier.

Both cremation and burial are age-old human traditions, and both are safe methods of caring for the body of a deceased person. In the end, therefore, it comes down to personal wishes or the preferences of grieving friends and family, as well as a few other factors, including:

• Cost
• Environmental considerations
• Religious, spiritual, and philosophical beliefs
• Convenience

What’s the Impact on the Environment?

While cremation is often thought of as an environmentally friendly way of dealing with human remains, it isn't the greenest choice when it comes to end of life decisions. For one, cremating a body requires fossil fuels to power the crematory.

More and more funeral homes and cemeteries are offering green burials, which mitigate the environmental impact of a burial.

Other Things to Consider

Some religions have injunctions against cremation while it’s the standard for others, so if you're making a decision on behalf of a deceased loved one, you may want to look into his or her spiritual beliefs to see if religious traditions can offer guidance for your decision.

Regardless of the choice you make between cremation and burial; it’s important to note that you can still have the memorial service of your choice, such as a traditional funeral or a celebration of life. If you're making these decisions as part of your own funeral planning, be sure to express your wishes to a loved one. If you're making arrangements for a funeral around Syracuse, NY, contact Tindall Funeral Home today to discuss your options or start the planning process.