Cremation vs Burial: How to Decide What's Right for You or Your Loved One

It's one of the most significant decisions you'll ever make—for yourself or for someone you love. Cremation or burial? There's no right answer that applies to everyone. Only the answer that feels right for you.

Maybe you're planning ahead for your own end-of-life wishes. Maybe you're helping a loved one who is dying. Maybe the decision has been thrust upon you suddenly, and you're trying to navigate it through grief.

Whatever brought you here, this guide will walk you through the key differences between cremation and burial—the practical considerations, the emotional weight, the environmental impact, and the questions that can help you find clarity.

This is not a decision anyone can make for you. But perhaps, by the end, you'll feel more confident in making it for yourself.

The Basics: What's the Difference?

Let's start with the fundamental distinction.

Burial is the traditional practice of placing the body in a casket and interring it in the ground, typically at a cemetery. The body is preserved through embalming (in most cases), placed in a burial vault, and marked with a headstone or grave marker.

Cremation is the process of reducing the body to ashes through high-temperature burning. The remaining ashes—called cremains—are then returned to the family, who can choose what to do with them: keep them in an urn, scatter them in a meaningful place, divide them among family members, or bury them.

Both options honor the deceased. Both allow for meaningful ceremonies. Both have been practiced across cultures for thousands of years. The question is which one aligns with your values, beliefs, and wishes.

Why Cremation Has Become More Common

In the United States, cremation has steadily risen in popularity over the past several decades. In 2023, the cremation rate surpassed 60% for the first time, and it continues to grow.

Reasons for this shift include:

Cost. Cremation is generally less expensive than traditional burial. Without the need for a casket, burial plot, vault, and embalming, families can save thousands of dollars.

Flexibility. Cremation allows families to take their time with memorial planning. There's no urgency to hold a service immediately. Ashes can be kept, scattered, or memorialized whenever the family is ready.

Mobility. In a society where families are often spread across the country or world, cremation allows ashes to travel. You can bring a loved one's remains to a meaningful location, share them among family members, or keep them with you if you move.

Environmental concerns. Many people are drawn to cremation as a more eco-friendly option, particularly when combined with biodegradable urns and natural scattering ceremonies.

Changing religious attitudes. Many religions that once prohibited cremation—including Catholicism—have relaxed their positions, making it an acceptable option for more families.

Personal preference. Some people simply prefer the idea of returning to the elements rather than being preserved in the ground.

Why Some Families Still Choose Burial

Despite the rise of cremation, burial remains a meaningful choice for many families.

Reasons families choose burial:

Tradition. For some, burial is what their family has always done. There's comfort in following the same practices as generations before.

Religious requirements. Some faiths—including Orthodox Judaism, Islam, and certain Christian denominations—require or strongly prefer burial. Following these traditions can be an important expression of faith.

A physical place to visit. A grave provides a permanent location to visit, leave flowers, and feel connected to the deceased. For some families, this tangible place of remembrance is deeply important.

Closure through the casket. The ritual of viewing the body, closing the casket, and watching it lowered into the ground provides a sense of finality that some people find comforting.

Family plots. Many families have existing cemetery plots where multiple generations are buried together. Continuing this tradition keeps the family connected across time.

Discomfort with cremation. Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of the body being burned. That discomfort is valid and worth honoring.

Key Factors to Consider

When deciding between cremation and burial, consider the following:

1. Cost

Burial costs typically include:

• Casket ($1,000–$10,000+)
• Burial plot ($1,000–$5,000+, varies widely by location)
• Grave opening and closing ($500–$1,500)
• Burial vault or liner ($500–$5,000)
• Headstone or grave marker ($500–$3,000+)
• Embalming and body preparation ($500–$1,000)
• Funeral service fees ($2,000–$5,000+)

Total traditional burial cost: $7,000–$15,000+ on average

Cremation costs typically include:

• Cremation fee ($1,000–$3,000)
• Urn ($50–$500 for simple options; more for elaborate designs)
• Memorial service (optional, varies)
• Scattering ceremony supplies (if applicable)

Total cremation cost: $2,000–$5,000 on average

Cremation is generally significantly less expensive, though costs vary by region and provider.

2. Environmental Impact

Neither traditional burial nor conventional cremation is perfectly eco-friendly, but there are differences.

Traditional burial concerns:

• Embalming uses formaldehyde and other chemicals that can leach into the soil
• Caskets use wood, metal, and non-biodegradable materials
• Burial vaults prevent natural decomposition
• Cemeteries require ongoing land use and maintenance

Cremation concerns:

• The cremation process uses significant energy (natural gas)
• It releases carbon emissions and trace pollutants into the atmosphere

Eco-friendly alternatives:

For those concerned about environmental impact, there are greener options within both paths:

• Green burial: No embalming, biodegradable casket or shroud, no vault, natural cemetery that allows the body to return to the earth
• Cremation with biodegradable urn: Ashes scattered in nature or buried in a biodegradable container that dissolves naturally
• Water burial with eco-friendly urn: Ashes placed in a biodegradable urn that floats briefly and then dissolves, leaving no trace

At Pachamama, we create biodegradable urns specifically for families who choose cremation and want an environmentally gentle way to return their loved one to nature.

3. Religious and Cultural Beliefs

Your faith tradition may have specific guidance on this decision.

Religions that generally require or prefer burial:

• Orthodox Judaism
• Islam
• Eastern Orthodox Christianity
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (preference, not requirement)

Religions that accept both cremation and burial:

• Roman Catholicism (accepted since 1963, with some guidelines)
• Most Protestant denominations
• Buddhism
• Hinduism (cremation is traditional)

Religions where cremation is traditional:

• Hinduism
• Sikhism
• Jainism

If religious practice is important to you, consult with your spiritual leader for guidance specific to your tradition.

4. What the Deceased Would Have Wanted

If you're making this decision for someone who has died, the most important question is: what would they have wanted?

Look for guidance in:

• A will or advance directive
• Conversations they may have had with family
• Their expressed values about simplicity, nature, tradition
• Their religious or spiritual beliefs
• Any previous comments about funerals or death

If you don't know their wishes, consider what aligns with how they lived. Were they traditional? Nature-loving? Practical? Spiritual? Let their life guide the decision.

5. The Needs of Those Left Behind

The ceremony and final resting place are not just for the deceased—they're also for the living.

Ask yourself:

• Do you need a physical place to visit and grieve?
• Would scattering ashes in a meaningful location bring more comfort?
• Does your family need time before holding a ceremony?
• Would keeping ashes at home feel comforting or unsettling?
• Are family members in different locations who might want to share the remains?

There's no wrong answer. The right choice is the one that helps you grieve and remember in a way that feels meaningful.

6. What Happens After

Both cremation and burial offer different options for what comes next.

After burial:

• The grave is a permanent site for visits
• The headstone can be personalized
• Family members can be buried nearby over time

After cremation:

• Ashes can be kept in an urn at home
• Ashes can be scattered in a meaningful location (ocean, mountain, garden)
• Ashes can be divided among family members
• Ashes can be buried in a cemetery or memorial garden
• Ashes can be turned into jewelry, art, or other memorial objects
• Ashes can be placed in a biodegradable urn for a water ceremony

The flexibility of cremation appeals to many families who want options rather than a single fixed location.

Questions to Help You Decide

If you're still unsure, sit with these questions:

For yourself (if planning ahead):

• What feels right in my gut when I imagine each option?
• What aligns with my spiritual or religious beliefs?
• Do I want a specific place where loved ones can visit?
• Is environmental impact important to me?
• What would be easiest for my family to manage?

For a loved one (if deciding for them):

• What did they express while alive?
• What aligns with how they lived their life?
• What would bring the most comfort to those grieving?
• Are there religious or cultural traditions to honor?
• What can we realistically afford?

You Don't Have to Choose Just One

Here's something many people don't realize: cremation and burial aren't mutually exclusive.

Combination options include:

• Cremation followed by burial of ashes: The body is cremated, and the ashes are buried in a cemetery plot—often in a smaller space and at lower cost than a full burial.
• Cremation with some ashes scattered and some kept: Many families divide ashes, scattering some in a meaningful place while keeping a portion in a keepsake urn at home.
• Cremation with multiple memorials: Because ashes can be transported, families can hold ceremonies in different locations for different family members.
• Body donation followed by cremation: Some choose to donate their body to medical science; afterward, the remains are cremated and returned to the family.

The flexibility of cremation allows for personalized approaches that honor both the deceased and the needs of those left behind.

Making the Decision Together

If you're making this decision as a family, differences of opinion can arise. One sibling may want burial; another may prefer cremation. Here's how to navigate disagreement:

Start with the deceased's wishes. If they expressed a preference, that should guide the decision regardless of individual family members' opinions.

Listen to understand, not to argue. Each person's feelings come from somewhere—tradition, religion, grief, love. Try to understand why someone feels the way they do.

Focus on what you agree on. Maybe you all agree on wanting an environmentally gentle option, or a meaningful ceremony, or honoring a particular tradition.

Consider compromise options. Could some ashes be scattered while others are buried? Could a memorial service satisfy those who want tradition while cremation satisfies practical needs?

Remember what matters most. Ultimately, this decision is about honoring someone you all loved. Try to keep that shared love at the center.

What Happens During Each Process

Understanding what actually happens can help some people decide.

What Happens During Burial

1. The body is transported to a funeral home
2. Embalming preserves the body (optional but common)
3. The body is dressed and placed in a casket
4. A viewing or visitation may be held
5. A funeral service takes place (at funeral home, church, or graveside)
6. The casket is transported to the cemetery
7. A graveside ceremony may be held
8. The casket is lowered into the grave
9. The grave is filled and a marker is placed

What Happens During Cremation

1. The body is transported to a crematorium
2. Legal paperwork and permits are completed
3. The body is placed in a cremation container
4. The cremation takes place (2-3 hours at high temperature)
5. Remaining bone fragments are processed into fine ashes
6. Ashes are placed in a temporary container or urn
7. Ashes are returned to the family
8. The family decides what to do with the ashes
9. A memorial service can be held at any time

A Word About Pre-Planning

If you're reading this to plan for yourself, consider the gift you're giving your family by making this decision now.

When loved ones have to make cremation-vs-burial decisions while grieving, it can be overwhelming and can lead to conflict. By documenting your wishes clearly—in a will, advance directive, or simply a written letter—you remove that burden.

Be specific: Do you want cremation or burial? If cremation, what should be done with your ashes? If burial, where? What kind of ceremony, if any?

The more clarity you provide, the more peace you give your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cremation cheaper than burial?

Yes, typically significantly so. Traditional burial costs $7,000–$15,000 on average, while cremation costs $2,000–$5,000. However, costs vary by location and provider.

Is cremation bad for the environment?

Cremation does use energy and produce emissions, but it avoids the chemicals used in embalming and the land use of cemeteries. Pairing cremation with a biodegradable urn and natural scattering is considered an eco-friendly option.

Can I have a funeral with cremation?

Yes. You can hold a traditional funeral service with the body present before cremation, or a memorial service with the ashes present afterward. Cremation does not eliminate the option for ceremony.

What religions prohibit cremation?

Orthodox Judaism and Islam generally require burial. Some Christian denominations prefer burial but don't prohibit cremation. Many religions accept both. Consult your spiritual leader for specific guidance.

Can ashes be buried in a cemetery?

Yes. Many cemeteries have sections for cremated remains, often called columbaria or memorial gardens. Ashes can be buried in a much smaller space than a full casket.

How do I know what my loved one would have wanted?

Check for written documents like a will or advance directive. Recall any conversations they had about death or funerals. Consider their values, religious beliefs, and how they lived. When in doubt, choose what brings the most peace to those grieving.

Whichever Path You Choose

At Pachamama, we serve families who have chosen cremation and are looking for a meaningful, eco-friendly way to honor their loved ones. Our biodegradable urns are designed to float gently on water before dissolving, returning ashes to nature in a beautiful ceremony.

But we also believe this: the "right" choice is the one that honors the person who died and brings comfort to those who remain.

Whether you choose burial or cremation, what matters most is love. The love you carry forward. The love you express through ceremony. The love that continues long after the body is gone.

Trust yourself. Trust your heart. You'll find the answer that's right for you.

With warmth,

Virginia