These days, most people prefer cremation to traditional funerals because it saves money, provided the funeral home is transparent and does not trick you with expensive add-ons. Direct cremation not only saves you the cost of a wake and funeral service, but also you can save by getting a burial space.
Nevertheless, choosing whether the departed loved one will be cremated or traditional burial is a personal decision taken by the person or members of the family. Also, take into consideration the wishes, feelings, and beliefs of your deceased relative.
Both cremation and burial can happen immediately after death, after a traditional funeral service, or before a memorial service. However, in cremation where the body is incinerated, the family can keep the ashes, scattered, buried in the soil or in a columbarium while in the traditional burial, the body can be buried in the ground or buried in a mausoleum. With both options, incineration is generally the most economical solution.
When deciding between burial and cremation, some objections and questions come up. One of the most common concerns is to respect the memory of the deceased and, by extension, their body. In some cultures, preserving the body is important while for others, it is unacceptable to have the remains buried underground.
While in some places, the wake is a major part of the funeral ritual. A lot of people mistakenly think that the choice of cremation as an option makes that impossible. In fact, it is not unusual to hold a viewing before the cremation.
Cremations are now promoted for social, technological, and philosophical reasons. For example, with rapid industrialization, more land is needed. As such, there are concerns about public hygiene due to corpses buried near the surface of the earth. Furthermore, technological advances have led to the creation of modern cremation equipment which can help reduce the body to its basic elements. However, one could protest about the gas emissions during cremation.
There has recently been a rise in the popularity of what is commonly known as natural or ecological burials. These types of funerals do not use embalming fluids and coffins are made of environmentally responsible and biodegradable materials.
Religious and cultural beliefs are also important in that decision. With the exception of Orthodox Judaism, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Islam, most religions embrace the cremation process. In fact, it has been practiced in Hinduism from time immemorial. For them, cremation not only serves as a way to dispose of the body, but also helps the deceased soul on its journey to the next world. While for some religions, earthly burial symbolizes the burial and resurrection of Christ.
It is important to respect the deceased or the family’s religious beliefs. Choosing which one is better is a deeply personal choice. To make it easier for the family to decide, getting a pre-planned funeral service is recommended. Pre-need life plan allows you to prepare for a funeral. It might sound crazy, but your family will have peace of mind knowing that everything has been prepared. In any case, you can always talk to a funeral director so you will be guided properly.
Filipinos are known and portrayed around the world as the…
READ MOREIn the Philippines, when you hear of a funeral or…
READ MORE
Being a new business owner can be tough in the…
READ MORE