When most consumers ask the question “Is cremation cheaper than burial?” they often think of what is known as “direct” cremation. Direct cremation is when the family members of the deceased contract with a mortuary of their choice to remove the body from the location where death has occurred directly to the crematorium facility. Under this choice, there is no traditional funeral service in which the body is viewed by the family and friends of the deceased, although a memorial service of some type is usually held at a later time.
If direct cremation is chosen, the family members are responsible to disposal of the deceased’s ashes. Usually the deceased has left instructions, such as location or time of disposal, regarding their wishes as to disposal. In this case, the ashes are usually returned to the family in a simple cardboard or plastic container within a few days following death and the family assumes responsibility for disposal by scattering or some other method.
In some cases, the family may wish to have the ashes placed in some type of memorial facility such as a mausoleum or cemetery. If this option is chosen, the facility will practically always require that the ashes be placed inside a container such as an urn. The cost of such a container is in addition to the basic cremation charges and, depending on the material used in its construction, can often exceed the cost of cremation itself.
When asking “Is cremation cheaper than burial?” another option, and by far the more expensive, is cremation urns following the the traditional funeral service. Under this option, there body is cremated following the service rather than buried. Additional expenses such as embalming, the cost of a casket, and purchasing a burial space at a cemetery can easily add several thousand dollars to the costs of cremation if this option is selected.
In conclusion, when asking “Is cremation cheaper than burial?” the consumer should be aware of additional charges that may be attached to this service depending on external factors such as the wishes of the deceased, religious heritage, or the number of additional services to be provided.
