Cremation recently surpassed traditional burial as the most common form of final disposition in the United States, with more than 57% of Americans choosing it. But that doesn't make it the right choice for everyone. Here's what you need to know to make an informed decision — or to document your own preference for your family.
The Basics: What Each Option Involves
Traditional burial
Traditional burial typically involves:
- The body is embalmed (if there will be a viewing) or refrigerated
- A visitation or wake allows family and friends to pay respects
- A funeral service is held (religious or secular)
- The body is buried in a casket in a cemetery plot
Burial preserves the body in a physical location, which some families find meaningful as a permanent place to visit and grieve.
Cremation
Cremation reduces the body to bone fragments through intense heat. It typically involves:
- The body is cremated (usually within days of death, unless a viewing is planned first)
- Cremated remains are returned to the family in an urn or container
- A memorial service may be held before or after cremation, or not at all
- Remains are handled according to the family's wishes
Cremation provides flexibility in timing, location of remains, and type of service — which appeals to many families.
Cost Comparison
| Option | Average cost range | What's typically included |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cremation | $700–$2,500 | Transportation, cremation, basic container, return of remains. No service. |
| Cremation with memorial service | $3,000–$8,000 | Direct cremation + memorial service, urn, venue |
| Graveside burial (simple) | $3,000–$6,000 | Burial container, grave opening/closing, graveside service. No funeral home viewing. |
| Traditional burial (full service) | $7,000–$12,000+ | Embalming, casket, funeral service, burial. Cemetery plot purchased separately. |
| Cemetery plot | $1,000–$4,000+ | Varies widely by location. Urban cemeteries cost significantly more. |
| Columbarium niche (for cremains) | $500–$3,000+ | Indoor or outdoor niche in a wall structure for cremated remains |
For a full cost breakdown, see our guide on how much a funeral costs.
Environmental Considerations
Both traditional burial and conventional cremation have environmental impacts, though different ones:
- Traditional burial uses embalming chemicals (formaldehyde), a non-biodegradable casket (typically), and permanent land use in a cemetery.
- Conventional cremation uses significant natural gas and releases CO₂ and other emissions.
Greener alternatives exist for both:
- Green/natural burial — no embalming, a biodegradable container or shroud, and burial in a natural burial ground. The body decomposes naturally. This is the most environmentally gentle option.
- Alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation) — uses water and potassium hydroxide instead of flame. Available in about 28 states; uses significantly less energy than conventional cremation and produces no direct air emissions.
- Human composting (natural organic reduction) — legally available in a growing number of states; converts the body into soil over 45–60 days.
Religious and Cultural Considerations
| Faith tradition | Typical position on cremation |
|---|---|
| Protestant Christianity (most denominations) | Permitted; neutral |
| Catholic | Permitted since 1963; prefers remains be kept together and interred |
| Islam | Generally prohibited; earth burial required as soon as possible |
| Orthodox Judaism | Generally prohibited; prompt earth burial required |
| Conservative/Reform Judaism | Increasingly permitted |
| Hinduism | Required; cremation is the traditional practice |
| Buddhism | Typical practice (following the Buddha's example) |
| Eastern Orthodox Christianity | Generally discouraged |
What Happens to Cremated Remains?
Cremation gives families significant flexibility in how they handle remains. Common options include:
- Cemetery burial — a cremation plot or columbarium niche; provides a permanent location to visit
- Keeping at home — in an urn or decorative container
- Scattering — at sea, in mountains, in a meaningful location (check local regulations)
- Memorial jewelry — small amounts incorporated into glass pendants, rings, or similar
- Memorial diamonds — carbon from remains compressed into lab-grown diamonds (Eterneva, Heart in Diamond)
- Memorial reef — remains mixed into an artificial reef ball placed in the ocean
- Tree pod burial — remains placed near a memorial tree
How to Make This Decision
Consider:
- Religious or cultural guidelines — your faith tradition may provide clear guidance
- Family preferences — a permanent burial location matters to some families; others prefer flexibility
- Budget — direct cremation is significantly less expensive
- Environmental values — if this is important to you, explore green burial or aquamation
- Practical circumstances — if family members are geographically dispersed, cremation with divided or scattered remains may be more practical
Document Your Preference
Whatever you decide, the most important thing is to document it clearly so your family knows your wishes. Verbal instructions are easily forgotten or disputed. Include your preference in your end-of-life planning documents, and use FinalKeepSake's Final Wishes section to record it clearly for the people you love.