Burial or Cremation

Choosing between burial and cremation is a deep and personal choice that many people struggle with, but direct cremation in Gahanna, OH is here to the rescue. Cremation has been more popular in recent years, overtaking burial as the most popular option. However, while making a decision, several things are to be considered.

The Most Significant Differences

Let’s start with some distinctions and differences between cremation and burial. When cremated, a body is burnt and leaves just ashes behind. The body is then preserved when it is buried. Following a funeral service or before a memorial service, cremation and burial can occur right after death. The body can be put in the ground or entombed in a mausoleum in the case of a burial. On the other hand, the family can keep cremated remains scattered, buried, or interred in a columbarium. Cremation is the more cost-effective option between the two depending on the package.

The Remains Should Be Respected

The desire to be respectful to the deceased’s memory and, by extension, their body is one of the most common concerns people express. It’s worth noting, however, that for some people, this means preserving the body’s integrity, while for others, allowing the remains to decay underground is not good for them.

Viewing the body is a crucial aspect of the funeral process in many cultures and faiths. Many individuals assume that opting for cremation makes this impossible. If embalming is required or desired by the family, the service is performed by a licensed embalmer. In most situations, the funeral director is also a licensed embalmer, making these arrangements easy to coordinate. In reality, viewing is not commonplace before cremation.

Environmental Repercussions

If you are concerned about the environment, both burial and cremation have advantages and disadvantages. Supporters of both options disagree on which has the least harmful environmental impact. Some claim that many contaminants are released during the cremation process. Others argue that cremation is a more environmentally friendly option because of the lack of biodegradability of typical casket materials and the toxicity of embalming fluids. Natural or eco-burials have become increasingly popular in recent years. These burials do not employ embalming fluids, and the coffins are composed of biodegradable and environmentally acceptable materials.

Religious Opinions

Christians have a wide range of opinions regarding cremation. The Catholic Church prohibited cremation until the 1960s when the decision changed. However, the cremated remains must be interred rather than scattered or carried home by the survivors.

Cremation is prohibited by Baptist and other fundamentalist Christian groups and the Eastern Orthodox Church, although Methodist seventh-day Adventist and Lutheran churches allow it.

Cremation has always been disapproved of in Judaism. However, some Jews are gradually accepting it. Some religions in the East, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, require cremation. While Sikhs prefer cremation for cultural reasons, burial is not forbidden. For Muslims, cremation is prohibited.

The choice to be buried or cremated is complicated and very personal. If you’re still having trouble with it, you might want to talk to your family or other loved ones. You can also seek the advice and aid of a funeral director. Direct cremation in Gahanna, OH is always ready to help and provide you with the best possible disposition process.