Deciding between cremation and burial is one of the most important choices when arranging a funeral. While roughly 75% of funerals in the UK are now cremations, the decision is deeply personal. Knowing your preferences can make the process simpler for your family and ensure your wishes are respected.
In this article, we’ll take you through the key differences between cremation and burial and offer practical guidance to help you make a decision. There is no single right answer, and both options have their own advantages and considerations.
Once you feel clearer about the choice, you can then focus on the style of farewell that best reflects your or your loved one’s wishes.
Understanding your options
When comparing cremation and burial, several factors should be considered. Cost, location, religious or cultural traditions, and personal preference all play a part. It is also worth remembering that a funeral can include more than one element.
For example, you might choose a cremation or a burial, but still hold a separate memorial service, or incorporate personal touches such as music, readings, or poems.
Understanding the practical differences between the two main options helps you plan a service that feels right.
Cremation as a funeral service
Cremation is the most common choice for UK families, and funeral services involving cremation can take many forms.
The most traditional approach is to combine the funeral ceremony and the committal into one event at the crematorium. This keeps arrangements simple and convenient for families, though it means the service is often limited to between 30 and 45 minutes.
In the past, it was common to hold a funeral service in a church, followed by a brief committal at the crematorium, often attended by just a few close family members. Today, many families prefer a small, private cremation followed by a memorial or farewell service elsewhere, such as a church, hall, or family home.
Separating the cremation from the main farewell allows more freedom to create a service that reflects personal wishes. A pure cremation, also known as direct cremation, in particular, gives families complete flexibility. There is no need to schedule the service around the crematorium diary, and many families choose to make the ashes an important part of a later farewell.
Burial and a traditional funeral
Burial services usually have a pretty standard setup. The main event is the burial of the coffin, which typically happens in a churchyard or cemetery. The funeral ceremony takes place in a chapel or a place of worship, where the coffin is present. After that, there's the actual burial, which is usually a quick affair and might include a reading, a poem, or some prayers.
It’s important to consider logistics and planning for transportation since burial plots can sometimes be far from the ceremony site.
Reasons to choose burial
There are several reasons people decide on a burial:
- Tradition: Burial is familiar and conventional, often the option people expect culturally.
- A permanent graveside: A burial provides a fixed location to visit, which can be comforting for family and friends over the years.
- Religious or cultural beliefs: Some faiths, including Orthodox Judaism, Islam, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity, require burial.
- Formal goodbye: The ritual of a full funeral with a burial service can provide closure and support the grieving process.
- Honouring the deceased’s wishes: Some people express a clear preference for burial based on personal, cultural, or spiritual reasons.
Reasons to choose cremation
Cremation also has several advantages, making it a popular choice:
- Cost: Cremations are generally more affordable than burials. There is no need for a burial plot, headstone, or extensive land fees.
- Environmental considerations: Cremation can be a greener option, as it avoids disturbing land or requiring transportation to distant cemeteries.
- Simplicity: The process is straightforward and can be easier to organise.
- Flexibility: Cremation allows for a wider range of options for the ashes. You can scatter them in a meaningful location, keep them in a memorial urn, wear them in jewellery, or even incorporate them into creative memorials.
Burial of ashes
For families who prefer cremation but also want a place to visit, the interment of ashes can be a practical and meaningful option.
- Cemetery plots: Ashes take up less space, making burial more affordable. Family members can share plots to rest alongside loved ones.
- Columbarium: Some cemeteries offer vaults for storing ashes, often leased for a set period.
- Private land: Ashes may also be buried on private property with the landowner’s permission, offering another way to personalise the farewell.
Comparing costs
There is a noticeable cost difference between cremation and burial:
- Cremation: A traditional funeral with cremation costs around £3,980 on average. Direct cremation is the most affordable option, and can save families £2,000 compared to a traditional funeral.
- Burial: The average cost of a funeral with burial is £5,198. Costs vary depending on the coffin, funeral director fees, and cemetery charges. Woodland or natural burial plots can be cheaper, but additional fees still apply.
Flexibility and timing
Cremation offers greater flexibility. You can hold the main service at a later date or at a different location from the committal. This can be particularly helpful for families needing time to make arrangements or for relatives travelling long distances.
Ashes can also be shared between family members, stored, scattered, or incorporated into keepsakes, giving more opportunities to personalise the memorial. If you want more ideas on what to do with ashes, we have gathered over 20 ideas in this article.
Environmental considerations
Both cremation and burial have environmental impacts:
- Cremation: Uses fuel and energy, and can release mercury from dental fillings. Many crematoria, including Pure Cremation, have filters to reduce emissions. We use the latest cremation and filtration equipment to ensure that the air emitted from our crematorium is extremely clean.
- Burial: Requires land, and embalming fluids containing formaldehyde may seep into soil. Limited cemetery space in the UK means new plots are becoming increasingly scarce.
Each choice carries trade-offs, and environmental concerns may influence the decision for some families.
Religious views
Religious beliefs can strongly influence the choice between cremation and burial:
- Christianity: Most denominations now permit cremation, though some prefer burial to preserve the body. The Catholic Church requires ashes to be kept together and interred in consecrated ground.
- Islam: Burial is required. Cremation is considered forbidden.
- Judaism: Orthodox Jewish law prohibits cremation.
- Eastern Orthodox Christianity: Traditionally opposes cremation, favouring burial.
Understanding and respecting religious requirements is important when planning a funeral.
Making the choice
Ultimately, the decision between cremation and burial is highly personal. It depends on your own beliefs, the wishes of your loved one, practical considerations, and family traditions.
Whether you are arranging a funeral for a loved one who did not leave instructions or planning ahead for yourself, the key is to make an informed decision that feels right. Once the choice is made, you can focus on creating a farewell that truly reflects the life and personality of the person being remembered.
If you would like more information on arranging a cremation or burial, or guidance on planning a personalised farewell, we have a helpful guide for that.
