If your loved one has passed on and you are in charge of making decisions regarding their funeral, it is always a good thing to get all the support and guidance you need. This will surely be a difficult time for everyone, but with the proper support, your burden can be easier to carry. One thing you may have to decide on, however, is whether or not your loved one will have a cremation or burial if they have not made their wishes known. But what are the aspects involved in each, and how can you choose? Here’s how you can decide whether to have a cremation or burial for a loved one: your essential guide.
The costs with each
Almost everyone will already know that the expenses associated with cremation are less costly than with a burial, but the average cost will also differ depending on where you are in the UK. On average, however, you can expect to spend about 3900 for a cremation. For a burial, the average cost would be around 5000. But with both, you also have to think about other expenses. These include the location of the burial ground or cremation, because it will have an effect on the cost of transport, and you also have to consider the kind of service that you will have because this will influence the overall cost as well.
The process of each
Most people would like to have a good understanding of the process of each so they can make their decision accordingly.
- The process of cremation
The process of cremation involves bringing the casket or coffin to the crematorium, and pallbearers can help with this. You can choose the pallbearers or have them assigned by your funeral director, such as the funeral directors from www.carrollandcarrollfunerals.co.uk. The casket or coffin will be placed on a platform, referred to as a catafalque, and it will be ready for another process called a committal. The committal process can vary depending on the crematoria, but most will either close curtains surrounding the casket, and some will lower the casket until it is no longer seen.
When the committal is finished, the casket will then be taken to a room. The paperwork will be assessed and checked prior to placing the casket in the cremator. Cremations can last from 60 to 90 minutes, and afterwards, the ashes will be placed in an urn, ready to be collected.
- The process of burial
Most everyone is familiar with burial services, and it often happens after the funeral service. It involves lowering the casket into the ground, and it is often a tradition for the mourners to scatter handfuls of soil on top of the casket as well. Others opt to throw flowers into the open grave.
A memorial
Whether you opt for a cremation or burial, you can have a memorial. In burials, it is common to have a headstone placed on the burial plot. But you can also choose to have a statue, bench, or tree to commemorate your loved one.
With the process of cremation, the ashes will be returned to the deceased’s loved ones, and many choose to scatter their ashes in a special or memorable location. They can also opt for a memorial plaque or plant their loved one’s ashes with a tree, and they can even opt for the creation of jewellery using the ashes.
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