End-of-life planning

Cremation vs burial: Which option suits you best?

Nov 21, 2022

Did you know that being cremated gives you more flexibility to choose how you want to be remembered? Image source: Getty

When it comes to funerals, there has been a shift in how people think about death and how they wish to honour those who have passed. As people step away from religion to hold a funeral that reflects and celebrates who they were in life, the future of funerals is changing.

With services like Willed, not only can you preplan your funeral to save your loved ones from further grief, but there are also options such as prepaying for your cremation, which can take the stress off your family during an emotional time.

There are many ways you can celebrate your last ‘hurrah’. From eco-friendly funerals to DIY and DNA memorials, there are many ways you can take full control of your last rites. But regardless of what you choose, when a person passes away, there are two main options available when it comes to making a decision about your remains: you can opt between a burial or a cremation.

So, how do you decide between the two and what are the major benefits of each?

Burial

Burials are viewed as the more traditional option, allowing the passed to be buried in a coffin underground, and become one with the earth.

Resting place with your loved ones

One of the biggest benefits of burial is the option of being buried in a family plot.

This ensures the deceased remains with loved ones in death in a permanent place of remembrance. It can be cathartic for grieving friends and family to have a physical place to visit and process their loss.

A final goodbye

Burials also give your loved ones the option of an open casket to say their final goodbyes one last time before the body is taken to its final resting place.

Sustainable options available

Lastly, with a shift towards environmentally friendly funerals, the deceased can opt to be buried in a sustainable coffin that’s made of cardboard or wicker. As standard caskets take longer to deteriorate, choosing the more sustainable option aids in the natural decay process.

Cremation

Cremation has a vast range of benefits that have led to this funeral service becoming more and more popular. In fact, data shows that some 70% of Australian deaths end with cremation.

The more affordable choice

One of the major reasons people are opting for cremation comes down to cost. In Australia, a traditional burial can cost around $15,000 and if the funeral planning is unexpected, this fee can present a considerable burden and catch your loved ones off guard. In contrast, the average cost of a direct cremation service is just a fraction of that amount.

Now, cremation is even easier with platforms like Willed offering you the option to prepay for your cremation and even plan the funeral service online so you can give your family peace of mind when the time comes. This way, you’ll be able to lock in today’s prices without worrying about the rising cost of living and future price increases.

Flexibility to plan your memorial service your way

Another appealing element of cremation is flexibility.

By choosing to be cremated, you have the ability to plan a memorial service that truly encompasses who you are as you’re not held back by the constraints of a funeral home.

Cremation also allows your loved ones to commemorate your life as you choose. For example, your ashes could be turned into jewellery, added into fireworks, planted into a tree or scattered in a location that’s dear to your heart. The options are endless!

However, similar to burials, the option of a permanent resting place is still available if you or your loved ones would prefer. You could have your ashes interred at a cemetery, with some cemeteries offering the option to be interred in a wall niche or in a flower garden on site.

Environmentally friendly

Although the cremation process emits more carbon than a burial, the overall environmental impact is actually smaller. That’s because there’s no need to build an extravagant, decorative coffin or to disrupt the earth to dig or maintain a burial plot.

Which option is best?

Overall, when it comes to burial vs cremation, there is no right or wrong answer.

Both burial and cremation options are ultimately about honouring a life that has passed on and the best option is the one that feels fitting for you and your loved ones.

However, if you’re looking for the most cost-effective option to save you money, time and stress, you can prepay for your cremation to lock in today’s prices for peace of mind. We have partnered with Willed, Australia’s leading end-of-life specialists, to give Starts at 60 readers an exclusive discount of $50 off prepaid cremations for a limited time only.