Cremation services in Cranbury, NJ, have grown expeditiously in recent times compared to burial. But is it the right choice for everyone? Both burial and cremation have their advantages and disadvantages.

This article details the pros and cons of choosing cremation services for your final farewell.

Pros

1. Cremation is more eco-friendly than burial

Cremation services are more environmentally friendly than burial as they neither require embalming fluids nor take up valuable land space with non-biodegradable caskets.

Even when burial is chosen for the final disposition of ashes. It doesn’t take as much toll on the soil and surrounding area to dig and maintain an urn-sized grave compared to a full-body casket.

Cremation is also considered more sanitary than burial as it eliminates the possibility of spreading infectious diseases from decomposing bodies to the soil and groundwater.

2. Cremation can cost a lot less than traditional burial

Cremation services are often less expensive than a traditional burial. This is because key burial expenses like embalming, casket, burial plot, and monument costs can be avoided.

In the case of direct cremation, one saves even more since it doesn’t involve any ceremonies like a viewing, visitation, or funeral services.

3. It’s easier to dispose of ashes than to bury a body

Cremation allows for more wiggle room regarding personalizing funerals. You can scatter ashes in your backyard or at a favorite place, like the beach or mountains, but you can’t bury a body just anywhere.

You can take your loved one with you as part of your everyday accessories because cremated remains can be kept in lockets, pendants, rings, and charms. One can also incorporate ashes into art pieces, decor, and memorials.

4. Cremation is more flexible to plan

With cremation services, not only do you have more options on what you can do with the remains, you can take your time doing it, too, because ashes don’t decompose.

You may also have multiple or spaced-out memorials with cremation ashes in ways that would not be possible with a whole, decomposing body.

Cons

1. Cremation is not entirely eco-friendly

Cremation is a quicker, more efficient process than burial. Notwithstanding, while it does away with embalming and digging a grave, cremation is not as green as some might think.

It requires a lot of energy to cremate a body, and the process emits harmful chemicals like mercury and dioxins into the air.

On top of that, some cemeteries require burial urns made out of materials like metal, bronze, or granite. While they have some benefits, like durability, these materials are not environmentally sustainable.

2. Double disposition arrangements

Unlike burial services, where the crux of the funeral is to bury the deceased, cremation services often involve making disposition arrangements twice. First when the body is cremated, and the second involves permanently caring for the cremated remains.

Arranging an ash scattering, burial, or other alternative disposition services may take time and funds, in addition to the initial cost of cremating the body.

3. Cremation isn’t allowed in every culture and religion

Cremation is not as widely accepted as burial in some cultures, especially those that are more religious. Some denominations, like Roman Catholic Christians, have become more open to cremation than in the past.

However, other religions, like Islam, remain strongly opposed to the practice. For this reason, cremation isn’t for everyone.

If the pros of cremation outweigh the cons for you, you can begin planning yours right away with our Cranbury, NJ cremation service. However, if your values and preferences align more with burial, our funeral home also handles that. Call us today or visit us to get started.