Losing a loved one can be an extremely stressful and traumatic experience. On top of that, you might even be responsible for handling the body of the deceased. This can be difficult, but it is important to decide if you want a traditional burial or a cremation. Here's a comparison of the two:

Cremation

The burning of a body in a specialized furnace. After the cremation, only ashes remain, which can then be placed in an urn or any other container. This container may then be stored for safekeeping, displayed as a sign of respect, or even thrown to the wind at a favorite location of the deceased. Most funeral homes have crematoriums, so the body doesn't need to be moved very far.

Burial

You're probably pretty familiar with burials. Modern burials are usually facilitated by cranes and excavators for digging the grave and lowering the casket. Ultimately, it costs quite a bit of money to rent this heavy equipment. Fortunately, you won't be spending as much as you might to rent these vehicles yourself, since the funeral home either has their own machinery or has a contract with a local machinery company.

When considering a funeral, you also have to think about the cost of buying a grave site, a tombstone, and a coffin. None of these things can be rented, but you can probably get a discount if you end up buying a family plot.

Cost

Cremations will generally cost significantly less than burials for a couple of reasons.

First, it's cheaper to turn on a furnace for a few minutes than it is to dig a grave, transport the casket to the graveyard, lower the casket into the grave, and then cover up the grave.

Second, you don't need to buy a casket for a cremation. On the other hand, you will need to buy a casket for a burial, which can cost several thousand dollars. Contact a professional funeral home, like J Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, for more information on the options they provide.

Personal Preference

The desires of the deceased must also be considered. A cremation is a simple, quick procedure that reduces the body to its basest components. A funeral leaves a body intact, but that body will then decompose over time. It is up to the individual to decide which fate is more desirable. An individual must decide whether they want their remains to be in a graveyard, stored in an urn, or scattered to the winds.

Unfortunately, some deaths occur before the deceased has voiced their desires regarding their funeral. In this case, the decision will rest with the closest next of kin, such as a spouse, child, sibling, or parent.