Struggling to make a crucial cremation or burial decision?
When it comes to burial versus cremation, there are some key factors to bear in mind, including cost, religious beliefs, personal preferences, and even their environmental impact.
Allow the understanding team at Middleton’s Funeral Services to help you make a more informed choice as to what’s best for your loved one.
Which is better: Burial or cremation?
Religious beliefs
Many religions either strongly discourage or outright forbid cremation. For example, if your loved one was a practitioner of Islam, Orthodox Judaism, or the Eastern Orthodox Church, then it’s likely that they would not want to be cremated – in line with the teachings and beliefs of these religions.
Conversely, Hinduism is the only religion that outlines cremation (also known as “Antim Sanskar” or last rites) as the preferred method of handling the body.
Often seen as a central and guiding force for followers of religion, understanding the departed’s religious beliefs is often the first step to determining whether they would like to be buried or cremated.
Personal preferences
Commonly linked to religious beliefs is the departed’s personal preferences about cremation and burials. Their personal preferences can be determined by a combination of factors, such as family traditions, faith, and personal comfort.
Put simply, their personal preferences are what feels most meaningful to them. For example, some individuals may feel a greater connection to the idea of having their ashes scattered or kept in an urn in the home of a friend or family member.
Alternatively, they may want to be buried next to other family members in a dedicated burial plot. Comparing burial versus cremation through the lens of personal preference is essential to selecting your loved one’s final resting place.
Cost considerations
In terms of practicality, the typical cost of burials and funerals can’t be ignored.
According to Legal & General’s Funeral Costs Research, 2024, the average cost for a cremation in 2024 was £4,431. This sum takes into account the crematorium and minister’s fees, as well as the funeral director’s chargers and doctor’s fees.
It adds that direct cremations (where there’s no formal funeral ceremony or memorial service) costs £1,557 on average.
Based on the same research, the average UK cost of a burial in 2024 was significantly more at £5,894. This covers the burial charges (the cost of buying a plot), minister’s fee, director’s charges, and the fee for both digging the grave and placing the coffin into the ground.
While burials tend to be the more expensive option, costs can vary depending on additional arrangements, the type of service you require, and the region of the cremation or burial.
Environmental impact
Both burials and cremations in the UK can have an impact on the environment. Some of the key environmental concerns about cremation include the release of carbon emissions and potential mercury.
Burials on the other hand, can contribute to groundwater pollution caused by embalming fluids containing formaldehyde. Other factors such as non-biodegradable coffins and the significant amount of land taken up by cemeteries adds to their environmental impact.
However, both burials and cremations are moving towards greener options. For burials, this includes biodegradable coffins, limiting the use of embalming fluids, and burying the deceased in natural areas.
Greener solutions also exist for cremations, such as direct cremation, carbon offsetting, and metal recycling to recover recyclable materials commonly used in prosthetics and implants.
If the departed feels particularly passionate about the environment and reducing their carbon footprint, you may want to consider greener options or planning a simpler service with fewer vehicle emissions and energy consumption.
How Middleton’s Funeral Services can assist
Be it a burial or cremation, our family run independent funeral directors can provide a comprehensive and cost-effective package, ensuring a bespoke and respectful final farewell for your loved one.
With nearly a decade of invaluable experience supporting families through their toughest times, our burial and cremation services in Middleton cover all the major ceremony aspects, preparations, and arrangements in accordance with the departed’s religion, faith or beliefs.
Concerned about cost? We understand that the costs of burials and cremations can quickly add up, making an already difficult time even harder. This is why we offer greater flexibility with both financial plans and the course of the ceremony.
For help with cremation or burial services in Middleton that meet all your loved one’s wishes, please don’t hesitate to give our compassionate team a call today on 0161 204 7884.
Alternatively, you can also get in touch via email at info@middletonsfunerals.com or using our convenient contact form.