Burial vs Cremation

Burial and cremation are both respectful choices, and the right one depends on a family's faith, budget, timeline and wishes for a place of remembrance. Cremation usually costs less and offers more flexibility, while burial provides a permanent grave that family can visit. Many families also choose a middle path, such as cremation followed by burial of the urn in a cemetery.

A quick side-by-side comparison

All costs are approximate and vary by region and provider. For a detailed breakdown of burial costs, see How Much Does a Burial Cost?.

Cost

Cost is often the first consideration. Burial costs more mainly because of four items: the plot, opening and closing the grave, an outer burial container, and a casket. A headstone or marker adds more.

Cremation can range from very simple to quite full:

• Direct cremation includes transport, paperwork and the cremation itself, with no viewing or service. It is usually the least expensive option.
• Cremation with a memorial service adds a gathering, with or without the urn present.
• Cremation after a traditional funeral includes a viewing and funeral service (often with a rental casket), followed by cremation. This can approach the cost of a burial.

If you place the urn in a cemetery, add the cost of a cremation plot or columbarium niche, which is still usually far less than a full-size grave.

The FTC Funeral Rule applies to both choices. Funeral homes must give you an itemized price list, and for direct cremation they must make an alternative container available rather than requiring a casket.

Religious and cultural views

Faith often guides this decision, and within any tradition, individual communities and families may differ.

• Catholic Church: Cremation has been permitted since the 1960s, though burial is preferred. The Church asks that cremated remains be buried or placed in a columbarium in a sacred place, rather than scattered or kept at home. Many Catholic cemeteries have columbaria and urn gardens for this reason.
• Judaism: Traditional Jewish law calls for burial, usually as soon as possible after death. Some Reform communities accept cremation, and practices vary among congregations. See Jewish cemeteries.
• Islam: Burial is required, typically within a day of death, and cremation is not permitted.
• Eastern Orthodox churches: Generally require burial.
• Most Protestant denominations: Generally accept either choice.
• Hinduism and Buddhism: Cremation is common and often traditional.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Encourages burial, while leaving the decision to families.

If you are unsure, a conversation with a clergy member can clarify what your tradition expects. Our guide to Religious Burial Customs in the US goes into more detail.

Timeline and flexibility

A burial usually happens within several days of death, and some faiths expect it within a day or two. That can feel rushed, especially when relatives need to travel.

Cremation gives families more time. A memorial service can be scheduled when everyone can attend, and the urn can be buried, placed in a niche, or scattered later. Keep in mind that most states require a waiting period and a signed authorization before cremation, and some require a medical examiner's review, so cremation is not always faster than burial in the first days.

A place to visit

For many families, a permanent place to visit matters a great deal. Burial provides a grave with a headstone, often near other family members.

Cremation does not rule this out. Options include:

• A columbarium niche, a small compartment in a wall or building designed for urns. See What Is a Columbarium?
• An urn garden or cremation plot with a small marker
• Burial of the urn in an existing family grave, which many cemeteries allow
• A memorial bench, boulder or tree in some cemeteries

Browse cemeteries with cremation options and cemeteries with columbariums to see what is available near you.

Scattering is legal in many places, with rules. On private land, get the owner's permission. At sea, the EPA's rules for burial at sea generally require scattering at least three nautical miles from shore and notifying the EPA within 30 days. Public parks and other public lands often have their own rules or permit requirements.

Environmental considerations

Neither option is without an environmental footprint. Conventional burial uses land and often involves a concrete vault, a metal or hardwood casket, and sometimes embalming. Cremation uses significant energy and produces emissions.

Families who want a lower-impact option often consider:

• Green burial, with no embalming, a biodegradable casket or shroud, and no vault. See green cemeteries and What Is Green Burial?
• Alkaline hydrolysis (sometimes called water cremation), which is legal in a growing number of states but not everywhere
• Natural organic reduction (human composting), which is legal in a limited number of states

Veterans

Eligible veterans can choose either burial or placement of cremated remains in a VA national cemetery, with no charge for the gravesite or niche, opening and closing, headstone or marker, and perpetual care. See our veterans cemeteries directory.

How to decide

A few questions can help families reach a decision together:

1. Did the person express a wish, in writing or in conversation?
2. What does your faith tradition teach or prefer?
3. Is a permanent place to visit important to the family?
4. Is there an existing family plot with room?
5. What budget feels responsible for the family?
6. Does anyone need more time to travel or prepare?