In recent years, cremation has become an increasingly popular option for Americans putting a loved one to rest. However, traditional funeral services and burials are still important parts of many family traditions. How do you know which one is right for yourself or a recently deceased family member? Here, Robert W. Waid Funeral Home of Meadville, PA, compares important aspects of the two services, so you can make an informed decision. 

How Cremation & Burial Services Differ

Cost

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the median cost of a traditional funeral and burial reached $7,181 in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available. A viewing service and cremation had a median cost $6,078 the same year. Although these prices are comparable, a cremation without a funeral home service is the least expensive option, in many cases costing less than $1,000. 

Visitation

One reason burials remain popular is because friends and family can visit the deceased's grave. For many people, this long-term consideration is important, especially if they lived in the same community their whole lives. People who choose cremation can also be interred, but many cemeteries place several urns in a single plot or columbarium vault, which can make visiting the site feel less intimate. However, cremation gives family members the option of displaying the urn in their home or dividing the ashes among relatives, which can also provide comfort.

Flexibility

Traditional funeral services and burials require a great deal of coordination, which can be difficult during an emotionally challenging time. If the death was unexpected, the family might not have a plan in place, adding to their stress. Cremation gives families more time to plan a thoughtful service, as they can elect to hold a memorial at a later date. Many people take this opportunity to visit a special place and scatter the ashes with loved ones.

For over a century, Robert W. Waid Funeral Home has provided tasteful, compassionate funerals in for families in Meadville. In addition to funeral and memorial services, the staff offers funeral preplanning services that allow people to express their wishes and simplify the end-of-life process. Visit the funeral home's website or call (814) 724-1021 to learn about its wide array of services.