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Deciding between cremation services and burial is a difficult decision, especially while you are grieving or when a loved one did not leave behind a will. A lot of factors go into the decision, from familial traditions to religious customs. Below are some items to consider so you can determine which option is best for your family. 

Cremation Services vs. Burial

Timing

For families that don’t want to or are unable to have a memorial service directly following a loved one’s death, cremation is an attractive option. This is because the remains can be reduced to ash and placed in an urn. The urn can then be featured as the focal point at a service in place of the body. 

When families opt for a traditional burial, the funeral service must be held in the days following the loved one’s passing, as the body will be present. This requires immediate planning and may limit who can attend on such short notice. 

Cost

cremation servicesCremation is a cost-effective option for budget-conscious families. That’s because, unlike burials, the body does not need to be embalmed and a cemetery plot and casket do not need to be purchased. Though, families can reserve space in a columbarium for the urn if they choose. 

Those who decide on a traditional burial will likely pay more, but their preferences for their loved one’s final resting place overshadows the cost.  

Convenience

For families with distant roots, cremation provides a more flexible option. Not everyone may be able to attend the memorial service. Cremation offers the possibility of splitting up your loved one’s remains among the family. This way, everyone has a chance to honor them in their home or scatter the ashes in a place that was special to them. 

Burial requires family members to travel for the funeral and to visit the deceased once they have been interred. Despite this, some people prefer visiting a sacred place where they can bring flowers and reminisce on their loved one. 

 

Since the choice between burial and cremation services is such a personal one, it’s important to work with a funeral home you can trust. Built on compassion and respect, the team at McDonough, GA’s Cannon-Cleveland Funeral Directors has helped families heal for nearly 75 years. From pre-planning arrangements to planning the memorial service, this funeral home is available to help every step of the way. Learn more about them online, or call (770) 914-1414.

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