When it comes to your funeral service, one of the biggest decisions you will face is opting for burial or cremation. While the former may be more traditional, cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice in the funeral industry. So how do you know which one is right for you? In the following sections, you can compare and contrast the two avenues to make an informed decision.

Burial

Traditional burials start with embalming, a process which preserves the body’s natural tissues. From there, the deceased is placed in a casket, and the body may be viewed at a pre-funeral event called a wake. This offers friends and family members the chance to say goodbye to a familiar face, as well as remember you looking your best. On the day of the burial service, the casket is sealed and delivered to the cemetery, then lowered into the ground during a reverent ceremony.

Eventually, the casket is buried and a headstone or memorial is placed to mark the grave, typically engraved with the individual’s name, birth and death dates, and sometimes a heartfelt message. One of the most beautiful aspects of a burial is that the family will always have a place to visit and pay their respects, where their loved one was ceremoniously returned to the earth.

Cremation

Since it eliminates embalming and the need for a casket, cremation will subtract from the total funeral costs. Once the body is incinerated, there are far more ways to commemorate the remains than there are with burials. While some family members might wish to keep the ashes in an urn in their home, others might want to have them buried or placed in a columbarium.

You can even request for your ashes to be scattered in a place of sentimental value—such as the place where you met your spouse, or a breathtaking locale you always wanted to visit. While this doesn’t always allow friends and family a permanent place of visitation, ash scattering ceremonies can be a beautiful and symbolic way for families to let go of their loved one in a cherished, memorable environment.

If you’ve decided between burial and cremation and would like to start pre-planning your funeral, get in touch with Herman-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Wisconsin Rapids, WI. They’ve been serving area residents since 1953 and are happy to help you make a decision you’re content with. For more information on their services, visit the website, and call (715) 423-5460 to set up an appointment.