When pre-planning their services, people often choose between cremation or a burial. If you’re considering cremation for your loved one, it’s important to understand how it differs from burials and what happens afterward. Consult the guide below to help you make the best decision for you.

How Does It Differ From a Burial?

Cremation burns the remains, resulting in ashes that can be stored in an urn or scattered in a location of your choosing. Burial means placing the deceased’s body into the ground or in a vault.

Each method comes with advantages and should align with the beliefs and culture of the deceased. Cremation is a much quicker process and is also environmentally friendly. It doesn’t introduce contaminants into the ground, such as the casket and embalming fluids, and it lowers the risk of overcrowding in cemeteries.

Cremains can be stored in an urn at home or at a columbarium in a cemetery. Both options allow you to relocate your loved one’s cremains. Alternatively, burials provide a gravesite for the family to visit, but moving to a new location is more difficult.

How Is a Cremated Loved One Honored?

Many people worry that cremation means you cannot have a funeral. This is untrue. You can honor your loved one however you like before or after their body has gone through the process. Some families choose to have a viewing and funeral with the body present prior to cremation. Others opt for a memorial service with either the urn or just photos of the deceased in a location where people can gather to honor them.

You may choose to hold a scattering ceremony to place the cremains in an area that holds special meaning for your loved one, such as a park, the ocean, or the garden in their childhood home. You can also incorporate the cremains into jewelry pendants or divide them among family members.

If you’re interested in cremation for your funeral arrangements, contact Leo M. Bean And Sons Funeral Home. The family-owned funeral home has helped grieving families in Rochester, NY, for more than 40 years. The compassionate team will help plan every detail, including choosing urns, caskets, and final resting places, in addition to deciding between a traditional funeral or memorial service. Call (585) 426-7830 or visit them online to browse their advanced planning offerings.