Cremation vs Burial: Making the Right Choice for You

Choosing between a cremation or a burial is a fundamental part of making end-of-life plans. While some people know exactly what they want, others may need more time or information to decide. Sometimes, the decision can feel harder because of long-held cremation myths—misunderstandings about the process, the meaning, or how it fits with religious and cultural beliefs.

Cremation involves reducing the body to ashes through heat, offering flexibility in memorial timing and usually being the more affordable option. Burial means interment (being placed) in the ground, normally in a coffin, and is sometimes chosen for cultural or religious reasons, providing a permanent place of remembrance.

In this article, we’ll look at both options in more detail, from traditions and costs to environmental considerations. Whether you are pre-planning your own arrangements or deciding for someone close to you, our aim is to help you choose what feels right.

Key takeaways:

• Cremation is generally less expensive than burial.
• Both cremation and burial can include a funeral service, but what happens afterwards can differ significantly between the two.
• Religious views on cremation versus burial vary, with some faiths favouring one over the other.
• Both options have environmental impacts, with cremation producing carbon emissions and traditional burial potentially harming soil and water quality.
• Direct cremation offers a simple, less costly alternative to traditional cremation services.

Choosing between cremation and burial

When a loved one dies, deciding between cremation and burial can feel like an extra weight to carry. For some families the choice is already clear, shaped by faith, culture, or personal wishes such as taking care of their funeral ahead of time with a prepaid funeral plan. For others it may take time, and a little guidance, to work out what feels right. Both options come with their own practical and emotional considerations, and understanding these can make the decision feel a little easier.

Cremation: pros and cons

Pros

• Often more affordable: Cremation usually costs less than burial, particularly with direct cremation.

• Flexible: Families can take their time to arrange a memorial or celebration of life and choose what to do with the ashes, whether keeping them, scattering them, or doing something more personal.

• No burial plot needed: Cremation avoids the challenge of finding or paying for a grave, which can be important in areas with limited burial space.

• Modern standards: Today’s crematoriums work under strict regulations to keep their environmental impact as low as possible.

Cons

• Unsuitable to some faiths or traditions: Some faiths and cultures favour burial, so cremation may not always feel appropriate.

• Preference for permanence: Families who value a lasting place of remembrance may prefer a grave, headstone, or somewhere permanent to visit.

• Decisions about ashes: Deciding what to do with ashes can sometimes feel difficult or overwhelming for families.

Burial: pros and cons

Pros

• Familiar and traditional: Burial remains a meaningful choice for many, offering continuity with family and cultural traditions.

• Permanent place to visit: A grave or memorial offers somewhere tangible to return to, which some families find comforting.

• Religious significance: Many faiths view burial as the most fitting and respectful way to lay someone to rest.

Cons

• Higher costs: Burial is generally more expensive once cemetery fees, the plot, headstone, and service arrangements are included.

• Less flexible: Burial usually takes place within a set timeframe, which can limit when the service happens.

• Land and cost: Burial requires a plot, which may be hard to find or costly in certain parts of the country.

Making the choice

There is no right or wrong decision between cremation and burial, only the one that feels most meaningful for you, your family, and the person who has died. For some, that choice is guided by tradition or faith. For others, it may come down to cost, practicality, or the chance to do something more personal.

At Aura, we understand how heavy these decisions can feel. Our role is to give you clear, simple information and support, so that whatever you decide, you can feel confident it’s the right choice and that everything will be taken care of.

Practical considerations: paperwork and long-term commitments

When comparing cremation and burial, there are also a few practical points worth keeping in mind.

Paperwork and permissions

• Both cremation and burial require the death to be formally registered and a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death issued by a doctor.

• For cremation, additional paperwork is needed from the crematorium before the cremation process can go ahead.

• If you plan to scatter ashes, it’s important to get permission from the landowner, whether that’s a local authority, private landowner, or organisation.

• Burial usually involves purchasing a plot and following cemetery regulations about headstones, markers, and future burials in the same grave.

Long-term commitments

• A burial plot provides a permanent resting place, but it can also mean ongoing upkeep, with families often responsible for maintaining the grave or headstone over time.

• Cremation avoids this commitment. Families can keep ashes at home, scatter them in a meaningful place, or inter them in a cemetery or memorial garden if a permanent site is preferred.

These factors may feel less emotional than cost or tradition, but they can make a real difference to families in the years ahead.

What is the cost of cremation vs burial?

Information in The Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2025 suggests a price difference of roughly £1,218 between burial and cremation, with cremation being the less expensive option on average. However, prices can vary significantly based on location, the services chosen, and the funeral director involved.

Since cost is often an important factor for families choosing between cremation and burial, we will look at these expenses more closely.

Average funeral costs

There are common expenses shared between burial and cremation that are typically a part of every funeral. There are a few different factors involved in how much a funeral costs. However, generally people will need to pay for the funeral service, collection of the person who has died, and possibly a wake, celebration of life, or memorial service.

Costs associated with burial include the plot, cemetery fees, a headstone, a coffin, and sometimes, embalming. According to SunLife’s Cost of Dying Report 2025, the national average cost of a basic funeral with a service is £5,198 — though this figure does not include lower-cost options such as direct cremation. By comparison, Aura’s direct cremation service costs less than half of that, offering families a dignified alternative without the extras.

Average cremation costs

The national average of a cremation is around £3,980 as reported by the Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2025. This typically includes cremation fees which are less expensive than those associated with a burial. 

However, there are different cremation types to consider, and the final price of a cremation can increase above this average depending on choices related to the funeral service. These can include the venue, and what is done with the ashes afterwards, such as internment of ashes or an ash scattering ceremony.

The process following a funeral

The funeral process for both traditional cremation and burial typically begin with a similar service. This can take place inside a religious building like a church, a special hall at a crematorium or a venue of your choice. The service can be led by a celebrant, officiant or family member and may include readings, eulogies and music. 

The way the body is laid to rest after the service is where the main differences between cremation and burial appear.

The traditional burial process

Following a funeral service, the traditional burial process begins with the procession to the cemetery or burial site. Pallbearers, sometimes close family or friends, will carry the coffin to its final resting place. 

As the coffin is gently lowered into the ground, some people may say a few words, scatter soil on top or lay flowers to say goodbye. A wake is commonly held afterwards to honour the person who has died. The burial plot will then be filled and marked with a headstone to honour the person resting there.

Burial is favoured by some for its tradition, religious connections ,and the lasting memorial it provides, where loved ones can visit and potentially be laid to rest together.

The modern cremation process

While the modern cremation process may feel unfamiliar, understanding the history of cremation helps place today’s practices in context. What happens at a cremation is somewhat mysterious to many. It begins with the committal, where the coffin is concealed by a curtain or lowered from view, marking the start of the cremation process. Alternatively, the coffin might be removed after guests leave, allowing the family a private farewell. A wake, memorial or gathering then may follow after the service, if chosen by the person who has died and their family.

Before cremation begins, the person is gently cared – this is how the body is prepared for cremation. It usually involves washing, dressing (if the family has chosen clothes), and removing items like pacemakers for safety. Then, the body and coffin are transferred to a cremator. Under the very high heat inside a specially designed furnace, the person who has died and their coffin are burned within a few hours, leaving ashes behind. These ashes are processed and returned to the family in an urn, box, or scatter tube.

Cremation is sometimes chosen for its flexibility. You can scatter the ashes of your loved one in a special place or they can be kept with you. More creative ashes ideas include being turned into fireworks, jewellery and even putting cremation ashes in a tattoo.

Traditional burial vs cremation in religion

Religious beliefs differ on the appropriate way to care for the body after death. Hinduism and Sikhism generally prefer cremation, with a focus on the soul rather than the physical body at the time of the funeral. In contrast, Islam and Orthodox Judaism mandate burial, emphasising the sanctity and wholeness of the body.

Christian views on cremation have evolved. Historically, many denominations required burial, associating it with beliefs in bodily resurrection. However, since 1963, the Catholic Church has permitted cremation, provided the ashes are kept intact rather than scattered.

If your beliefs do impact your funeral choice, talking to a religious leader can give you more knowledge and bring you more comfort in your decision.

Planning a burial or a cremation for a loved one

The question of burial versus cremation often comes up when making your own funeral arrangement checklist or finding a prepaid funeral plan, but it’s also a key part of planning the funeral of a loved one. Check whether they had pre-arranged plans, an advance care plan, or stated their wishes in their will — though wills are often only read after the funeral has taken place. Once you know their funeral wishes you can get in contact with a funeral director to begin the process.

For burial, this involves selecting a cemetery, choosing a plot, and deciding on the type of coffin. Additionally, you may want to personalise the grave marker with a particular statue or gravestone with pictures and text.

For cremation, consider how the ashes will be handled. Some crematoriums may require the use of their containers, while others might allow you to use a personal urn for the ashes.

If you’re unsure what your loved one would have wanted, consult with family members or close friends to find arrangements that reflect the values and desires of the person who has died.

Adding a memorial to a burial or cremation

Losing a loved one can be extremely difficult, but finding ways to remember and honour them can bring a small amount of peace during a hard time. Both burial and cremation allow for various memorial options:

• A burial provides a permanent place to commemorate a loved one’s life.
• Memorial alternatives could include installing a bench in their favourite park, planting a tree to grow in their memory or adding a plaque in a meaningful location. 
• Services like wakes or end-of-life celebrations provide opportunities for friends and family to gather, share memories, and support each other through grief.
• Donating to charity in their name can also be a thoughtful way to honour those who have died.

No matter which option is best for your family, remembering a loved one with a memorial serves as a way to keep cherished memories alive and bring people together.

Environmental impact of cremation vs burial

When it comes to being buried or cremated, both options come with environmental considerations. Cremation requires a lot of energy: about 285 kiloWatt hours of gas and 15kWh of electricity on average according to The Guardian. On top of that, the process also emits some amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which can impact air quality. It is important to note that crematoriums are mandated to follow environmentally friendly practices.

A traditional burial is also not free from environmental dilemmas. Embalming, a practice typically involved in burial, involves chemicals like formaldehyde, which can harm soil and water quality. Even if embalming is not used, chemicals on the coffins like veneer and glue can leak harmful substances into the ground. Furthermore, cemeteries use vast amounts of land which can disrupt local ecosystems and biodiversity. 

If you are seeking a greener farewell, natural burials are an alternative option. This method forgoes toxic embalming fluids and uses biodegradable coffins or shrouds to reduce the environmental impact.

Aura’s cremation services

If you’re still unsure whether burial or cremation is the right choice, direct cremation offers a simple and dignified alternative. Unlike traditional funerals, which often involve a service, pallbearers and hearses, direct cremation focuses on simplicity, with no formal ceremony, reducing both cost and complexity.

At Aura, our experienced and compassionate funeral arrangers, the Aura Angels, are here to support you through every step of the process. We provide prepaid direct cremation plans, allowing you to plan ahead and ease the pressure on your family. With our trusted services, you can ensure everything is taken care of with clarity and care. If you’d like to learn more, our team is always happy to help…please don’t hesitate to contact us.