Burial vs Cremation
Burial vs Cremation
Whilst many people don’t like to think about their own death before it happens, it can be a very important thing to do, and it can help to make a huge difference to those who deal with our affairs after we pass. For those who have taken the time to consider what they want after death, they often have strong ideas on what they want done with their remains. While burial has traditionally been the a preferred option, cremation has steadily gained popularity over the past few decades. In fact, around 70% of people who pass away each year in New Zealand are now choosing to be cremated*
Neither option is ‘better’ as there are many personal factors involved, and this decision will strongly depend on what works best for you and your loved ones. For many of us, the decision will be impacted by costs, beliefs, or considerations about what previous family members have chosen. For example, there may be a family plot or a specific burial spot allocated to ensure loved ones are together when laid to rest.
The Cost of Burial vs The Cost of Cremation
Burial is commonly seen as being the more expensive of the two options, and this is generally the case, but optional extras make all the difference. By opting for additional cremation add-ons (e.g. using a council owned crematorium vs a private one, expensive urns or keepsake jewellery), cremation expenses could exceed those of the average burial.
Burial Expenses
The typical burial comes with a number of fees covering transport and handling of the body, coffin/casket, headstone, funeral car hire, burial plot, cemetery fees, flowers etc. In New Zealand, these can total around $10,000 on average. However costs will vary depending on the type of coffin or casket selected, quality of headstone, funeral procession and so on. The overall cost can range from around NZD 2,500 to over $15,000 for a larger affair.
Cremation Expenses
The decision to cremate eliminates many of the costs associated with burial. Mainly, because the departed won’t be requiring any land. It’s not necessarily cheap though. The expenses include the cremation fee, the body handling, urn, and flowers etc.
The average cost of a standard cremation in New Zealand is just over $5,000, ranging from a basic service at around NZD 3,000 to a premium cremation approx. 7,000 NZD. These costs are based on figures quoted by privately-owned crematoriums. If you were to go with a council-owned crematorium, a basic cremation will cost between $525 and $900.
Environmental Impacts
Whilst the decision to bury or to cremate is a very personal one, it is also interesting to consider the environmental impacts, which may play into which option someone might choose.
Burial can have a major impact on the environment when we factor in the long term effects. It’s important to consider the embalming fluids used (and any other chemicals that leach into the soil), the production of a casket, and also ongoing cemetery maintenance. However cemeteries are often beautiful green spaces that allow for plants and flowers to thrive so it can go both ways.
Cremation can impact the environment in terms of carbon emissions and mercury vapours. It’s a relatively minor contributor compared with other sources such as cars and industrial chimneys, however something to think about.
Many crematoriums and funeral homes now offer eco-friendly options such as zero-waste biodegradable caskets and coffins, and there is definitly a rise in low cost, more environmentally friendly options. The funeral industry, like many other industries, has become more environmentally conscious in recent years. There really is more and more choice coming our way.
Religious Perspectives
Again, personal beliefs come into peoples choices about how to be laid to rest. Interpretations into scriptures and/or the church’s position may influence this choice. Some religions approve of cremation, whilst others find the concept disrespectful, whilst others believe that cremation can speed up the reincarnation process.
Are There Alternatives to Burial and Cremation?
As ecologically-sound alternatives to burial and cremation become increasingly necessary, new methods for dealing with the remains of the deceased are being developed.
Two proposed alternatives are promession and alkaline hydrolysis.
Promession
The body is freeze-dried with liquid nitrogen and then vibrated to the point where it disintegrates into powder form. This method is still very new, and only a handful of countries are doing it including Sweden and Scotland.
Alkaline Hydrolysis (Water Cremation)
This process uses potassium hydroxide and heat to dissolve a body in water. The remains of this process are similar to the ashes after a cremation. Hence, this practice is often referred to as Water Cremation. Although not yet legal in New Zealand, it is practiced in some parts of Australia, Canada and the US.
Composting
Another new alternative to both burial and cremation is composting. A process in which the body is returned to the ground under very specific conditions to transition into compost. At the end of this process, families will be presented with soil that can be used to plant trees or flowers in, or to scatter if desired. This process is very natural and organic, and any additional items (medical implant or prosthetics will be filtered out as the body decomposes.
And so, we can see there are many options and ideas around how we can be laid to rest. It’s a great conversation to have with loved ones before the time comes to know their views and wishes, and to understand that it’s a very personal choice.
If you wish to chat further, or feel you need some extra support, feel free to reach out ❤️