Four Types of Burials to Consider for Loved Ones

It has been said that death ends a life, not a relationship. It is the destination we all will share. Society over time has developed ways for loved ones to be remembered once someone dies.

Burials are important for family and loved ones as they provide closure and peace during difficult times. Losing a loved one is a deeply emotional and often overwhelming experience, and burying the deceased can help provide a meaningful way to say goodbye and honor their memory.

Burials offer a physical place for family and loved ones to visit and pay their respects to the deceased. This can provide a sense of comfort and closure, allowing them to process their grief in a healthy way. A burial also allows for a sense of continuity and tradition, providing a lasting connection to family history and heritage.

Moreover, burials allow loved ones to come together to remember and celebrate the deceased's life. This communal gathering can offer support and comfort to those who are grieving and will enable them to share stories and memories of their loved one.

Burials also offer a respectful and dignified way to honor the deceased and provide closure for the family and loved ones. Preparing for a burial can be a meaningful way to show respect and love for the person who has passed away, and the ceremony can offer closure and acceptance.

While your loved ones should be treated with respect once they've passed away, honoring them with a proper funeral is necessary for their friends and family, but not everyone wants the same burial. Here are a few options families looking to bury their loved ones can consider.

Here are four different types of burials to consider for your loved ones.

Traditional In-Ground Burial

When a loved one passes away, saying goodbye through a traditional burial can be a comforting way to honor their memory. The most common approach to burials involves interring the deceased's body in a casket before lowering it into the ground, which is then covered with soil and marked with a gravestone.

Traditional in-ground burials hold significant religious and cultural significance for families, allowing them to grieve and pay respects according to their customs. 

However, it is important to acknowledge the environmental impact of conventional burials. Burying bodies that have been embalmed with harsh chemicals into the ground at cemeteries that take up large areas of land is not a sustainable approach.

Above-Ground Burial

Similar to a traditional in-ground burial, above-ground burials keep the body in a mausoleum or building within the cemetery. Elevating the bodies out of the ground is much cleaner and protects them from flooding during wet weather. Facilities must be appropriately constructed and maintained to avoid degradation of the bodies over time.

Unfortunately, above-ground ceremonies can be expensive. The burial site, casket, and even the ceremony cost money, making it harder for some families to choose this route.

Cremation

Cremation ceremonies differ slightly from traditional burials in that the body is turned to ash before the ceremony. This approach allows families to choose a more private burial in a location that has meaning to the deceased. It also saves space since a plot of land doesn't have to be set aside for them.

If you're considering cremation for your loved ones, it can be helpful to learn about how it's different than traditional burials before you make a final decision. While both options can be done directly after your loved one's passing, some significant differences exist. Reviewing a guide to planning a cremation ceremony will give you a place to start as you consider this option.

Natural Burial

In recent years, people have begun taking an environmentally friendly approach to burials by skipping the embalming, ceremony, and cemetery altogether. Instead, they're turning to natural burial sites that place bodies directly in the ground for decomposition.

Natural burials, also known as green burials, are a more environmentally friendly option for burying the deceased. The goal of a natural burial is to minimize the impact on the environment by allowing the body to decompose naturally without the use of embalming chemicals and by using biodegradable materials for the casket or shroud.

The body is typically placed directly into the ground in a natural burial, without a traditional casket. The grave is often dug by hand to minimize the use of heavy machinery, and the site may be marked with a natural stone or marker. 

The use of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals is avoided in the cemetery's upkeep, and the area is often maintained as a natural landscape.

The natural burial process allows the body to return to the earth naturally, without the preservation and chemical intervention used in traditional burials. This process can take longer for the body to fully decompose, but it is a more sustainable option for environmentally conscious people.

Natural burials can also offer a more personal and meaningful way to say goodbye, as family members and loved ones can participate in the burial process, such as placing flowers or personal items on the grave. It provides an opportunity for a more intimate and personalized approach to mourning and honoring the memory of the deceased.

Overall, natural burials provide a more sustainable and personal alternative to traditional burials that aligns with environmentally conscious values and practices. They offer a way for communities to protect their natural environments while lowering the cost of burials for families. Since they remove some of the more expensive steps in the process, natural burials are more accessible to families and still give them a place to visit their loved ones. While somewhat more expensive than cremation, natural burials are an excellent option for some.

Religious Traditions

Religious traditions often play a significant role in how burials are carried out. Different religions have their own customs and beliefs regarding the treatment of the deceased and how they should be buried or memorialized.

In Christianity, for example, the funeral service typically involves a wake or visitation, followed by a religious service, and then the burial or interment of the body. 

Cremation is allowed in some Christian denominations but not in others. In Judaism, burial is the preferred disposal method, usually done within 24 hours of death. Cremation is not allowed in the Jewish faith.

In Islam, the deceased must be buried as soon as possible after death, preferably within 24 hours. The body is washed and wrapped in a simple cloth shroud. The burial is typically performed with the deceased's head facing Mecca. 

In Hinduism, cremation is the most common method of disposing of the body. It is believed to release the soul from the body and allow it to continue on its journey.

It's important to note that even within a single religion, there can be variations in burial practices based on cultural or regional differences. For example, within Christianity, Catholic and Orthodox churches have specific customs and rituals that differ from those of Protestant churches.

Burials are often seen as a way to honor the deceased and comfort the living. Religious traditions offer a framework for approaching death and mourning, providing a sense of community and support during a difficult time.

Find Something That Suits You

There are many different types of burials for your loved ones, each with unique value. Families need something accessible to them that reflects their specific traditions and beliefs.

Finding something that suits your loved one can be difficult, but it's not something you should put off.