One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make when funeral planning is deciding whether you prefer cremation or burial services. Although both options are perfectly fine, it helps to know that cremation offers several benefits that could influence your decision. Taking a look at the three biggest reasons to consider cremation services helps you determine if this is the right choice for you or your loved one.
1- Reduce Burial Costs For Your Family
Many people fear being a burden to their families after they pass away. Life insurance can help with cremation and burial costs, but it’s still sometimes important to choose the least expensive option. Cremation allows you to potentially opt out of add-on services that might be required for a burial such as embalming. Although you can choose to do an open casket viewing ceremony before the cremation, you may prefer to opt out of this choice. If this is the case, then you can choose cremation to avoid fees for dressing and cosmetic services. Since cremation doesn’t require a casket, you can also choose an affordable urn for holding your loved one’s ashes.
2- Simplify Long-Distance Funeral Planning
Transporting the deceased’s body across state lines can be difficult and expensive at best. When you begin trying to repatriate someone’s remains intentionally things become even more complicated. With cremation, the process of transferring remains becomes easier. You can also work with cremation planners who can ensure that you or your loved one has a plan already set in place before the end of life occurs. In cases where there is an unexpected death while you or someone else is traveling, then already having a plan in place will help to make the process of repatriating more stress-free at a time when you may have limited resources.
3- Honor Your Eco-Conscious Lifestyle
Traditional burials take up limited resources such as space in the ground that can eventually run out. You’ll also need to purchase a traditional casket for the burial that meets specific regulations. Embalming also uses chemicals that can eventually leech into the ground. Cremation, however, doesn’t require using the same amount of resources. Fire-based cremation is the most common type that people request, and it uses flames to transform the body into ashes. For those who prefer an even more eco-friendly option, water-based cremation is also available. Using water for the cremation process uses only a small fraction of the energy that fire-based methods do to make it the most environmentally friendly option you can find.
At the end of someone’s life, cremation offers an eco-friendly and affordable option for handling their remains. Cremation also offers you the ability to still honor your loved one’s life through an ash scattering or memorial ceremony. As you make this decision, keep in mind that there are people who can help. Advance planning professionals specialize in helping people make final life decisions, and finding the answers to all of your questions helps you feel confident about your choice.
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