What You Need to Know When Choosing Burial

For thousands of years, burial has been a traditional means of caring for the physical remains of a loved one. Historical precedence is one thing, but for you, burial may simply be the tradition of your family. When burial is chosen, your loved one may be:

  • Interred in the ground in a regulated cemetery, or if local legislation allows, on private property
  • Entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum
  • Buried at sea

It’s a Deeply Personal Decision

Even if it isn’t what your family has commonly done over the years, there are many personal reasons you may have to choose burial over cremation. These could include:

  • Religious or geographical preferences
  • An aversion to the cremation practice of using flame to reduce the remains to ash
  • You wish to erect a monument in honor of your loved one
  • You wish to have a natural location where you can visit, graced with trees and open spaces

Decisions and Costs

If you think that burial is the right choice for your family, there are some important decisions you must make. For example:

  • Do you wish the body to be embalmed?
  • What kind of casket and vault would you prefer?
  • Which cemetery would you select, and do they have space available?
  • What type of monument, headstone or marker would you like?
  • What words would you like to put on the headstone, marker, or monument?

Remember that each of these decisions involve related costs which may impact your final decision. These include:

  • Selection of the casket and an outer burial container or protective vault required by the cemetery
  • The purchase of a plot within the cemetery, if your family doesn’t already have the rights to one.
  • The headstone or marker, and any restrictions or placement fees charged by the cemetery.

You should also know that each cemetery is governed by their own board of directors therefore prices and guidelines differ from one cemetery to the next.

We know this is a lot to absorb – that’s why we make ourselves available to you and your family night or day. It is our responsibility to guide you in caring for your loved one. Call us with any questions you may have.