Some people leave clear wishes. Many do not, and the family has to decide. Neither burial nor cremation is better; each can be part of a religious, non-religious or very simple goodbye.
Questions to talk through
- Did your person ever say what they wanted, or write it down?
- Does your faith or family tradition have a custom you want to follow?
- Would you like a place to visit, such as a grave or a memorial stone? Ashes can also be buried or placed in a memorial garden.
- Do you want a service with your person present, or a memorial gathering later?
- What fits your budget? Ask for an itemised price list so you can compare like with like.
You can combine choices
A funeral service can be followed by burial or by cremation. A direct cremation can be followed weeks later by a memorial gathering. Ashes can be kept, scattered where the law allows, or buried. A funeral director can explain the options and the costs without pressing you to choose more than you need.