Burial vs. Cremation: Making the Right Choice for Your Loved One

Choosing how to say goodbye to a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional decision. For families in New Zealand, the choice between burial and cremation is influenced by various factors including cost, cultural traditions, environmental concerns, and personal preferences. Let’s explore the pros and cons of each option to help you make the best decision for your family.

The Pros and Cons of Burial

Pros:

1. Tradition and Cultural Significance: Burial is a traditional method for many cultures and religions. For example, Māori customs and certain Christian denominations often prefer burial, as it aligns with their spiritual beliefs and practices.

2. Physical Place for Mourning: A burial provides a specific location where family and friends can visit, pay their respects, and feel a sense of closeness to the departed. This can be particularly comforting for many people.

3. Permanence: Burial provides a permanent resting place, which can be passed down through generations as a family legacy.

Cons:

1. Cost: Burial can be significantly more expensive than cremation. Costs can include the purchase of a burial plot, a coffin, a headstone, and maintenance fees for the gravesite.

2. Environmental Impact: Traditional burials can have a considerable environmental impact due to the use of embalming chemicals, non-biodegradable coffins, and the space required for graves.

3. Maintenance: Gravesites require ongoing maintenance, which can be an added responsibility and expense for families.

The Pros and Cons of Cremation

Pros:

1. Cost-Effective: Cremation is generally less expensive than burial. It eliminates the need for a burial plot, coffin, and headstone, making it a more affordable option for many families. Additionally, using a backboard and shroud instead of a traditional coffin for cremation can further reduce costs.

2. Flexibility: Cremation offers more flexibility in terms of memorial services. Ashes can be kept in an urn, scattered in a meaningful location, or even turned into keepsakes like jewellery or artwork.

3. Lower Environmental Impact: While cremation does produce some emissions, it typically has a lower overall environmental impact compared to traditional burials. There is also usually no need for embalming chemicals or a physical gravesite.

4. Land Availability: One of the growing trends towards cremation in New Zealand is the increasing scarcity of available land for new burial plots. As urban areas expand and land becomes more valuable, finding suitable and affordable burial sites can be challenging. Cremation alleviates this issue by requiring much less space.

Cons:

1. Less Tangible: Some people may find cremation less comforting because there is no physical grave to visit. This can make it harder for some to find closure.

2. Cultural and Religious Concerns: Certain cultures and religions may have specific beliefs about cremation that could make it a less suitable option. For instance, traditional Māori beliefs generally prefer burial to cremation.

3. Emotional Impact: The process of cremation can feel more final to some people, which may be emotionally challenging during an already difficult time.

Cost Considerations in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the cost of burial can vary widely depending on various factors such as the location and type of services chosen. Cremation, on the other hand, usually costs significantly less. However, exact figures can fluctuate based on personal choices and additional services. Families looking to save money might consider options like cremation with a backboard and shroud, which foregoes the need for a traditional coffin.

Cultural Influences

New Zealand is a culturally diverse country, and customs around death and funerals vary widely. For instance, the Māori tradition values burial as it aligns with their belief in returning the body to Papatūānuku (Mother Earth). Meanwhile, other communities might lean towards cremation for its practicality and lower costs.

Making the Decision

When deciding between burial and cremation, consider what feels right for your family and aligns with your loved one’s wishes. Here are a few questions to guide your decision:

• What were your loved one’s wishes? If they had a preference, it’s essential to honour that.

• What are your cultural or religious considerations? Understanding these can guide your decision.

• What is your budget? Consider the financial impact and what your family can afford.

• How do you want to remember and honour your loved one? Think about how each option allows you to create meaningful memories and provide comfort to family and friends.

In the end, there is no right or wrong choice. Both burial and cremation have their unique advantages and considerations. Take the time to discuss with family members, consult with funeral professionals, and reflect on what feels most appropriate for honouring your loved one’s life and legacy.

For those considering both options, it can be helpful to talk to a local funeral director who can provide detailed information and support during this challenging time.

Whatever you decide, remember that the most important thing is to honour your loved one in a way that brings you peace and comfort.

Carried Away is always available to help you work through the options and guide you in your decision making. All of our products, coffins, caskets and backboards, are sold directly to the public and are freight free to any town in New Zealand.

We look forward to your call on 0508COFFIN, or you can visit our coffin selector to see our range.