Deciding between cremation and burial is a personal choice that can be influenced by many factors, including cultural, religious beliefs, financial considerations, and personal preferences. In Lakewood, OH, where options for both are readily available, understanding these factors can help you make a decision that respects the wishes of the deceased and meets the needs of the family. Here, we explore some key considerations to keep in mind when choosing between cremation services Lakewood, OH and burial. 

Understanding the Differences 

Before deciding, it’s important to understand what each process entails. Cremation involves reducing the body to bone fragments through high heat and flame, which are then processed into finer particles and given to the family to keep, scatter, or inter in a permanent resting place. Burial typically involves embalming, viewing, and the burial of the body in a casket in a cemetery plot or mausoleum. 

Cultural and Religious Beliefs 

For many families, cultural and religious beliefs play a pivotal role in deciding between cremation service and burial. Certain religions have specific guidelines or prohibitions regarding these methods. Funeral homes are experienced in accommodating the diverse cultural and religious customs of their community, ensuring that services respect these traditions. 

Cost Considerations 

Cost is often a significant factor when choosing between cremation and burial. Generally, cremation is considered to be less expensive than traditional burial due to the absence of certain costs like a casket, burial plot, headstone, and embalming. However, many do not realize that cremations can also include expenses such as urns, memorial services, and placement in a columbarium. Many families should consult with local funeral providers to get detailed pricing to better understand the costs associated with each option. 

Environmental Impact 

Environmental concerns are increasingly guiding decisions between cremation and burial. Traditional burial often involves chemicals from embalming, as well as the use of land and resources for caskets and burial plots. Cremation, while using significant energy to burn the body, leaves a smaller physical footprint. For those concerned about the environment, green burial options are also available, which use biodegradable caskets and avoid embalming fluids. 

Personal Preferences 

Many people have personal preferences about what should happen to their bodies after death, which can greatly influence the decision between cremation and burial service. These preferences can be shaped by a desire for a lasting memorial at a burial site, or by the flexibility and portability of cremated remains, which can be kept with family, scattered in a meaningful location, or even turned into memorial objects like jewelry. 

Flexibility and Memorialization 

Cremation often offers more flexibility in terms of memorialization. Families can choose when and where to hold memorial services and can take more time to plan these events without the immediate time constraints of burial. In Lakewood, OH, cremation services offer various options for memorials, including the storage of ashes in columbariums, scattering in designated areas, or keeping ashes in decorative urns at home. 

Long-term Considerations 

Thinking about the long-term implications of both cremation and burial can help in making a decision. Consider how future generations will want to honor and remember the deceased. A burial site provides a specific location for descendants to visit and reflect, while cremated remains can be kept within a family home or dispersed in a meaningful setting. 

Choosing between c cremation services Lakewood, OH and burial involves multiple factors that reflect personal, financial, and environmental considerations. By understanding these factors and discussing them with a knowledgeable funeral director, families can make a choice that brings peace and honor to the lives of their loved ones. 



If you are facing this decision and need guidance, our compassionate team is here to provide you with the support and information you need to make the best choice for your family and loved one.