Deciding what you want to happen to your body after you are gone can be stressful. Your two main options are cremation and burial, with many people choosing cremation simply because it is cheaper. However, you should understand that there are other advantages to cremation, too. It is not just a cheap way out. Here's a look at a few of those lesser-known benefits of choosing cremation over burial.
1. Your remains can rest wherever you please.
If you choose to be buried, then your remains can only rest in a cemetery. This may not be somewhere you feel particularly connected with. Cemeteries can feel a bit commercial and ordinary to some people. On the other hand, if you are cremated, then your remains can be stored wherever you and your family wish. They can be displayed on your favorite mantel, taken to a mountain top that you loved, or even buried on the family property. This can feel a lot more comforting than knowing your body will be resting in a cemetery with thousands of others.
2. There won't be pressure to have a viewing.
If you have your body embalmed and buried, then family members may feel pressured to hold an open-casket viewing prior to the burial. Some people like this type of ceremony in order to grieve and others find it unappealing. If you are cremated, there will be less pressure to have such a ceremony. Your loved ones can simply place your urn at the head of the room when they have the wake and funeral, which many find to be more comfortable.
3. It's healthier for the planet.
If you are someone who has made sustainable choices and attempted to help preserve the planet your whole life, then it makes sense that you would want to do the same after death. While cremation does release some pollution, it is, in many ways, the more sustainable choice. You are not introducing embalming fluids to the soil, and you're not burying layers of wood, shellac, and plastic beneath the ground to decompose slowly. There are companies that specifically employ green cremation services if this is important to you.
Cremation is becoming more and more popular as the years go on, and this is not just because of cost. People are also realizing that it's better for the planet and provides more flexibility for your final resting place.