Whether it's because you have recently lost a loved one or you are looking into options for when you pass away, you may be looking into different burial options. While burial has typically been the traditional route for most people, more people are starting to choose cremation. It is projected that 80% of people will opt for cremation over burial by 2040. However, these aren't your only two options. Here are some of your different burial options.
Traditional Burial
Traditional burial likely comes to mind when you think about burial. It is where you put the deceased in a coffin or casket and lower it into the ground. A headstone or marker will signify the person's name, birth date, death date, and anything else the family wants to include. The grave will likely be in a cemetery, sometimes next to other family members who have passed away.
Cremation
Cremation is when the body is burned, and the ashes are given to the family. What the family does with the ashes can vary. Some people choose to keep the ashes in an urn in their home, while others may scatter the ashes at the deceased's favorite location or simply at a peaceful place. Sometimes, people choose to use some of the ashes to create a piece of jewelry or add to the ink of a tattoo.
Natural and Green Burial
Those more conscious of protecting the Earth or more natural-minded in general may opt for a natural or green burial. A natural burial includes using a biodegradable casket, and embalming is usually skipped. These things help reduce the impact the grave has on the environment. A green burial is similar in that the body is typically not placed in a traditional casket or a vault, and chemicals are rarely used in embalming the body. A natural item like a tree may be used as a grave marker.
Donating to Science
Someone who found an interest in medical research, had a rare disease, or wanted to serve a purpose after their death may be interested in donating their body to science. This can be useful for training new doctors and medical students or furthering essential research. This research can be on a wide range of subjects, from how to cure a disease to how playing a certain sport may affect the brain. When a person has requested that their body be donated to science, the next of kin will likely have instructions on what to do when the loved one dies.
Entombment
Contrary to a burial, an entombment involves burying the body above ground. The deceased will typically be embalmed and placed into a marble or granite crypt, usually in a cemetery. The tomb will then be sealed. Some vaults can hold multiple people. In the past, an entombment was often performed as the preferred form of burial for Christians and Catholics. However, today it is not nearly as standard as it can be expensive and finding a place for the crypt can be difficult.
Space Burial
While it may sound like something out of a movie, this option isn't quite what it sounds like. A space burial involves launching a person's cremated remains into space, where they will orbit the Earth several times and then be returned to Earth. The ashes are not released into space, as this would create space debris, which can cause damage to things such as telescopes and satellites.
As you can see, there are multiple options on what can be done with your remains after you pass or what you can choose for a loved one if they did not specify what they wanted. These different options can have very different price points, so consider that when making your decision.
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