Burial vs. Cremation — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 15, 2024
Burial involves interring the body in the ground, emphasizing tradition and permanence, while cremation entails burning the body to ashes, highlighting flexibility and memorial options.
Difference Between Burial and Cremation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Burial involves placing the deceased in a casket and interring it in the ground or a tomb, emphasizing tradition and permanence. Cremation, on the other hand, burns the body to ashes, offering a more flexible approach for final disposition.
In burial, the body is preserved in its physical form, allowing for a tangible place for loved ones to visit. Cremation converts the body into ashes, which can be kept, scattered, or interred, providing diverse memorial options.
Burial often involves higher costs due to the casket, plot, and headstone expenses. Cremation tends to be more cost-effective, avoiding some of these additional costs while still offering various memorialization choices.
Burial practices are often influenced by religious and cultural beliefs that emphasize the sanctity of the body. Cremation is increasingly accepted in many cultures and religions, offering a modern alternative to traditional burial.
Environmental impact differs between the two, with burial using land and potentially involving chemicals, while cremation consumes significant energy but leaves a smaller physical footprint.
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Comparison Chart
Physical Form
Interment of the body in a casket
Conversion of the body to ashes
Memorial Options
Gravesites, headstones
Ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred
Cost
Generally higher due to casket, plot, headstone
Often more cost-effective with fewer associated expenses
Religious Beliefs
Emphasizes body sanctity in many traditions
Increasingly accepted in various cultures/religions
Environmental Impact
Uses land and involves chemicals
High energy use but smaller physical footprint
Compare with Definitions
Burial
An interment ceremony often accompanied by rituals.
The burial was attended by close friends and family.
Cremation
The process of burning a body to ashes.
They opted for cremation as per his wishes.
Burial
The act of placing a deceased person in a grave.
The family chose a traditional burial for their grandmother.
Cremation
A practice with lower costs compared to burial.
Cremation was chosen for its simplicity and affordability.
Burial
The specific location where someone is buried.
They visited the burial site on her anniversary.
Cremation
The act of reducing a body to cremains through heat.
The cremation took place in the local crematorium.
Burial
Preservation of the body in a coffin or casket.
The burial involved an elaborate wooden coffin.
Cremation
An alternative to traditional burial.
Cremation has become more popular in recent years.
Burial
A process respecting religious or cultural practices.
The burial followed all the rituals of their faith.
Cremation
The method allowing ashes to be scattered or kept.
After cremation, the family scattered the ashes at sea.
Burial
Burial, also known as interment or inhumation, is a method of final disposition whereby a dead body is placed into the ground, sometimes with objects. This is usually accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing the deceased and objects in it, and covering it over.
Cremation
Cremation is a method of final disposition of a dead body through burning.Cremation may serve as a funeral or post-funeral rite and as an alternative to burial. In some countries, including India and Nepal, cremation on an open-air pyre is an ancient tradition.
Burial
The action or practice of burying a dead body
His remains were shipped home for burial
Cremation
To incinerate (a corpse).
Burial
The act or process of burying.
Cremation
A burning; especially the act or practice of cremating the dead, burning a corpse.
Cremation removes a significant amount of "closure" from the process of death.
Burial
The act of burying; interment
His whole family was present at his burial.
His burial rights.
The mourners listened as the priest performed the burial service of long-time parishioner Wendy Stuart.
Cremation
A burning; esp., the act or practice of cremating the dead.
Without cremation . . . of their bodies.
Burial
A grave; a tomb; a place of sepulture.
The erthe schook, and stoones weren cloven, and biriels weren opened.
Cremation
The incineration of a dead body
Burial
The act of burying; depositing a dead body in the earth, in a tomb or vault, or in the water, usually with attendant ceremonies; sepulture; interment.
Now to glorious burial slowly borne.
Burial
The ritual placing of a corpse in a grave
Burial
Concealing something under the ground
Common Curiosities
Which is more traditional, burial or cremation?
Burial is generally considered more traditional.
Is cremation cheaper than burial?
Yes, cremation is typically more cost-effective than burial.
Do burials have environmental impacts?
Yes, burials use land and may involve embalming chemicals.
What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of burning a deceased body to ashes.
What happens to ashes after cremation?
Ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred.
Can burial sites be visited?
Yes, gravesites provide a tangible place for visitation.
Can cremation be part of religious practices?
Yes, many religions now accept cremation.
Is a memorial service possible with cremation?
Yes, memorial services can be held with or without the body.
What is burial?
Burial is the act of placing a deceased body in a grave, often involving a casket.
What are cremains?
Cremains are the remains of a body after cremation.
Can both burial and cremation involve a service?
Yes, both can include funeral or memorial services.
Does burial require a casket?
Yes, traditional burials usually require a casket.
Does cremation take place in a special facility?
Yes, cremation occurs in a crematorium.
Can cremation be more flexible in memorialization?
Yes, cremation offers various options for memorializing the deceased.
Is burial more common in certain cultures?
Yes, some cultures and religions prefer burial.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
