Cremation vs. Inhumation — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
Cremation involves burning the body to ashes, commonly followed by scattering or storing the ashes; inhumation refers to burying the body intact, typically in a cemetery plot.
Difference Between Cremation and Inhumation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cremation is a process that rapidly accelerates decomposition through burning, turning the body into ashes within hours. On the other hand, inhumation, or burial, involves placing the body in the ground, where it decomposes naturally over time.
In cremation, families may choose to keep the ashes in an urn, scatter them, or place them in a columbarium. Whereas, inhumation typically involves a burial in a cemetery, with the option of marking the grave with a headstone or monument.
The cost of cremation is generally lower than inhumation, mainly due to the elimination of expenses like caskets and burial plots. Conversely, inhumation costs can be significant, including charges for the plot, headstone, and ongoing maintenance.
Cremation offers more flexibility in terms of memorial services and the final disposition of remains. In contrast, inhumation usually follows more traditional and structured procedures regarding the funeral and burial rites.
Environmental concerns also differ; cremation produces carbon emissions and uses considerable energy, while inhumation involves land use and potential contamination from embalming fluids.
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Comparison Chart
Process
Burns the body to ashes
Buries the body intact
Cost
Generally less expensive
More expensive due to plot and headstone
Memorial Options
Ashes can be stored, scattered, or interred
Body is typically buried in a cemetery
Environmental Impact
Carbon emissions, high energy use
Land use, possible chemical contamination
Flexibility
Flexible memorial service options
Traditional and structured burial rites
Compare with Definitions
Cremation
A funeral practice that can include various ceremonial aspects.
The cremation ceremony included a viewing before the body was taken to the crematorium.
Inhumation
A traditional burial practice involving a casket and a gravesite.
The inhumation took place at the local cemetery with family and friends present.
Cremation
A method of final disposition of a body through incineration.
Cremation is increasingly popular as space for cemeteries becomes scarce.
Inhumation
Often involves embalming the body to preserve it until burial.
They arranged for embalming before the inhumation ceremony.
Cremation
An alternative to burial that involves fire.
They opted for cremation because it felt more environmentally responsible.
Inhumation
Typically includes a permanent gravesite marked by a headstone.
The family visited the gravesite annually after the inhumation.
Cremation
Often paired with memorial services that can occur before or after the process.
The memorial service was held a week after the cremation.
Inhumation
Can be part of a religious or secular ceremony.
The inhumation ceremony reflected their strong religious traditions.
Cremation
To incinerate (a corpse).
Inhumation
To place in a grave; bury.
Inhumation
The act of burial.
Inhumation
The act of burying vessels in warm earth in order to expose their contents to a steady moderate heat; the state of being thus exposed.
Inhumation
(medicine) arenation
Inhumation
The act of inhuming or burying; interment.
Inhumation
The act of burying vessels in warm earth in order to expose their contents to a steady moderate heat; the state of being thus exposed.
Inhumation
Arenation.
Inhumation
The ritual placing of a corpse in a grave
Common Curiosities
How does the cost of cremation compare to inhumation?
Cremation is generally less expensive than inhumation due to lower requirements for space and materials.
Can you have a funeral service with cremation?
Yes, funeral services can be held before or after the cremation process.
What is cremation?
Cremation is the process of burning a body to reduce it to ash.
What are the environmental impacts of cremation?
Cremation generates carbon emissions and uses significant energy.
Can ashes from cremation be scattered anywhere?
Regulations on scattering ashes vary, so it's important to check local laws.
What are the environmental impacts of inhumation?
Inhumation uses land and can lead to potential contamination from embalming fluids.
Is cremation faster than inhumation?
Yes, cremation is a much quicker process compared to the slow decomposition in inhumation.
Is a casket needed for cremation?
A casket is not necessary for cremation; a simpler cremation container is often used.
What is inhumation?
Inhumation is the burial of a body intact, typically in a cemetery.
What happens during an inhumation ceremony?
An inhumation ceremony typically involves a graveside service followed by the burial of the casket.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
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.
