Burials vs. Cremations: Making the Right Choice for Your Loved One
Death is an inevitable part of life, yet many people hesitate to talk about it. That’s why Dialogues About Death, hosted by Chris Miller of Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory, was created—to provide education, comfort, and answers about the end-of-life process.
In Episode 3, Chris discusses the differences between burial and cremation, embalming procedures, and what happens when a loved one is placed in a funeral home’s care. If you’ve ever wondered about these topics but weren’t sure how to ask, this blog is for you.
What Happens When a Loved One is Placed in a Funeral Home’s Care?
When a family chooses Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory to care for their loved one, the process begins with respect and dignity.
- ✔️ The deceased is placed in a temperature-controlled holding area to ensure proper care while arrangements are made.
- ✔️ The family meets with the funeral team to discuss their wishes for final disposition—either burial or cremation.
- ✔️ The funeral team guides the family through every step, from planning the service to coordinating with cemeteries and paperwork.
💡 Chris’s Advice: “It’s important to know what’s in your heart when making these decisions. Some families choose burial due to tradition, while others prefer cremation for flexibility or cost reasons.”
Burial vs. Cremation: Understanding Your Options
Choosing between burial and cremation is a deeply personal decision. Understanding the differences can help you make the right choice for yourself or your loved one.
Burial: A Traditional Choice
- ✔️ Burial involves placing the body in a casket and interring it in a cemetery.
- ✔️ Families can choose between above-ground entombment (mausoleum) or in-ground burial.
- ✔️ Cemeteries often require a vault or outer burial container to prevent ground collapse.
- ✔️ The family can visit the gravesite, providing a permanent place for remembrance.
💰 Cost Considerations: Burial can be more expensive due to:
- Casket selection
- Cemetery plot purchase
- Grave opening and closing fees
- Headstone or marker
Cremation: A Flexible Option
- ✔️ Cremation reduces the body to ashes (cremated remains) through intense heat.
- ✔️ Families can choose to scatter, inter, or keep the remains in a special urn or keepsake.
- ✔️ Cremation is typically less expensive than burial, especially since it does not require a cemetery plot.
- ✔️ Cremation provides flexibility—families can hold services at a later date or in multiple locations.
💡 Interesting Fact: “More people today are choosing cremation because it provides more flexibility. Families can keep the ashes at home, scatter them in a meaningful location, or even create keepsake jewelry.”
Is Embalming Required?
One of the most common misconceptions about funerals is that embalming is always required—but that’s not true!
📌 Embalming is required ONLY if:
- ✔️ There will be a public, open-casket viewing.
- ✔️ The body is being transported out of state (such as on a plane).
- ✔️ The cemetery or mausoleum requires it for entombment.
📌 Embalming is NOT required if:
- ✔️ The body will be buried in a closed casket without a public viewing.
- ✔️ The person is being cremated without a public viewing.
What Happens During the Embalming Process?
- ✔️ The body’s fluids are replaced with a special preservation solution.
- ✔️ The process delays decomposition, allowing time for a viewing.
- ✔️ It also sanitizes the body, ensuring a safe environment for mourners.
💡 Chris’s Insight: “Embalming is about giving families the option for a viewing so they can say their goodbyes in a dignified and peaceful way.”
Burial Process: What to Expect
When a family chooses burial, the following steps take place:
- ✔️ The body is prepared (with or without embalming).
- ✔️ The family selects clothing—some include special outfits, jewelry, or personal items.
- ✔️ The funeral service is held, either at a church, funeral home, or gravesite.
- ✔️ The casket is transported to the cemetery, where the burial takes place.
- ✔️ A headstone or marker is placed at a later date.
💡 Did you know? At the Riverside National Cemetery, U.S. veterans and their spouses receive a free burial plot, headstone, and military honors. Chris and his team help coordinate these services at no cost to the family.
Cremation Process: What to Expect
If a family chooses cremation, here’s what happens:
- ✔️ The body is placed in a cremation container (a simple box or a chosen casket).
- ✔️ It is transported to the on-site crematory at Thomas Miller Mortuary.
- ✔️ Families can witness the cremation if their culture or religion requires it.
- ✔️ The ashes are processed and returned in an urn of the family’s choosing.
- ✔️ The family decides on final disposition—keeping, scattering, or interring the ashes.
📌 Cremated remains can be:
- • Kept at home in an urn.
- • Interred at a cemetery.
- • Scattered at sea (California law requires scattering 500 yards offshore).
- • Used in keepsake jewelry or turned into diamonds or blown-glass art.
💡 Chris’s Insight: “Some families choose unique urns, such as a favorite tequila bottle or a handmade wooden box. We even had a client build a special birdhouse to hold his wife’s ashes—it was a beautiful tribute.”
What Happens to Jewelry, Clothing, and Personal Items?
- ✔️ Burial: The deceased is dressed in their chosen outfit, and shoes and jewelry can be included. Many families keep sentimental items, such as wedding rings, as heirlooms.
- ✔️ Cremation: If families want to keep jewelry, it is removed before cremation. Some families request a small portion of the ashes be placed into jewelry keepsakes.
- ✔️ Fingerprint Jewelry: Families can create custom jewelry featuring the deceased’s fingerprint, a lasting tribute to their loved one.
💡 Chris’s Recommendation: “If a piece of jewelry holds sentimental value, consider keeping it as a remembrance. Many families regret cremating items they later wish they had kept.”
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice for You
Choosing between burial and cremation is a personal decision based on:
- ✔️ Religious and cultural beliefs
- ✔️ Family traditions
- ✔️ Financial considerations
- ✔️ The desire for flexibility
Regardless of your choice, pre-planning can ease the burden on your loved ones.
📌 Want to plan ahead?
Thomas Miller Mortuary offers pre-planning services, allowing you to:
- ✔️ Lock in today’s prices (avoiding future inflation).
- ✔️ Specify your wishes so your family isn’t left guessing.
- ✔️ Reduce stress for loved ones during an emotional time.
💡 Chris’s Closing Advice: “Whether you choose burial or cremation, the most important thing is making a decision that honors your loved one and brings comfort to your family.”