8 Cremation Alternatives for You or a Loved One
By Cassie Barthuly, BA in English
Blog
Burial
Burial, also known as internment, is the method of placing a deceased body into the ground. Humans have buried their dead since ancient times, and this has been a practical option for millennia.
Burial alternatives
While traditional burials are still a common way to lay a loved one to rest, you have many options to consider. Burial alternatives offer a similar focus on remembrance and honoring your loved one, but the body isn't buried within the ground. Examples of burial alternatives are donation, cryonics, space burials, cremation, and even green burial. This is a highly personal choice, and it's a way to share your legacy.
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Burial urns and caskets
Burial urns and caskets are placed within the ground, typically in a cemetery. These come in all different types of materials, colors, and sizes. Burial urns hold cremated remains, while burial caskets hold the bodies of the deceased. Traditionally, these are buried 6 feet below the ground, and this is still common practice in most parts of the world today. The more you know about burial urns and caskets, the better prepared you'll be to make an informed decision.
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A Guide to Urns for Ashes: Types, Cost & Where to Buy
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
12 Popular Places You Can Buy Urns Online
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
Green burials
While traditional burials are costly and take a toll on the environment, green burials offer a new alternative. In a green burial, the body is placed into the earth naturally, without the use of a metal casket or burial vault. The purpose of a green burial is to allow the body to naturally return to earth, similar to how humans were buried in ancient times. This is a more affordable, eco-friendly choice.
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Natural Burials Explained: Meaning, Cost & Planning
By Jasmine Tanguay, BA, MS
Green vs. Traditional Embalming: What’s the Difference?
By Sherrie Johnson, BA in Liberal Studies
Religious & cultural burial traditions
There's much you can learn about a culture from their traditions around death and dying. Burial is an important way to say goodbye to loved ones in many parts of the world, and each culture has its own ways to honor the dead. From special prayers to wakes, these customs are a way for families to get the support they need while expressing grief over their loss.
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Guide to Death & Dying in Different Cultures Around the World
By Klaudia Krystyna
All Articles about Burial
How Long Can You Own a Cemetery Plot?
By Kate Wight, BA in English
What's a Burial Vault? Definition & FAQs
By Rev. Nancy Niero
Stones on Graves: The Jewish Burial Tradition Explained
By Sam Tetrault, BA in English
Columbariums Explained: Definition, Cost & Purpose
By Cassie Barthuly, BA in English
How to Bury a Loved One If You Can’t Afford It
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
Who’s Allowed to Be Buried at Arlington National Cemetery?
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
Checklist: What to Do When a Veteran Dies
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
Interment Explained: Definition, Process & Purpose
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
How Extreme Embalming Works: Cost, Process & Appeal
By Sarah Kessler
Cemetery vs. Graveyard: 4 Differences to Know
By Kate Wight, BA in English
Tibetan Sky Burials: History, Traditions & Process Explained
By Kate Wight, BA in English
Average Cost of a Natural (Green) Burial: A Price Breakdown
By Kate Wight, BA in English
Mass of Christian Burials: Order of Mass & What to Expect
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
Coral Reef Burials: Everything You Need to Know
By Cassie Barthuly, BA in English
Burial Clothing: How to Properly Clothe the Dead
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
What's a Jewish Burial Shroud?
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
How Does Alkaline Hydrolysis Work? Process, Cost + More
By Sherrie Johnson, BA in Liberal Studies
Mausoleum Burial Basics: Pros, Cons & Cost
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
A Guide to Burials at Sea for Civilian & Military Burials
By Sherrie Johnson, BA in Liberal Studies
How Water Burials Work: Process, Cost & Impact
By Kate Wight, BA in English
How Space Burials Work: Cost & How to Plan
By Kate Wight, BA in English
6 Popular Types of Above Ground Burials
By Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education
What's a Burial Shroud & How Does It Work?
By Adam Waltner, BA in Creative Writing & American Literature
Does Cryonic Preservation Work? Pros & Cost
By Sherrie Johnson, BA in Liberal Studies
A dead body: cremation, burial, and donation options
By Danielle Solomon, MA in Professional Writing