When a loved one passes or you are sorting your own personal funeral plan, one of the most challenging decisions can be what sort of funeral you want and how you want the body to be treated afterwards. While there are a number of different options such as medical donations, the most common options in the UK are burial and cremation.

Burial has been the traditional method of disposing of a body for centuries. It is often seen as a more natural way to deal with death as it involves returning the body to the earth. For many people, it is also seen as a way to honour the deceased and provide a place for loved ones to visit and remember them. Usually, a burial will involve a casket, a plot of land in a cemetery, a tombstone as well as a longer funeral service where the procession sees the coffin being lowered into the ground. This is why funerals are often seen as the more intimate and personal option among the various funeral and memorial types.

The benefits of a burial service

As mentioned above, burials are a traditional and time-tested form of remembrance that is often seen as the most personal and intimate way to honour the passing of a loved one. With a burial comes a lot of different customisation options, allowing you to pick out the perfect coffin, get a plot of land near other loved ones and pick out a lovely and representative tombstone. The gravesite is a permanent reminder of your loved one, something that people can visit to pay their respects and take flowers and other ornaments to. This appeals to many people as it feels more continual and helps to make the mourning and grieving process easier as there is always somewhere to go if needed.

A traditional and familiar service
More personal and customisable to the specific wishes of the deceased
Permanent gravesite

The disadvantages of a burial service

While the customisation of a burial service is something that can be greatly appealing, it can also be a major disadvantage. All of the different additions add up to making a burial a very expensive option and not everything may be covered in a funeral plan. Options like a plot of land, a tombstone as well as coffin will often need to be paid for in addition to the funeral service and this can easily escalate to large sums. It must also be noted that while customisation can be a blessing for someone making their own funeral plan, it can easily be a burden and heavy stress for a loved one trying to sort funeral preparations themselves after your passing. The choices and the immense pressure of choosing what they think is right for you can be incredibly unwelcome in a time of hardship and pain, though some find it a welcome distraction and a chance for remembrance and celebration. There is no ‘one size fits all' solution to remembrance and honouring the departed so it is important to have open and honest communication with your loved ones about your wishes, even if you do take up a funeral plan. Another potential issue for many when considering a burial is the feeling of being a burden to those left behind. A permanent gravesite is great for remembrance but it requires consistent maintenance and it can also feel an overwhelming commitment to loved ones living far away or trying to live their lives. With our daily lives becoming so busy and occupied, many feel that burial and the permanent plot are too much to ask of their loved ones and would prefer something less reliant on consistent upkeep.
High prices for funeral service as well as necessary additions
Customisation can be a difficult experience for loved ones left behind
The feeling of being a burden


Cremation is a newer method of disposing of a body and has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is often seen as a more economical option as it does not require the purchase of a coffin or plot of land. It is also more versatile, as the ashes can be scattered in a place that is significant to the deceased or their family. Some people choose to keep the ashes in an urn or other type of container. While not necessarily seen as a traditional method, cremation has its roots in the late stone age with most scholars dating the first cremation to around 3,000 BC.

The benefits of a cremation

Cremations are a cheaper alternative to a more traditional burial method. On average, it is around 50% cheaper than a burial service but this can vary depending on the type of service and the location. You also have the option of a direct cremation, a cremation without a funeral service. This is often far cheaper and it allows for a memorial service to be held at the convenience of loved ones. If you have a lot of families abroad or from different areas of the country, this can be a great way to make sure everyone can be a part of the service and pay their respects. While not a permanent fixture, cremations offer a chance to scatter the ashes of your loved one in a place-specific and special to them, allowing for a great opportunity to pay your respects in a unique and personal way. Urns are also quite customisable if you do want to store the remains in an urn and you can keep them in your home which can be really special and really significant. It can also be worth noting that in terms of resources, a cremation wastes far fewer resources than a burial. If you, or your loved one, was someone who cared for the environment and sustainability, cremations are often a great way to respect their wishes and pay tribute to their feelings.

Much cheaper than a traditional burial
Opportunities to scatter ashes in a personal place
Chance to hold memorial service at more convenient times
Fewer materials used

The disadvantages of a cremation

There are several potential drawbacks to choosing cremation as opposed to a traditional burial. One potential issue is that cremation is final; once the body is cremated, there is no way to reverse the process or retrieve the remains. This can be a difficult decision for some people to make, knowing that there is no turning back once the decision is made. Cremation also requires special handling of the body, which some people may find intrusive or upsetting. Finally, some people simply prefer the tradition of burial and the idea of a physical grave site where they can visit and pay their respects to their loved ones. Cremation does not offer this same type of tangible memorial.

In summary, both methods and types of service have their ups and downs and it always comes down to your own personal preference and personal circumstances. These decisions are never easy and it is part of our job to make the decision as accessible and as smooth as possible, offering the necessary support and guidance to allow you to make the best decision for you and your loved one.