When a loved one passes away, financial considerations are a major factor for families. Therefore, many wonder which is more expensive: cremation or burial. To help you make an easier decision when the time comes to plan a funeral, Stelae has analysed the costs of both funeral services.
What determines the price of a cremation or burial?
The price of a cremation or burial is influenced by a variety of factors:
- The type of service: prices vary depending on whether a basic or a more tailored service is chosen.
- The geographical location: in each region the costs may be different and, even though they are generally higher in large cities, it also depends on the municipality.
- The type of urn or coffin: higher quality materials are more expensive.
- Extra expenses: added funeral services such as transportation or administrative procedures increase the overall price.
Type of service chosen
We must bear in mind that a basic funeral service is not the same as a premium service. The materials, the services included and the opportunity to personalise a service, will all determine the final cost, regardless of whether burial or cremation is chosen.
Approximate prices for a cremation and burial
Which is more expensive: cremation or burial? Generally speaking, we can say that a burial is more expensive than a cremation, especially direct cremation, since it eliminates various expenses that are associated with a traditional burial.
How much does it cost to cremate someone?
With a direct cremation the costs are significantly reduced. There is no need to purchase a luxurious coffin or lease space in the cemetery, so there are no subsequent maintenance costs.
The average cost of a cremation can be around 2,100 euros for companies offering a direct cremation service. To this must be added additional costs such as municipal taxes. If a special kind of urn is chosen, the price can also increase. Additional costs such as the use of the funeral home and the ceremony can also lead to a higher price.
Price comparison between cremation and burial
In the case of a burial, in addition to the basic cost of the burial, other expenses such as the coffin, cemetery fees for the use and maintenance of a plot, the wake and the ceremony must be added on.
If you choose cremation, you may wish to opt for a direct cremation. As none of these additional services are included, it is the cheapest option. We hope this information helps you decide which is the cheaper option between a cremation and burial.
What does Stelae's cremation service include?
The price of direct cremation at Stelae may vary depending on the type of service chosen. This is because we offer different options that can be adapted to the needs and budgets of each family. What do our cremation services include?
Cremation process
All of our services include collection from the place of death and transfer to the crematorium, a basic range coffin suitable for cremation, handling of legal documentation, the cremation itself, the funeral urn including its safekeeping, and the transfer of ashes to the home.
Advice and support throughout the process
With all our cremation options, we also provide a telephone counselling service to help families through the bereavement process.
We also provide advice on all aspects of the cremation process and, with some of our services, we also provide legal support. This usually comes at an additional cost for other companies and can increase the price of cremation.
Options for the ashes: urn, scattering, etc
The delivery of the ashes to the home is included in the price of our cremation services. At Stelae we coordinate this delivery to ensure that the authorised family member is present to receive them.
We also have an additional service for the transfer of ashes to a different destination, whether it be national, in the EU or international. And, for families who want to add a burial in a cemetery, or in a place of nature, or even at sea, we also have different options, in which the price of the grave may vary.
Why choose cremation over burial?
Cremation is an option that is usually cheaper than burial. It is also more hygienic from a public health point of view. Furthermore, it is accepted by most religions and provides a wide range of options for disposing of a loved one's ashes.
Ecological and sustainable benefits of cremation
From an environmental perspective, cremation is more sustainable than burial, as it reduces the environmental impact. Technology has advanced to minimise the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere and there are more and more environmentally friendly options such as biodegradable urns, cremation in green spaces, etc.
Frequently asked questions about cremation and burial
Does cremation affect the ashes?
Although the cremation process can generate polluting gases, the ashes do not become toxic. In fact, technology has advanced to use incinerators that minimise gas emissions during cremation and reduce the environmental impact. Legislation itself regulates the cremation process so that it is non-toxic.
What cremation services does Stelae include?
All our services include collection from the place of death and transfer to the crematorium, a coffin suitable for cremation, handling legal procedures, the cremation, the funeral urn and its safekeeping, telephone counselling and the delivery of the ashes to the home. Other services may be added depending on the option chosen. Contact Stelae to find out about all the options available.
