When choosing whether to have a cremation or burial, it is important to understand how expensive both options are. They both involve costs that can vary greatly depending on what you decide to include. In this article, we will explain the major financial differences between them and what you should bear in mind in order to make the best decision.
Cost comparison between the burial and cremation process
Price is an important aspect to consider when faced with deciding which funeral service to choose. If you are not sure if a burial or a cremation is more expensive, we will explain so that you can make the best choice for you.
What is the price of a cremation service?
At Stelae, cremation services start at €1475 for our Stelae SOFT service, which includes collection of the deceased, the cremation and the delivery of the ashes in an environmentally friendly Eco Paper urn.
The price can, of course, increase depending on any additional services you wish to arrange, such as having a better quality urn or receiving psychological care, as well as the option of scattering the ashes in a special place.
What is the price of a burial service?
If you want to know which costs more, a cremation or burial, the quick answer is that a traditional burial is usually significantly more expensive than a direct cremation.
In addition to the cost of the coffin, which will be more expensive for a burial as it is more detailed and better quality, there are also costs such as the ceremony, transport and burial fees. These tend to be higher for niches and mausoleums.
Factors affecting the cost of a burial and cremation service
When determining whether it is going to be more expensive to have a cremation or burial, different aspects come into play which help to better understand the cost of these two funeral solutions.
- Type of service: Prices vary depending on whether a basic or premium service is chosen.
- Geographical location: Costs are also different depending on the location of where the service is carried out. For example, it is usually more expensive in larger cities.
- Type of urn or coffin: Choosing higher quality or environmentally friendly materials also influence the final price.
- Extra expenses: Services such as transport, organising permits and legal advice can increase the price of cremations and burials.
What additional costs should be considered for a burial?
If you wish to have a more cost-effective burial there are a number of other additional extras to bear in mind which can push the price up.
- The material and design of the coffin can add considerably to the cost.
- Cemeteries usually charge fees for burial and for the maintenance of the grave.
- There are usually regular payments for the maintenance of the grave.
- The organisation of wakes or farewell ceremonies may also increase the cost of a burial.
Such costs often tip the balance in favour of a direct cremation when it comes to determining which is more expensive, cremation or burial.
Why is cremation usually cheaper?
Direct cremation is cheaper because it eliminates a number of expenses associated with a traditional burial.
For one thing, there is no need to purchase a luxurious coffin, nor is there a need to rent permanent cemetery space. In addition, there is usually no need for long-term maintenance services for a tomb, and if there is, they are much less than those associated with a burial.
Financial considerations for both types of funerals
There are different ways to reduce the costs for both types of funeral services. The following are some of the best options.
- Contracting basic services such as Stelae SOFT allows you to reduce costs without sacrificing the dignity of the process.
- Choose a private wake instead of a large ceremony and avoid spending money on flowers and obituaries.
- By comparing different funeral service providers, you can choose the one that offers the services that best fit your budget.
Now that you know what to look for when determining the costs of a cremation and burial, we are sure that you will be able to make a much more informed decision that is right for you and your family.
