Should You Choose a Burial or a Cremation Service?
When someone dies and it’s your responsibility to make funeral arrangements, one of the fundamental questions is whether you will bury the person’s body or whether cremation feels more appropriate. If the person has previously expressed their funeral wishes, this might be an easy decision to make but, if not, it won’t always be clear what they might have wanted.
This underlying decision might be the first thing you need to think about, as the details of the funeral will arise from there. You might choose a very traditional cremation service, or something that is more customised to suit the person who died or the funeral attendees. Alternatively, if you choose a burial, there are many different types of burial grounds, which include eco-friendly options (such as services at natural burial grounds.)
If you’re not sure which is the best option, speak to a local funeral director about the options in your area. At Full Circle Funerals, we offer cremation services and burials throughout West Yorkshire and beyond, including via our partner service in Altrincham. Thanks to our experience in all manner of alternative and traditional funeral plans, we can advise you on all of the options available to you and make sure you find the service you are looking for. Get in touch via our website today to learn more about how we can help you plan the right memorial service, and decide whether burial or cremation is the right approach.
What is Cremation?
Cremation involves placing a body (and coffin) inside a very hot machine called a cremator. At the end of this process, ashes remain and are returned to you. Many families wonder what happens at a cremation service, especially in the UK, as it is more common to see burials depicted in films and on TV. While the order of service won’t always be the same, a cremation funeral service typically includes a funeral service at a crematorium, followed by the cremation itself. The coffin remains in the room where the service takes place until after everyone has left, at which point the cremation will take place. Afterward, you can visit the crematorium to remember the person who has died and there is often an optional “book of remembrance” in a visiting room.
When considering funeral service for cremation, it’s essential to understand what happens at a cremation service and the options available. We can guide you on how to choose a crematorium that suits your preferences, as well as choosing a crematorium set in a peaceful location that is suitable for reflection. Whether you are planning a cremation with a funeral service or exploring funeral options for an unattended cremation, we can provide support every step of the way, from selecting the venue to arranging the details. If you’re wondering how much a cremation costs, we can provide you with a breakdown of expenses.
If you choose a cremation, the service can be held at the crematorium or can be in any other venue of your choosing (such as a church or private venue), with the actual cremation process to happen later. Most crematoria allocate specific time slots (20-30 minutes) and you may wish to consider booking a “double slot” if you wish to hold a longer service. It is possible to have a very small and intimate service or to accommodate much larger groups.
In most crematoria, there are facilities to provide webcasts or record the service on DVD. Many people use this option if there are friends or family who are not able to attend the service. If this is something you would like to consider, we can provide you with further information.
Get in touch with the team at Full Circle Funerals to discuss making funeral arrangements or for advice on whether a cremation or burial is the right approach.
Please note: funeral directors are not responsible for setting cremation fees. These are set locally and are standard throughout the chosen area.
Direct Cremation
Direct cremation means that the body of the person who has died is taken from the funeral director to the crematorium and cremation takes place without a service, or any friends or family in attendance. The ashes are then collected by friends or family at a later date. The time, date and location of cremation are decided by the funeral director.
In a traditional direct cremation (as provided by the larger, national direct cremation providers), it is not possible to spend time with the person who has died, choose the clothes that they will be wearing or request fingerprints and locks of hair. With a Full Circle enhanced direct cremation, you are also able to visit the person who has died in the funeral home.
People may choose a direct cremation if they do not want the ‘fuss’ of a funeral or because they don’t feel that they can relate to a traditional funeral. Others choose this option because they plan to hold a commemorative service later.
Some are choosing direct cremation because it is perceived to be the cheapest option. Although this is often the case, it is also possible to plan an affordable funeral or cremation that is less restrictive. Even in the wake of rising funeral costs throughout the country, you can often arrange low-cost cremation services that include a ceremony with the right support from a funeral director.
If you believe that a direct cremation is the right approach, Full Circle Funerals can help. We offer two different direct cremation services that can be arranged to suit different needs. Please contact us if you would like to know more.
Ashes
Once the cremation has taken place, you then decide what you would like to happen with the ashes. There are different options you can consider, some more traditional and others slightly more alternative or unique. Ideas for what you can do with the person’s ashes include:
Scattering them at a favourite place. If you wish to take the ashes out of the country, please tell us and we can provide the relevant documents for you
Scattering them in the memorial garden at the crematorium. You may choose to be present at the crematorium garden or, if you prefer, crematorium staff can scatter them for you
Keeping them in your home in an urn. There are many beautiful ornamental urns to choose from
Burying them, perhaps with another member of the family who has died
Using a bio-urn to grow a tree from around the ashes
Having some or all of the ashes made into keepsakes such as jewellery, art pieces and wind chimes
Scattering ashes at sea. Using a water soluble urn is often the simplest and most effective way to do this.
Incorporating ashes into a firework display
Using the ashes within a Teddy Bear urn
What is a Burial?
Burial involves interring someone who has died into the ground. We can help you to arrange a variety of burial service options, including local authority cemeteries, churchyards, and even woodland and natural burial grounds for those seeking a more eco-friendly option. If you’re wondering what happens at a burial service, we are here to explain and help you understand the different elements involved. This can help you to choose between burial or cremation in the UK, and we are here to guide you through that decision process.
When planning a burial service, some people ask us what a burial service is called – this is either known as a burial service or committal. If the funeral takes place at the graveside, it may be called a graveside burial service. Whether you need assistance conducting the ceremony or want to know more about how a burial service might be different from a cremation service, we are here to help you get the service you want.
Traditional Burial
A traditional burial involves the interment of a body, usually in a deep grave at a cemetery or churchyard. The term ‘cemetery’ tends to refer to a burial ground that is located away from a church, while a churchyard is either in the grounds of the church or very nearby.
If you choose a traditional burial, you can still be creative and personalise your funeral. There are a wide range of choices about transport, coffins, service location and what you would like to happen around the graveside. Music may be played, readings or poetry can be read, toasts made and personal tributes may be spoken. A combination of traditional and more modern elements within a funeral may be appealing when someone has a diverse group of family and friends.
You can be buried without a religious service taking place, but for a burial in a church graveyard on consecrated land (land which has been declared sacred by the church) a Church of England or other Christian funeral service will usually be required.
Cemeteries tend to have a more modern look and feel. A number of cemeteries are non-denominational, and so most types of funeral service or ceremony can be conducted there. However, there are some which do have separate areas for different religious groups. Your funeral director can advise you on the requirements and help you to find the right burial site based on the service you want to hold, in a suitable location for you to visit should you wish.
Natural or Woodland Burial
Natural and woodland burial grounds are becoming a popular place to be buried. In essence, the body is buried less deep than in a traditional burial and is able to decompose in a more environmentally friendly manner. In many cases a tree, shrub or flower arrangement is planted on, or near, the burial site.
The majority of natural burial grounds will only accept biodegradable coffins and memorials. It is not always possible to plant individual trees on plots in these burial grounds, but there will still be a natural environment and serene space that allows for quiet reflection. Some natural burial sites use a flat wooden plaque with a basic inscription to mark the burial site, or there may be a separate memorial garden where stone inscriptions can be arranged.
As with any burial, it is possible to have the service at the graveside or in a separate location before or after the burial. The service could be conducted by a religious or non-religious celebrant or by friends and family. Some natural burial grounds have their own venue where services can be held.
If you are interested in a natural burial, we would suggest that you visit your local site, where you will also be able to ask questions of the managers who run the site. We are sure that on your visit you will be taken in by the spectacular surroundings and the peaceful environment! You can also discuss your requirements with a member of the team at Full Circle Funerals for advice on what to ask.
If you would like more information about natural burial grounds, please contact us to discuss the sites and the options available. A natural burial is often considered by people who are looking for greener funeral choices.
I Chose Full Circle because I wanted a modern, simple, unfussy service for my friend and this is exactly what he got. It couldn’t have been easier to arrange and Full Circle were patient and understanding to my requirements throughout. I would certainly recommend Full Circle should anyone ask.
– Sue
Why choose Full Circle Funerals?
At Full Circle Funerals, we know that every funeral service has to suit individual needs. Thanks to our experience, we know all of the options available for a burial or cremation service, and we can support your decision-making to help you find the perfect options. Whether you want to explore simple funerals like unattended direct cremation services, or more elaborate funerals with many mourners present and elements tailored to the specifics of the person’s life, we can help.
We can stand by your side throughout the process of making funeral arrangements, from the moments after the person dies, to when the mourners arrive and the cremation service takes place and beyond. It can be hard to know how to plan a funeral if you have never done it before, but we can guide you through the process. You may also find support in our funeral arranging podcast or funeral arranging guide.
As local funeral directors, our approach to planning a burial or cremation funeral service begins and ends with your specific needs, and the experience of each funeral director at Full Circle allows us to outline your options in detail, to make the decision-making process easier. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Where we’re located:
Full Circle Funerals delivers burial and cremation funerals throughout Yorkshire and Cheshire.
We’re always happy to answer any questions you have about burial, cremation or other aspects of funeral arrangements, even if you’re outside of these areas. We also find that people are willing to travel further to get the right funeral service for them, and we’re happy to accommodate you if this is the case.
FAQs About Burial and Cremation
How long is a cremation service?
A traditional cremation service usually lasts around 20-30 minutes, and is held in a crematorium chapel. For simple cremation services, the crematorium will usually offer slots of around this length, which limits the type and length of the service you can have.
However, the running order and length of the service can sometimes be customised to accommodate individual needs, especially if you have the option to book a double-length slot in which to hold a longer ceremony. If you have something specific in mind for the service itself, it is worthwhile to discuss your funeral plans with a funeral director who can advise you on tailoring the service to your specific wishes, and working with a crematorium to accommodate your plans.
