Differences between Burial and Cremation

Burial vs. Cremation

Burial is the act of placing a deceased individual into the ground, sometimes within a casket. Cremation is a process that uses high heat to reduce a body to bone fragments, which are often called ashes. Both practices serve to respectfully handle remains and have long histories, with evidence of burial dating back 100,000 years and cremation at least 20,000 years. The choice between them often involves personal, religious, financial, and environmental considerations. In the United States, cremation rates have been rising, with the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) projecting a rate of 63.4% in 2025.

Comparison Table

Category	Burial	Cremation
Process	The body remains whole and is typically placed in a casket before being interred in the ground or a mausoleum.	The body is exposed to temperatures of 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours, reducing it to bone fragments.
Land Use	Requires a cemetery plot, contributing to the use of significant land resources. U.S. cemeteries cover an estimated 2 million acres.	Does not directly use land, as remains can be scattered, kept, or interred in a small plot or columbarium.
Environmental Impact	Can introduce embalming chemicals like formaldehyde into the soil. Casket and vault production consumes wood, metal, and concrete.	A single cremation can release about 400 to 600 pounds of carbon dioxide and may release mercury from dental fillings.
Median Cost (U.S.)	The national median cost for a funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023.	The national median cost for a funeral with viewing and cremation was $6,280 in 2023. Direct cremation can cost between $2,000 and $5,000.
Religious Views	Traditionally preferred or required in Judaism, Islam, and some Christian denominations, often linked to beliefs in a physical resurrection.	It is prohibited in Islam and Orthodox Judaism. It is preferred in Hinduism to release the soul. Views in Christianity vary, but it is now acceptable to many denominations.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Burial and Cremation

Environmental considerations

Both traditional burial and cremation have environmental consequences. A conventional burial may involve embalming fluids, which can contaminate groundwater, and the use of resources like hardwood and metal for caskets. The maintenance of cemetery grounds also requires water and potentially pesticides.

Cremation requires significant energy, typically from burning fossil fuels, and releases pollutants into the atmosphere. Estimates suggest a single cremation emits between 400 and 600 pounds of CO₂, along with other pollutants like mercury from dental fillings.

In response to these concerns, alternative practices have emerged. Green burials, which avoid embalming fluids and use biodegradable materials, offer a more eco-friendly burial option. A newer alternative to cremation is alkaline hydrolysis, also known as aquamation. This water-based process uses a chemical solution to decompose the body, using about 90% less energy than flame cremation and producing no direct greenhouse gas emissions.

Cultural and religious perspectives

Religious and cultural traditions have a strong influence on the choice between burial and cremation. Abrahamic religions like Judaism and Islam have historically required burial. Within Christianity, burial has been the long-established custom, partly due to the belief in the bodily resurrection. While some Christians maintain this tradition, many denominations now find cremation acceptable.

In other religions, such as Hinduism, cremation is the preferred practice, believed to be the quickest way to release the soul and aid in reincarnation. Buddhist practices vary, but cremation is common. Sikhism generally prefers cremation, though burial is permitted. Ultimately, the decision often reflects a combination of religious doctrine, cultural norms, and personal interpretation.