Choosing a final resting place is a significant decision. In today’s evolving funeral industry, various burial options extend beyond the traditional burial ground choice. The conclusion from green burials to above-ground entombment depends on varying factors, including personal beliefs, traditions, and budget considerations. Familiarizing oneself with the available preferences is crucial to make an informed decision. You can receive professional counseling to guide you through these choices by availing services from funeral homes Tulsa, OK. This guide defines various burial types and their nuances to facilitate a more straightforward decision-making process.
Understanding Traditional Burial Options
Traditional burial, often called in-ground burial, is a widely adopted choice. Following embalming, we place the body in a casket in a formal or conventional burial. A funeral service occurs before burial, typically involving a viewing or visitation. After the service, a procession moves from the funeral home to the cemetery, lowering the casket into a burial plot. Then, they mark this plot with a grave marker or headstone. While conventional burials can be costlier due to embalming, casket, and burial plot charges, many appreciate this option’s enduring physical memorial.
Exploring Green Burial Choices
Green burial is gaining momentum as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional burials. They are also known as natural burials; they avoid introducing toxic chemicals into the environment, like those in embalming. Generally, we don’t use a vault; instead of traditional caskets, we choose biodegradable coffins or shrouds. Some green cemeteries even endorse native plant restoration on graves instead of headstones. This option resonates with those deeply respecting the environment and desiring a return to nature after death. However, local laws may impact the availability and specifics of green burial options, so it’s wise to explore local regulations and options.
Above-Ground Entombment Explained
Above-ground entombment refers to placing a body in a grave, tomb, or mausoleum above the ground. Often considered a status symbol in the past, this burial option is open to everyone today. Mausoleums are private or community-owned structures that house multiple crypts for bodies. Individuals can also choose a lawn crypt involving double-depth burial spaces under reinforced concrete. These have a grassy surface, resembling a traditional in-ground burial, offering a more affordable alternative to mausoleums. Above-ground entombment may appeal to those seeking a drier, cleaner, and more accessible visiting site than a traditional in-ground burial.
Delving into Sea Burials
Sea burials offer a unique and environmentally friendly option for those intimately connected to sea life or naval service. This option involves the ashes or the body being committed to the deep, typically at least three miles offshore. If we commit a body to sea, we must weigh it appropriately to ensure it sinks quickly and rests permanently on the sea floor. Ashes are often scattered or held in a biodegradable urn that dissolves over time. Knowing that the law regulates sea burials is vital, and you must obtain permission. This choice adds a unique spiritual symbolism and eco-awareness to the burial process.
Considering Cremation and its Options
Cremation transforms the remains of a loved one into ashes through a process of high-heat combustion. It is an increasingly popular choice due to its affordability and flexibility. Ashes can be kept in an urn, buried in a cemetery or family plot, scattered in a significant place, or interred in a columbarium. Some people even keep a small portion of the ashes in keepsake jewelry. More unusual choices exist, such as turning ashes into diamonds or sending them into space. The variety of choices with cremation allows for personalizing the final resting place.
Choosing a final resting place is a deeply personal and significant decision. A broad array of burial options are available to reflect individual wishes, beliefs, and budgets. Whether it’s a traditional burial, a green burial, or perhaps cremation, understanding each choice helps you make the right decision. At Dyer Memorial Chapel, we stand ready to guide you through these choices. Offering comprehensive services in funeral homes Tulsa, OK, we treat each decision with the respect, empathy, and support it deserves. Contact Dyer Memorial Chapel today; let’s navigate this journey together, turning complexity into clarity.