Options for Burying Cremation Remains

Choosing to bury a loved one’s remains is a big decision. Lots of people love the idea of cremation because they can get really creative about what to have done with their remains. Of course, that flexibility raises a lot of questions for families, especially those who don’t have a plan in place for the remains. They may wonder where they can bury remains, and how best to do it.

The good news is that there are a lot of ways that families can carry out a loved one’s wishes. By considering the benefits of various types of burials, families can find a final rest that honors their loved ones.

When families receive the cremated remains of a loved one, they have a variety of options for how to handle them. These include:

• Burying the remains
• Scattering
• Placing the remains in a permanent place above ground
• Keeping the remains at home or in another location

Burial involves picking a spot and making a plan to provide a final resting place for the remains. Although scattering remains is similar, it is not the same thing. Scattering involves placing the remains on the surface. Burial is different in that people must completely cover the remains as part of the process. Urns are also often involved in burial, but they wouldn’t be used for scattering on land.

For many people, the end of life means finding a final resting place. The notion of returning to the earth is an important part of many spiritual beliefs. Burial is a practical option for cremated remains. Families have plenty of choices when they bury remains. It’s reasonable to choose one that fits their budget and provides an appropriate tribute to their loved ones.

Some burial options require the purchase of an urn, but there’s a lot of flexibility in this choice. Certain types of burial may not require an urn at all. Others, including placement at a cemetery, may require a specific type of urn. The good news is that they can suit any style or budget. Family members might pick a biodegradable urn that highlights a loved one’s interests. They could also choose one that will withstand the elements.

It is common for families to host a memorial at the time of the burial. Cremation is convenient because it doesn’t require families to hold services at a given time. As such, families might choose to host a memorial service shortly after someone’s passing as a way to support those who are grieving. Then, they could hold a separate service at the time of the burial.

Families have several options to consider for burying cremated remains. These choices depend on availability and cost. If a loved one wants to have their remains buried in an unusual location, it’s going to take some research. Family members tasked with carrying out those wishes may want to start there first.

Buying a cemetery plot to bury remains is one of the most common choices. Of course, cremation is rising in popularity due to the fact that cemetery plots are increasingly unavailable in certain regions. However, there are many people who still have access. A dedicated plot provides a permanent place for the remains. It becomes an identifiable spot for loved ones to visit. Cemetery plots are also ideal for permanent placement with a spouse who was not cremated. For most people, buying a cemetery plot is the most expensive option.

Burial on private property isn’t common, but people may choose to do it. For families that own private property, this can be one of the most affordable options with a high degree of flexibility. Someone who has unusual preferences for the burial of their remains might be served best with burial on private property.

People have a lot of control over what they can do on their own private property. However, burying human remains has some limits. Specifically, families may need to determine if the zoning of the property would allow them to place human remains on the land. In some cases, they should apply for a burial permit. For placement on private property that is not owned by a willing family member, families should get written permission to bury the remains before carrying out any plans.

Burial in a public location isn’t impossible, but it is harder to carry out than private burial. Many people want to have their remains placed in an area that was particularly meaningful to them, such as a popular vacation spot. It’s an option worth considering for families who can’t afford a cemetery plot, or who don’t have private land they can use for burial.

Burying remains in a public location depends on the regulations of that area. Most places don’t allow it, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. For example, it is popular for families to scatter cremated remains at a national park. Many national parks permit people to do this, with specific limitations. However, these limitations typically exclude burying or piling the remains.

A plan to bury remains in water is another possibility, and it may be easier than finding public land. It’s especially popular for people who spend their lives near a large lake or the ocean. There are many urns that are designed for this purpose. They will not contaminate the water source. As with other public locations, families should research the rules in advance before planning a burial at sea. They may need to apply for a permit in advance and deposit the remains a specific distance from shore.

Families can pick urns made of almost any material. That’s one of the best parts of cremation–finding an urn that really represents someone’s personality. While families don’t have as many choices when selecting urns for burial, they still have lots of flexibility. These options are the most popular

Biodegradable urns may be a great choice for burying remains. They’re especially good for locations that do not require an urn made of stone or metal. Biodegradable urns are intended to break down within a shorter period of time. They are often made of paper, with a compostable interior sack that is made to degrade quickly. Many biodegradable urns are suitable for burial underground or at sea. As an added benefit, these urns can be much less expensive than other styles.

When families consider the type of urn that they would like to buy, they should look for the best choices for the location. For example, an indoor columbarium might allow different urn materials than one with an outdoor placement. Similarly, someone who intends to bury an urn in a cemetery plot may need to choose something approved by the cemetery. As a general rule, urns intended for burial should be made of a durable but natural material that will not leach toxins into the surrounding soil. Metal or stone are the most common choices, although synthetic materials are increasingly popular.

Providing a final resting place for a loved one is expensive. People often choose cremation because it costs less. As such, it is not surprising that many families are looking for ways to honor a loved one without breaking the bank. There are a few options they may want to consider, including:

• Burial in a cemetery plot that already holds the remains of a family member
• Choosing an inexpensive biodegradable urn
• Waiting until more money is available

As a general rule, cemeteries bury an urn about three feet below the surface. This standard allows many families to place the remains of multiple people in the same plot, even if one of them had a traditional burial.

Burying cremated remains involves a fair amount of research, some decision-making and a little physical labor at the end. After consulting local guidelines, families can make a plan to bury the remains according to their loved one’s preferences.

For many families, the biggest decision is where to put their loved one’s remains. If they want to place an urn at a cemetery, they will need to choose one that has available plots or niches in a columbarium. In the case of a cemetery, families may not be able to choose where their loved one’s remains will go. On private property, however, they may be able to pick any place they like. They should opt for an area that is at least several feet from property lines, in a spot where they are not planning any improvements in the near future.

Traveling with human remains is common, but it takes some research. Taking remains to another location has rules, especially if people can’t get there by car. In order to transport human remains using public facilities or airplanes, families need to identify the remains in advance. They may also need to purchase a special container that will seal completely until they reach their destination. To travel outside the country, families should research the rules for crossing the border with remains. It can take time to get approval for complicated requests, so it’s best to find out at least a couple of weeks in advance.

Although families don’t have to host a memorial service at the time of burial, it is a good idea for many people. There’s a reason that funeral services often involve a graveside service. It is an opportunity for family and friends to watch as their loved one is given a final rest. With cremated remains, the memorial service can be as simple or as complicated as families want. They might choose to say a few words before burying, or create an elaborate ceremony in which everyone can play a part.

For families who are planning to do a memorial service as part of the burial, it is important to prepare the ground first. In areas with cold winters, people may have to wait until the soil is warm enough for digging. On private property, it may be a wise idea to ask local utilities to identify any lines running underground before choosing a spot. The last thing that anybody needs is to accidentally cut a service line during burial.

Otherwise, the best way to prepare depends on the urn and the type of burial. Families who are looking for a permanent placement of an urn vault may need to dig at least three feet down. By comparison, people who are burying the remains in a biodegradable urn might not need to dig so far. In areas with low drainage or heavy rainfall, families may want to dig deeper to avoid the urn rising to the surface through erosion.

As a general rule, it is best for families to assume that buried remains are there permanently. Although families might intend to relocate them later, they aren’t always able to do this. Burial on private property can make it more difficult to track the location of the remains, particularly if people did not use an urn vault. As such, families may want to choose a location that is less likely to be disrupted in the future. If people are unsure about the best spot, or they can’t agree on one, they may need to hold off on deciding.

It's natural to feel like burying cremated remains ought to be as complicated as a traditional burial. In some cases, it can be. In others, it might be delightfully against the norm, as a loved one would have wanted. Choosing burial for remains is one of many options that families have, in addition to scattering or keeping them at home. It can be a great way to honor a loved one, while providing a permanent resting place. Of course, it may have unique aspects that families need to consider before they make a plan. When family members follow this guide, they know what to expect and how best to take care of their loved one’s remains.