Burial

Burial

"Disposition" is the term used by the funeral industry to describe the final handling of the deceased's remains.  Although your initial decision for the disposition of the body is between burial and cremation, there are several variations on each.  Whichever choice you make, the body will eventually return to its natural elements.

Burial Choices

The most common choice in our area is earth burial, with the casket lowered into the grave space. Although it is not a state law, most cemeteries in our area require the casket to be surrounded by a cement container, also known as a vault.  There are also cemeteries that allow for the casket to be entombed in an above ground crypt within a structure called a mausoleum.  Burial at sea is also an option, but one that is very rare due to additional regulations and requirements.

Why people choose burial

Although the trend is moving toward cremation, the majority of North Americans still choose to bury their dead and to be buried themselves. Here are some reasons you might choose burial.

* Burial is traditional within your family, religious group, or geographical area. Here in the Northeast,

  burial is more common.

* You do not like the idea of the cremation

* You like the idea of the traditional cemetery with monuments, which offers a place

    to visit in respectful setting.

Decisions You Must Make If You Choose Burial

*  Where do you wish to be buried? Do you have a cemetery lot, or do you need to purchase one?

*  What type of casket would you like?  Caskets are made of wood and steel, and are available in many

    styles and in all price ranges.  Many of the steel caskets are built to lock and seal offering additional

    protection.  Wood caskets are more traditional in our area, and are constructed from hardwoods

    such as poplar, veneers, or solid wood such as oak, cherry, maple, walnut and mahogany.

*   If a vault, also known as an outer container, is required by the cemetery department, do you have a

    preference concerning the type of vault?  Vaults are required because they surround the casket

    in the grave space, keeping the surrounding earth stable and preventing settling and making maintenance

    of the lot much easier.  However vault companies also construct many vaults to be protective of the

    casket, lining them with heavy polystyrene, stainless steel, copper and bronze.