When facing the loss of a loved one, the question of what to do next can feel heavy and overwhelming. Often, loved ones find themselves having to make decisions without ever having the opportunity to ask their loved one what they would have wanted. At Gerst, we walk families through their options and help them make the right decision on meaningful and appropriate final arrangements for their loved one. One of the first questions our funeral professionals will ask is about the final resting place. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore these options, which include burial, entombment, and cremation.
Earth Burial
Earth burial, also known as interment, is the most common option for a final resting place. It involves placing the deceased in a grave, often within a casket, and marking the site with a headstone or other memorial. Cemeteries offer family plots that provide families with the comfort of knowing that the entire family can be buried together and rest near one another. This also gives loved ones a single place to visit and honor multiple people who have passed. Cemeteries vary and have different requirements, including the types of caskets or urns allowed, grave markers, and plot sizes. The funeral home can often help relay questions and coordinate directly with the cemetery on your behalf. They can also assist with paperwork, scheduling, and veteran benefit forms. If you are considering an Earth Burial, here are a few important questions to ask your funeral professional or cemetery:
- What cemetery options are available?
- How long does it take to prepare a grave?
- Are there regulations regarding the size, materials, or placement of headstones or grave markers?
- Can the funeral or memorial service be held at the gravesite?
- Are there special options or benefits available for veterans?
Entombment
Similar to an Earth Burial, entombment offers a fixed, final resting place. When a body is entombed, the casket is placed in a mausoleum, an aboveground structure usually made of marble or stone, rather than underground. Mausoleums vary significantly in size and design. Depending on cemetery regulations and options, some mausoleums are large enough for entire families, with room for each person’s casket. This choice provides a lasting, physical place to honor generations of family legacy, with opportunities for personalization. Here are a few questions to ask your funeral professional or cemetery if you are considering entombment:
- What types of mausoleums or crypts are available?
- Can multiple family members be entombed together?
- Is ongoing maintenance included in the cost?
- Are there options for pre-planning or reserving a space in advance?
Cremation
Cremation is an alternative option to final disposition where the deceased is turned to ashes. The biggest misconception about cremation is that there can’t be a funeral service or visitation. This is absolutely not the case. There are many memorial services and final resting options for cremation, including:
- Interment: This is when your loved one’s cremated remains are buried or entombed. This can be in a family plot, a memorial site, a cremation niche or urn garden, or in a variety of other indoor and outdoor locations.
- Graveside services: This option allows for loved ones to be present at the burial of the cremated remains and honor their loved one through memorial prayers or other meaningful tributes similar to a traditional in-ground burial ceremony.
- Scattering Remains: This is when loved ones spread the deceased’s cremated remains in a memorial garden, a cemetery, or across another meaningful site. This option lets you scatter some of the cremated remains and retain the rest in an urn or keepsake for interment.
- Multiple Urns: Placing cremated remains in several urns allows family members who are separated by distance to each feel the comfort of having their loved one’s final resting place in a nearby location.
At Gerst, we can provide a detailed list of interment possibilities and other final resting options for your loved one. Here are a few questions to ask your funeral professional or cemetery if you are considering cremation:
- What is included in the cremation package, and what costs are additional?
- How long does the cremation process take?
- How and when will the cremated remains be returned to the family?
- What options are available for customization of the final placement of the remains?
Honoring Your Loved One With Gerst
At Gerst, we understand how much planning goes into honoring a loved one. Our team is here to guide you through every step, including final resting place options, pre-planning, an obituary guide, out-of-area protection, and ongoing grief support resources. Our goal is to ease as much of the stress as possible, so you can focus on what matters most. Connect with Gerst and gain intentional support today.