Funeral Burials

When one of your loved ones dies you are faced with the decision of whether you want them buried or cremated. In many cases the deceased will have expressed their preference before their death making the decision an easy one. However, if you have to make the decision then it should be something that is discussed with all members of the family so that no one is upset or offended by your choice. In this article we shall look at some of the history and background of burials as well as the benefits and types of burials available.

The oldest burial that has been found dates back 130,000 years, so it has been common practice for an incredibly long time. There are many religious reasons behind a burial, although you do not need to be religious to have yourself or your loved one buried. Many people believe that burying the dead is a mark of respect for them and is a natural human desire. Others also see burying the body as a way of bringing closure to the grief that the family is experiencing.

For those that are religious, many cultures believe in an afterlife which includes burial as a necessary step in this process. Other religions have a burial as part of their custom and part of their way of life.

There are many methods to burial. In the past bodies were usually buried in soil with little more than a mound above them. These days the most common method is to have the body buried and a stone marker placed above them with details of the deceased inscribed.

A growing trend for burials is a natural burial. Started in the 1990’s in the UK by Ken West, a natural burial involves placing the body directly into soil to allow it to decompose naturally in the soil and return to the earth. This practice is growing in popularity across the world including in Australia, USA, China and Germany.

A lot of people choose to prevent decay of the deceased. There are several methods to doing this. The most common one in the western world is embalming. Embalming the body is a way to slow down the decaying process once they have been buried. Less common in modern society is mummification, this is the most extensive way to delay the decaying process underground.

Most people choose to have their loved one buried in a casket or a coffin, and in many places this is a requirement. The caskets are then usually covered in a burial liner or burial vault to prevent them collapsing under the weight of the earth above them. By placing the body in a casket or coffin it slows down the decaying process by minimizing the amount of bacteria and other organisms from getting to the body. It is also practical as if there is a flood and the soil is washed away, the body will still not be exposed to open air.

When a person is buried they may be buried in particularly clothing or with items that are special to them. This is a truly personal choice; however in many cultures they believe that in the person’s afterlife they may require certain belongings, such as perhaps their wedding ring or other sentimental items. It is also worth considering that if the deceased has items or clothing buried with them that in the future archaeologists will be able to use them as information to find out about the way we lived, and it’s sort of a way of providing immortality for the deceased.

Many people choose to have the body on display before the burial. This often occurs during a wake or funeral service just prior to the burial. People often want the deceased to be looking their finest when family and friends say their final farewells. In this case they will usually be dressed in their best clothes and jewelry, and will be embalmed.