How does cremation differ from traditional burial?

Cremation fundamentally differs from traditional burial in that it involves the process of reducing the body to ashes through burning, while burial entails placing the body in the ground in a coffin or grave. This distinction is rooted in the methods and processes used to handle the deceased.

Cremation utilizes high heat to transform the body into cremated remains, which are often referred to as ashes or cremains. This method adds a layer of convenience and can often meet various personal, cultural, or religious preferences for those involved in the arrangements.

On the other hand, burial is an ancient practice that involves a physical interment in the earth, which requires digging a grave and often involves additional funerary rituals and costs associated with coffins, vaults, and ongoing maintenance of burial plots.

While it is often the case that cremation may come with lower costs compared to traditional burial, this is not universally true and can depend on several factors, making it an incomplete definition of the primary difference. Similarly, cremation does not inherently require a funeral service, as it can occur with or without such observances. The correct choice highlights the fundamental distinction in the methods of handling the body.