Burial involves placing the body below the ground in a traditional grave usually within a cemetery, or the body can be inserted in a purpose built vault or crypt.
Burial requires more planning than cremation and is more costly due to the burial plot required. You may already have a burial plot, if not, your Funeral Director can offer assistance.
The preparation method applied to the body for burial is determined by the length of time between death and burial.
If burial is to be within 5-8 days then minimal preparation of the body is required.
However, if the burial is scheduled beyond 8 days, embalming will usually be required which involves replacing bodily fluid and blood with a formaldehyde-based solution. This serves to preserve and disinfect the body.
Longer periods between death and burial are usually based on religious requirements or perhaps the time required to arrange the funeral.
There is no “better option” when deciding between cremation or burial.
The factors usually considered by families are that of cost and environmental footprint.