After a Funeral: A Guide to Final Disposition Options

Have you ever heard of final disposition?

If not, it’s nothing to worry about. This technical-sounding term simply refers to the final steps taken after a funeral. In short, what happens to the deceased.

While most people think of age-old options like burial or cremation – there are plenty of alternatives. Keep reading to learn about modern methods and new types of body disposition that you might not have heard about before.

Burial

This is the most traditional method of disposition – but did you know there are actually a variety of burial options? First, the list can be easily narrowed down into above and below-ground burial.

Below ground burial includes traditional casket and natural disposition, as well as the burial of cremated ashes. Above-ground burial relies on crypts and mausoleums.

These days, alternative burial options such as natural burial are becoming more popular. These eco-friendly final wishes skip the embalming step and don’t encase the body in a casket or burial chamber below-ground. And, in some cases, tree burial pods are used to help transform the dearly departed into a part of the living ecosystem.

Cremation

Cremation is another popular choice for disposition, with plenty of flexibility to help families and loved ones honor the departed. Ashes are sometimes stored in what’s called a columbarium – a cemetery for cremated remains. They can also be stored privately in an urn, or scattered somewhere special. 

Cremated remains can also be turned into jewelry, fireworks, pressed vinyl records, bullets, and about a thousand other objects. In fact, this is easily the most creative of all disposition options.

Cremation can be a sticky subject, as it’s prohibited by many of the world’s religions. And, in recent years, cremation has also come under fire for its carbon footprint – the process releases a large volume of carbon into the atmosphere as smoke.

Alternative Solutions

If neither of these options sounds appealing, don’t despair. There’s plenty more out there!

For example, green cremation options, including aquamation (also known as alkaline hydrolysis), are rapidly gaining popularity because they’re affordable and earth-friendly. Depending on where you live, other alternatives like burial at sea, sky burial, and long-term body preservation using liquid nitrogen might also be available.

Just remember, funeral rites and final disposition often act as closure events for family and loved ones. So, it’s essential that you choose something appropriate for the important people in your life. And, no matter which of these options you choose, you can still offer a service or gathering for anyone who wants to say goodbye.

After the Funeral – Final Disposition

Now that you know a bit more about the new and less traditional options for final disposition, you might be feeling more confident in your final wishes. Just remember, leaving behind a will or written document with these preferences is the only way to ensure that those wishes are acted upon.

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