Burying Cremated Remains: Benefits, How to, and FAQ

Nothing can compare to the sorrow that is felt when losing a loved one, whether it’s a family member or a dear friend.  And yet, during this time of grieving, we are still required to make major decisions and organize arrangements.

With everything from notifying family and writing an obituary to making funeral preparations, it seems there is a never-ending list of tasks to conduct in a short period of time. One decision to make is whether to choose cremation or traditional burial.

This can be a simple or complicated choice based on your own feelings and your family member’s wishes. But if the choice is made to cremate, the next question is determining if burying cremated remains is a fitting choice.

While you may wish to scatter cremated remains in a location that is meaningful to you or your loved one who has passed away, it may not be the best decision over the long term.

There are more than a few reasons why you should bury ashes in a cemetery.

6 Benefits of Burying Cremated Remains

1. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

We’ve all seen movies depicting family members or friends scattering their loved one’s ashes in a lake, a forest, or another place that may have been special to the individual.

These moments can be touching and provide a sense of comfort. But as time moves on, we also know that nothing in this world is permanent.

Lakes can dry up and forests could be ravaged by anything from a forest fire to logging or deforestation.

Other open spaces that were once peaceful and calm could eventually be converted into a loud, bustling shopping center, concrete parking lot, or landfill.

The process of scattering cremated remains can also be unpredictable, which can compromise the impact of the event.

Wind can end up blowing the remains in a direction away from your designated spot. While in an even more unfortunate instance, they could end up blowing directly toward the people who are in attendance.

Purchasing a dedicated plot for cremated remains in a cemetery, on the other hand, provides a space devoted to the departed’s memory. Additionally, memorial services or religious rites can be conducted there to pay tribute to a beautifully lived life.

2. A Long-Term Resting Place

It is understandable for families to have a deep desire to keep their loved ones close, which is why many people bring their family members’ cremated remains home with them.

While memories can be made with the urn resting on a shelf or your fireplace mantel, the issues tend to arise once you are gone.

All too often, we hear horror stories of ashes being sold in garage sales and individuals not realizing what is inside until they arrive home.

Other instances occur as people pass on and the remains of their loved ones are sold as part of an estate or home purchase, leaving them to the new homeowner to decide what to do with them.

In most cases, these individuals will do something that isn’t in the best interest of your loved one such as leaving them somewhere with no meaning, or even throwing the cremated remains away.

It is much more conducive to protecting your family member or friend’s memory to provide a location in a cemetery such as an in-ground space with a cremation urn vault or in a niche tower, marking it with a bronze marker or headstone.

This will give you the ability to visit them on special occasions ranging from holidays and anniversaries to birthdays and any other occasion you simply want to feel close.

3. Leave a Legacy

Few things are as important to preserving a person’s memory than the legacy they leave behind and the way people remember them.

How a loved one chose to live their life represents their lasting presence. And as their friend or family member, it is up to you to protect that on their behalf once they are gone.

By burying cremated remains in a cemetery, you dedicate a permanent resting place for both their cremated remains and their memory.

Their name will be etched into the world’s history as someone who made a significant impact on at least one other person during their time on this earth.

This legacy will be passed on for generations to come as you share stories with your children, their children, and with others about their life passions and accomplishments.

Also, since cremated remains require much less space compared to a burial vault or full casket, lifelong companions, families, or even best friends could be buried right next to each other eternally.

When purchasing a final resting place in a cemetery, it’s important to ask about both immediate and future options, including whether the space can eventually be shared.

4. Emotional Healing

Visiting a dedicated spot within a cemetery can offer emotional healing and much-needed closure for those navigating the difficult journey of grief. The burial space provides a tangible location to mourn, remember, and memorialize the life of the departed in a serene setting.

As time unfolds and seasons change, recurrent visits can become a source of solace and comfort for those left behind.

For many families, a permanent final resting place also allows them to maintain a continued sense of connection with the deceased.

5. Symbolic Meaning

Burying cremated remains in a cemetery is symbolic of honor and respect.

This practice signifies that the departed still holds a special place in the physical world, not just in the hearts of their family and friends.

In a sense, burying a loved one in a cemetery is a symbolic act that bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual realms.

It is an act of love that stands as a testament to the bond shared and the importance of the individual’s life.

6. Sense of Community

Cemeteries can serve as a healthy platform where multiple generations come together to remember and pay tribute to their ancestors.

When families choose to inter cremated remains in a cemetery, they not only pay tribute to their loved ones who have passed away but also become part of a larger, interconnected community committed to preserving the legacies of those who came before them.

This caring and compassionate choice fosters a sense of belonging as relatives recognize their place within a lineage that extends far into the past. It is with this enduring connection that memories and stories are passed down through the ages.

Burying Cremated Remains in a Cemetery

If you are interested in learning more about the process of burying cremated remains in a cemetery, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps involved in the process.

Step 1: Select a Burial Space

Your first step is to get in touch with your chosen cemetery to check for the availability of burial spaces. If you’ve recently experienced a loss and haven’t already purchased a plot, the funeral home can assist you in making this initial contact. This is also a good time to inquire about the cemetery’s rules and regulations.

Remember, the cemetery you choose will also affect the cost. Learn more about how much it costs to bury cremated ashes.

Step 2: Choose an Urn and Urn Vault

Next, you will need to select an urn suitable for burial to house the cremated remains. Additionally, you’ll likely need to purchase an urn vault to safeguard the urn and support the weight of the earth and heavy cemetery equipment.

Step 3: Complete Necessary Paperwork

To gain permission for the burial, the cemetery will ensure the proper recording of the inurnment, and obtain the necessary permits. All required paperwork must be completed and signed ahead of time.

Step 4: Schedule the Burial

Coordinate with the cemetery to set a date and time for the burial. Keep in mind that they may have designated hours for interments, and weekend burials could involve an additional fee.

Step 5: Plan the Commemorative Service

It will then be time to decide whether you’d like to hold a commemorative service at the graveside. This can be a public gathering or a more intimate, private ceremony. It should be noted that some families choose not to have a service.

Step 6: Prepare the Gravesite

Either the day of the service or the day before, the cemetery staff will prepare the gravesite so that it’s in suitable condition for the ceremony. If a service is scheduled, a tent and chairs for attendees will also be set up at the burial site.

Step 7: Conduct the Burial

Following the service, the cremated remains will be buried. Cemetery personnel will prepare the gravesite by excavating a hole to accommodate the urn vault and lower it into ground. The surrounding earth is then returned to the grave, and any landscaping is completed. While cemetery staff typically handle this aspect, there are times when families participate.

Step 8: Create a Lasting Memorial

To memorialize your loved one, consider purchasing a personalized grave marker from either the cemetery itself or a reputable monument company. Adhering to the cemetery’s guidelines regarding the type of markers permitted will ensure a lasting and meaningful tribute.

Step 9: Care for the Gravesite

It is always a good idea to inquire about the cemetery’s maintenance policies. Some cemeteries provide comprehensive maintenance services, while others expect families to take on certain responsibilities, like trimming around the marker and removing weeds.

If the cemetery offers a perpetual care fund, you may want to consider it to ensure the burial space is maintained indefinitely.

Step 10: Reflect and Remember

Be sure to take time for yourself and your family to reflect and remember your loved one. This can be done by visiting the gravesite regularly, creating a memorial at home, or through other personal tributes that are meaningful to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burying Cremated Remains

Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about burying cremated remains.

What is it called when you bury cremated remains?

The process of burying cremated remains is called inurnment. This term is fitting whether the ashes are placed in a columbarium, buried in a cemetery, or laid to rest in another location. Inurnment is also sometimes referred to as an ash burial.

How long after cremation can ashes be buried?

There is no set timeframe for when ashes must be buried after cremation. Most families choose to bury the ashes right away, while others wait weeks or even months—often timing the burial to coincide with a memorial service or inurnment ceremony when loved ones can gather.

How deep must cremated remains be buried?

The required depth for burying cremated remains depends on the location’s regulations and the type of container or urn that is used. The most common practice is a depth of at least 3 feet, but some can be buried as shallow as 12 to 18 inches.

Can cremated remains be buried in an existing grave?

Yes, cremated remains can often be buried in an existing grave. This depends on the cemetery’s policy, but many allow it with the plot owner’s consent. A double-depth plot is typically required to ensure the original casket or urn is buried deep enough to accommodate an additional burial.

Can you bury cremated remains on private property?

It is possible to bury cremated remains on private property in some areas. While most states don’t have laws prohibiting the practice, it remains uncommon, and gaining permission can be a lengthy process requiring consent from the property owner, zoning approval, and appropriate documentation or permits.

Want More Information About Burying Cremated Remains?

If you need more details or guidance on burying cremated remains, reach out to your chosen cemetery or funeral home. They will provide you with the necessary information and support to make this important decision a seamless and meaningful one.

And remember, the choice to honor your loved one is one of the best options you have available to you.

Learn more about why an urn vault is a great choice and the additional benefits they provide. If you’d like more information about how Trigard can assist you with this process, please contact us today for details.