Cremation or burial: how to choose the right option

Understanding the two funeral options

Before making a choice, it is essential to understand precisely what these two methods entail. The difference between cremation and burial goes well beyond the technical process: it touches on traditions, beliefs and the practical needs of each family.

Each of these funeral options responds to different expectations and forms part of a personal approach that deserves to be fully understood before making a decision.

What is cremation?

Cremation is a process that consists of reducing the deceased's body to ashes by exposure to intense heat in a crematorium. The operation generally lasts between 90 minutes and 3 hours, depending on several factors.

Once the cremation has been carried out, the ashes are collected and returned to the family in a cremation urn. The relatives then have several possibilities:

• Preservation in an urn: at home or in a columbarium (edifice designed to house urns)

• Scattering of ashes: in a garden of remembrance, in nature (according to cantonal regulations) or at sea

• Burial of the urn: in a plot or family vault

• Division of ashes: amongst several family members (practice accepted in Switzerland)

The urns are available in a wide variety of materials and styles, from simple biodegradable containers to personalised artistic creations, with prices varying from CHF 100 to more than CHF 1,000.

What is burial?

Burial refers to the traditional interment of the body in a coffin, within a cemetery. This ancestral practice consists of placing the deceased in an earth grave.

In Switzerland, several types of graves exist:

• Individual plot: space reserved for one person, generally for a duration of 20 to 30 years depending on the canton

• Family plot: allows several members of the same family to be accommodated

• Family vault: underground masonry construction that can accommodate several stacked coffins

• Earth grave: the simplest form of burial

The coffins vary considerably in terms of materials (solid wood, chipboard, biodegradable cardboard) and finishes, directly influencing the final cost. The duration of plots is limited in Switzerland and must be renewed periodically, subject to additional fees.

A headstone or funeral monument is generally installed on the grave, allowing the deceased to be identified and offering a physical place of contemplation for loved ones.

Cost comparison: cremation vs burial in Switzerland

The financial aspect often constitutes a determining criterion in the funeral choice. The price differences between cremation and burial are significant and merit detailed analysis to anticipate the necessary budget.

It is important to note that costs vary considerably from one canton to another in Switzerland, with some communes covering part of the costs for their residents. The prices indicated below represent national averages.

Cost of cremation in Switzerland

Cremation is generally the most economical option. Here is the breakdown of the main expense items for how much cremation costs in Switzerland:

• Crematorium fees: CHF 500 to 1,500 depending on the canton and establishment

• Cremation urn: CHF 100 to 1,000+ depending on the material and personalisation

• Columbarium: CHF 500 to 3,000 for a plot of 10 to 20 years

• Ceremony: CHF 500 to 2,000 depending on the location and duration

• Funeral director services: CHF 800 to 2,500 (transport, formalities, coordination)

The total cost of cremation is generally between CHF 2,000 and 6,000, depending on the choices made and the canton. Some Swiss communes offer free crematorium services for their residents, thus considerably reducing the bill.

The scattering of ashes in a communal garden of remembrance is often free or very inexpensive, which can further reduce costs. Conversely, a designer urn or a space in a prestigious columbarium will increase the budget.

Cost of burial in Switzerland

The burial in Switzerland represents a more substantial investment. Here are the main costs to anticipate:

• Coffin: CHF 800 to 5,000+ depending on the wood, finishes and options (padding, handles, etc.)

• Funeral plot: CHF 1,000 to 10,000 depending on the duration (20-30 years), type and canton

• Grave digging: CHF 500 to 1,500

• Headstone: CHF 2,000 to 8,000+ depending on the material, size and engraving

• Ceremony: CHF 500 to 2,000

• Funeral director services: CHF 1,500 to 4,000 (transport, placing in coffin, coordination)

• Annual maintenance: CHF 200 to 500 per year (flowers, cleaning)

The total cost of burial generally varies between CHF 5,000 and 15,000, or even more for high-end services. To these initial costs are added the recurring costs of maintaining the grave.

It is also necessary to plan for the renewal of the plot at its expiry, which represents a long-term financial commitment for the family.

Cost comparison table

This table clearly illustrates that cremation generally represents a more economical solution, both in the short and long term. However, the choice should not rest solely on financial considerations.

Essential criteria for making your choice

Beyond financial aspects, several personal, cultural and practical factors influence the decision. How to choose a grave that truly corresponds to the values and needs of your family?

This section explores the essential dimensions to consider in order to make a thoughtful funeral choice that respects all the important aspects for you and your loved ones.

Religious and cultural convictions

The religious rites often play a determining role in the choice between cremation and burial. Here are the positions of the main religions present in Switzerland:

• Catholicism: Cremation has been authorised since 1963, provided that the ashes are treated with respect and kept in a sacred place (no scattering in nature or keeping at home according to official doctrine)

• Protestantism: Generally open to both options, leaving freedom of choice to the faithful

• Islam: Burial is strongly favoured, cremation being generally considered contrary to Quranic teachings

• Judaism: Traditional burial is the norm, cremation being forbidden in Orthodox Judaism

• Buddhism and Hinduism: Cremation is traditionally practised and encouraged

It is important to note that religious positions have evolved over time and that variations exist within each denomination. In case of doubt, it is recommended to consult a religious representative of your community.

Family cultural traditions can also weigh in the balance, with some families having had a family vault for several generations.

The wishes of the deceased

Respecting the wishes expressed by the deceased during their lifetime constitutes a fundamental criterion and should, as far as possible, take precedence over other considerations.

These wishes may have been expressed in different ways:

• Written funeral arrangements: official document detailing wishes for the funeral

• Will: may contain indications about the type of funeral desired

• Family conversations: informal discussions with loved ones

• Funeral planning contract: prior arrangement with a funeral director

If the deceased has not left clear instructions, it may be useful to reflect on their values, beliefs and lifestyle to determine what would have corresponded to their wishes.

Practical advice: To avoid your loved ones finding themselves in this difficult situation, it is recommended to document your own funeral wishes and discuss them openly with your family.

Ecological impact

For families sensitive to environmental issues, the ecological choice between cremation and burial deserves particular attention. Each option presents different impacts on the environment.

Impact of cremation:

• CO2 emissions: approximately 160 kg per cremation

• Significant energy consumption (natural gas or electricity)

• Mercury emissions (dental fillings) and other pollutants

• No long-term land use

Impact of burial:

• Sustainable land use

• Embalming chemicals (formaldehyde) that can contaminate soils

• Coffins in treated or varnished wood that are not biodegradable

• Methane production during decomposition

• Cemetery maintenance (water, pesticides, fertilisers)

Ecological alternatives are emerging for both options:

• Aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis): process using water and potash, less energy-intensive than traditional cremation

• Biodegradable coffins: in cardboard, wicker or untreated wood

• Natural burial: without embalming, in forest cemeteries

• Humusation: transformation of the body into compost (not yet authorised in Switzerland)

No option is perfectly neutral for the environment, but choices can be made to minimise the ecological footprint of funerals.

Practical aspect and mobility

The practical dimension should not be neglected, particularly in our modern society where families are often geographically dispersed.

Practical advantages of cremation:

• Possibility of moving the urn in case of relocation

• Creation of several memorial sites (division of ashes)

• Flexibility to organise the ceremony (no strict time constraint)

• No regular physical maintenance necessary

• Option of scattering in a significant place for the deceased

Practical advantages of burial:

• Permanent and identifiable place of contemplation

• Anchoring in a territory, a commune, a family history

• Possibility of family grouping in a vault

• Ritual of visiting and maintenance that can be soothing

For families whose members live in different countries or continents, cremation offers appreciable flexibility. Conversely, for families deeply rooted in a region, maintaining a family grave can hold strong symbolic importance.

The need for contemplation

The emotional dimension and the need for contemplation vary considerably from one person to another. Some find comfort in regularly visiting a grave, whilst others prefer to carry the memory of their loved one in their heart without a specific physical place.

Contemplation with burial:

• Concrete physical place to contemplate, lay flowers, speak to the deceased

• Regular visiting ritual that structures grief

• Shared space where family members can meet

• Tangible marker of the deceased's existence and history

Contemplation with cremation:

• Flexibility in creating memorial spaces (columbarium, garden of remembrance, scattering site)

• Possibility of keeping the urn at home for daily proximity

• Freedom to contemplate in multiple places with particular significance

• Creation of personalised rituals (progressive scattering in different places)

It is essential to recognise that each family member may have different needs. Some will need a physical place to grieve, whilst others will find comfort elsewhere. An open discussion allows these needs to be identified and, if possible, a solution to be found that suits everyone.

In some cases, compromises are possible: for example, opting for cremation but burying the urn in a plot, thus offering a fixed place of contemplation whilst benefiting from the practical and financial advantages of cremation.

Advantages and disadvantages of each option

To facilitate your decision, here is a structured summary of the strengths and limitations of each method. This overview will allow you to quickly weigh the essential elements according to your personal priorities.

Advantages and disadvantages of cremation

✓ Advantages:

• Significantly lower cost: saving of CHF 3,000 to 9,000 compared to burial

• Maximum flexibility: possible relocation, multiple options for ashes

• Space saving: minimal land footprint, solution to cemetery saturation

• No regular maintenance: no obligation to visit or physical maintenance

• Possibility of scattering: in symbolic or significant places

• Division of ashes: allows several family members to keep a portion

• Administrative simplicity: fewer long-term constraints

✗ Disadvantages:

• Total irreversibility: no going back after cremation

• Religious restrictions: incompatible with certain beliefs (Islam, Orthodox Judaism)

• Mandatory legal timeframe: minimum 48 hours in Switzerland before cremation

• Absence of fixed place: can complicate contemplation for some (depending on the choice made with the ashes)

• Emotional impact: some people feel discomfort with the idea of cremation

• Carbon footprint: CO2 and pollutant emissions during the process

Advantages and disadvantages of burial

✓ Advantages:

• Permanent place of contemplation: identified physical space to contemplate

• Broad religious compliance: accepted by almost all religions

• Family tradition: possibility of joining an existing family vault

• Maintenance ritual: for some, a source of comfort and connection

• Historical marker: tangible and lasting trace of the deceased's existence

• Family grouping: possibility of bringing together several generations

• Natural process: organic decomposition without technical intervention

✗ Disadvantages:

• High cost: significant initial investment and recurring maintenance costs

• Necessary maintenance: moral and sometimes contractual obligation to maintain the grave

• Geographical limitation: fixed location that can become difficult to access in case of relocation

• Limited plot duration: need for periodic renewal (additional cost)

• Cemetery saturation: limited availability in some urban areas

• Environmental impact: use of space, chemicals, resources for maintenance

• Long-term commitment: responsibility for future generations

Administrative procedures in Switzerland

Whatever option is chosen, legal formalities must be completed. Understanding these procedures in advance allows better organisation at an already difficult time.

Procedures vary slightly according to Swiss cantons, but generally follow the same broad lines. For complete support in the first hours following a death, consult our detailed guide on the first steps after a death in Switzerland.

Procedures for cremation

Cremation in Switzerland is governed by strict rules to guarantee respect for the deceased and the safety of the process:

1. Mandatory legal timeframe

A minimum timeframe of 48 hours must be observed between death and cremation. This timeframe allows verification that no medical or judicial investigation is necessary.

2. Specific medical certificate

A doctor must issue a certificate attesting that the death presents no suspicious character and that no medical contraindication opposes cremation.

3. Cremation authorisation

Issued by the competent communal or cantonal authority after verification of documents.

4. Choice of crematorium

Selection of the establishment (several crematoria exist in Switzerland, with variable rates).

5. Decision on the destination of ashes

It is necessary to determine in advance what will be done with the ashes: preservation in columbarium, scattering, burial of urn, private keeping.

Role of funeral directors:

The funeral directors can take charge of all these administrative procedures, considerably facilitating the process for the family. They also ensure the transport of the deceased, the supply of the cremation coffin and coordination with the crematorium.

Procedures for burial

Burial also requires several administrative formalities:

1. Declaration of death

To be made to the civil registrar of the commune within two working days following the death.

2. Death certificate

Issued by a doctor, this document is essential for all subsequent procedures.

3. Burial authorisation

Issued by the competent communal authority, it also sets the burial timeframes (generally between 2 and 6 days after death).

4. Choice of cemetery and plot

Selection of location and type of plot (individual, family, duration). Rates and availability vary according to communes.

5. Organisation of ceremony

Coordination with place of worship if desired, choice of time with the cemetery.

Role of funeral directors:

As with cremation, using professional funeral directors greatly simplifies these procedures. They take care of administrative formalities, supply of coffin, transport, placing in coffin, and coordinate the entire organisation with the cemetery and other parties involved.

As timeframes are more constrained for burial, it is recommended to contact a professional quickly to avoid any additional stress.

How to approach this decision as a family

Making a decision concerning the funeral of a loved one is rarely a solitary process. The extended family, close friends, and sometimes even the community may have their say or specific expectations.

Here is advice to facilitate this delicate discussion and reach a decision that respects both the deceased and everyone's needs.

Organising a family discussion

Open and respectful communication is essential to avoid conflicts and subsequent regrets:

Choosing the right moment

Ideally, these discussions should take place before death, in a serene context. If this is not possible, take the necessary time after death to bring together the people concerned, without excessive haste.

Creating a listening space

Each family member must be able to express their point of view, emotions and needs without judgement. Some will have strong convictions, others will be undecided.

Listing important criteria

Establish together a list of factors to consider: available budget, religious convictions, known wishes of the deceased, contemplation needs, practical constraints, etc.

Documenting the decision

Once the choice is made, note it in writing with the reasons that motivated this decision. This can help clarify things for everyone and avoid subsequent questioning.

Respecting emotions

Grief affects everyone differently. Some will need more time to accept the decision. Patience and empathy are essential.

Managing disagreements

It is not uncommon for differences of opinion to emerge within a family faced with this important choice. Here are some strategies to find common ground:

Prioritising the wishes of the deceased

If the deceased expressed clear wishes, these should take precedence over the personal preferences of survivors. This can help defuse conflicts by reminding that the decision must above all honour the departed person.

Considering hybrid solutions

Some compromises are possible. For example:

• Opting for cremation but organising a traditional ceremony in the presence of the coffin before cremation

• Choosing cremation and burying the urn in a plot, thus creating a fixed place of contemplation

• Dividing the ashes to satisfy different needs (part in columbarium, part scattered)

Calling on a mediator

If tensions are too strong, a professional funeral adviser can play the role of neutral third party to facilitate discussion. Some funeral directors offer this support service.

Accepting differences

Sometimes, it is simply necessary to recognise that everyone experiences their grief differently and that the decision made will not fully satisfy everyone. The important thing is that it is made with respect and kindness.

Being accompanied by professionals

Faced with the emotional and administrative complexity of this period, support from funeral professionals can prove valuable.

The role of funeral directors

Beyond the material organisation of funerals, funeral directors generally offer:

• Objective advice on the different options available

• Information on actual costs and possibilities of adapting to the budget

• Expertise on legal and administrative aspects

• Emotional support and listening at a difficult time

• Personalised solutions adapted to the specific needs of each family

Asking all your questions

Do not hesitate to question professionals about all aspects that concern you, even those that may seem trivial. There is no inappropriate question when it comes to making such an important decision.

Obtaining several quotes

It is recommended to consult several establishments to compare services and rates. Prices can vary significantly from one provider to another for similar services.

Finding a trustworthy professional

To help you identify reliable funeral directors in your region in Switzerland, Wolky provides you with a directory of qualified professionals who can support you with empathy and professionalism during this ordeal.