For many, it provides a sense of comfort and closure, especially when all the necessary elements come together to create a meaningful and lasting tribute. 

Understanding what is involved and planning a traditional burial has several aspects to consider – finding a funeral home, understanding laws, and customs, and choosing details for the burial itself are a few of them.

By taking the time to research and plan, you can honor your loved one with a meaningful ceremony to celebrate their life.

What is a Traditional Burial – The Process of Organizing One

A traditional burial service typically involves a visitation period, a memorial service, and a graveside service.

• Visitation period — Visitation occurs prior to the memorial service and allows family and friends to pay their respects and offer condolences
• Memorial service —During the memorial service, a clergy member may give a eulogy, and readings are often shared. The service usually concludes with a procession to the graveside service and the burial of the deceased
• Graveside service — People traditionally chose to have a burial service in order to mark the passing of a loved one and to honor their memory. It is extensive and thorough, providing structure to grieving and closure. It is also a way for friends and family to come together to share memories and offer support. Additionally, a traditional burial service allows family and friends to take part in the physical process of laying the deceased to rest

A traditional funeral is usually more expensive than a direct burial.

However, many see the cost as worthwhile to a final tribute fitting and reflective of their loved one.

What is a direct burial? Learn more here.

Legal Requirements

In the United States, the legal requirements around burial vary from state to state. Generally, the paperwork needed to start the funeral procedures in the US includes:

• Death certificate
• Burial permit
• Cremation authorization form (if applicable)
• The funeral home or cemetery typically handles the paperwork.

In the UK, a burial must be carried out in a consecrated churchyard, or a cemetery that has been approved by the local authority, or in accordance with the wishes of the deceased (with the consent of the local authority). The burial must also be registered with the local authority and a burial certificate provided.

The cost of a burial service can range from a few thousand dollars (or pounds) to tens of thousands, depending on the city and region. Basic services usually include a gravesite, casket, and an interment fee.

Finding the Right Funeral Home

When selecting a funeral home for a loved one who has not specified one, it is important to consider the services you want to be included in the funeral.

It is also important to choose the cemetery, and the funeral home can help you with this. Make a list of services that you would like to be included.

The main things to consider are:

• Embalming
• Visitation
• Wake
• Time before the body is buried

Most funeral homes will follow the standard UK or US funeral traditions, selecting the right one requires research and preparation. Once you have narrowed down your choices, take the time to:

• Visit the funeral homes to get a feel for the environment and staff.
• Ask questions and make sure the funeral home offers the services you need and is within your budget. 
• Be aware of any hidden costs such as administrative fees, or any additional costs for extra services, and make sure the funeral home is transparent about its pricing.

Choosing the Casket

When considering how to choose a casket, there are a few key things to consider.

Material

• Wood —  Usually crafted from mahogany, cherry, oak, maple, or walnut, wooden caskets are durable and long-lasting with a natural look and feel
• Metal — Typically made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, bronze, or copper. Metal caskets seal the body better than other materials, offering better protection from the elements
• Wicker — An increasingly popular option for green and eco-friendly burials, such coffins are made from natural materials such as willow or bamboo

Price breakdown

• Wood — Costs vary significantly depending on the type of wood used, but the average cost of a wooden casket in the USA is around $3,000 to $5,000 and in the UK is around £1,000 to £2,500
• Metal casket — Around $3,000 to $5,500 in the US and £2,000 to £3,000 in the UK. Compared to wooden caskets, the price is largely the same, so it comes down to personal preference and attitude toward eternity
• Wicker casket — Average cost in the USA is around $1,500 to $2,500 and £800 to £1,500 in the UK

Where to Purchase

It is also important to note that a funeral casket does not have to be purchased from the burial home. In many cases, it is possible to purchase a casket from another source, such as a casket store or online which may be much more affordable.  

Budget

Finally, it is important to consider the budget when selecting a funeral casket. Caskets can range in price from very affordable to very expensive even within the same type of material.

Many caskets come with additional features such as interior liners, velvet-lined interiors, and personalized engravings. These additions can increase the cost of the casket.

Make sure to discuss such details with the funeral home or the coffin makers.

Preparing the Body

Preparing the body for a traditional funeral usually requires washing and dressing the body in a proper funeral outfit.

Cleaning of the Body

The body is usually cleaned and disinfected by a mortician or the Funeral Director to prevent the spread of infection.  This is done by washing the body gently with soap and warm water. 

Embalming

Some families opt for embalming as an additional service in order to preserve the body for an open casket viewing. Embalming involves draining and replacing the blood with a preservative solution, as well as treating the deceased’s skin with makeup.  

Embalming is an additional service that a funeral home will charge extra for (usually £450 in the UK and $500-700 in the US).

Clothing and Aesthetic Appearance

The family typically selects an outfit for the deceased to wear at their funeral or wake. For the vigil for death, it can be a special outfit or something of sentimental value.

The eyes, ears, nose, and mouth of the deceased are usually closed to give a more natural appearance during an open casket viewing. 

Most funeral homes also offer extra grooming services such as arranging and styling hair, applying makeup, and shaving the deceased. 

Wake or Vigil Service

A wake is an important and meaningful ritual for many cultures. It serves as a way to honor the life of a loved one and to provide comfort to the bereaved.

Traditionally held after burial, it is a time for family and friends to gather and to share memories and stories about the deceased.

The gathering of people is also a sign of respect and a reminder that life is precious.

A wake, or what is a vigil for death, can be both a solemn occasion and a celebration of life, and it serves as an important step in the grieving process.

Cost of a Traditional Burial

• In the US the cost of a traditional funeral varies between states but starts at around $6,000. The latest statistics show that the US average funeral costs in 2023 are over $11,000.

• In the UK the average funeral cost in 2024 was £4,141.

Conclusion

This type of burial involves a traditional funeral service, graveyard or cremation services, and a graveside or cremation ceremony. 

It is a thorough way of saying goodbye to a loved one. They can provide closure and help to provide comfort and peace to those who are grieving.

Planning a burial in advance helps to ensure that the family has time to make all the necessary arrangements and to grieve for their loved one.

It also helps to ensure that the deceased’s passing is marked with a meaningful and personal ceremony that honors their life.

FAQ’s

Is cremation an alternative to traditional burial?

Yes, cremation is an alternative to traditional burial. It is a process where the body is reduced to ashes and the remains can be placed in an urn or scattered in a chosen location instead of buried.

Is a funeral vault necessary?

A funeral vault is not a requirement but it may be requested by the cemetery or chosen by the family. It is an outer burial container that is designed to protect the casket and remains from moisture, shifting soil, and other elements.

What are the alternatives to a traditional funeral?

The alternatives to a traditional funeral include memorial services, direct burials and cremation, green funerals, home funerals, natural burials, and water burials. Each of these options offers families the chance to honor their loved one in a unique way that is meaningful to them.