Cremation vs. Burial
Es posible que no tenga que comprometer su fe y sus preferencias
In the Latino culture, death is seen as an extension of and a natural part of life, which helps to comfort the grieving. The Hispanic culture is vibrant and colorful, with traditions that date back centuries and include many different countries with their own distinctive ways of saying goodbye. No need to look further than to the colorful celebrations of El Día de Los Muertos to understand that Mexicans view death in a unique and special way with many expressions that lighten the burden of grieving, such as "No estoy muerto, simplemente estoy dormido."
Catholicism is also deep-rooted in the Hispanic culture, so much so that even non-religious Hispanics will often incorporate Catholic traditions in their funeral services. And while many Catholics still prefer full-bodied burial, cremation is becoming an increasingly common choice. More Latino families and individuals are considering cremation as an alternative for remembrance and memorialization, but still want to include the traditional aspects of traditional funeral services.
The decision whether to cremate or bury a loved one will no doubt involve the entire family, especially when religion, customs and costs are involved. Reaching out to a funeral director is an incredibly helpful way to learn more about your funeral arrangement options. We've discussed the differences between cremation and burial below, to help you make an informed choice when the time comes.
¿Puedo tener un servicio funerario con cremación?
Choosing cremation doesn't mean you can't have a funeral, too. You can plan a traditional funeral and memorial services whether your loved one is cremated or buried. A funeral service may occur after cremation, including a graveside service if you choose to bury your loved one's ashes.
Another option is to have a viewing of the body and funeral service followed by cremation, or an informal reception followed by cremation. A funeral director at Latina will guide you through all your options and help you plan the services that are best for your loved one and your family.
¿La cremación es más barata?
Many people believe that cremation is the least expensive option, and while that may be true for the actual cremation service itself, there is still much more to consider. Additional items that are required for cremation include the urn, cremation casket or container, license fees, and funeral services. Incorporating Latino traditions and culture into the funeral often includes large families, food, beverages, flowers and even mariachis. The final costs will ultimately depend on how simple or elaborate the funeral and memorial arrangements you select.
La cremación le da más tiempo para planificar.
Cremation immediately following the death gives the family all the time they need to make the many decisions that come with making final arrangements. Traditional burial preparations need to be made sooner after a loved one passes, depending on whether there will be a viewing or rosary. In either case, it's important to consider where you will want the final resting place of the deceased to be.
¿Qué dice la Iglesia?
For many decades, the Catholic church did not allow its followers to practice cremation. However, since 2016, the Vatican has reversed that rule, and now allows families to cremate their loved ones. The Catholic Church does not allow for the scattering of ashes, nor for a family to hold onto the ashes or place them in mementos such as jewelry. The Vatican instructs its congregation to bury cremated remains in a grave or niche on church grounds or in a cemetery.
Latina está aquí para ayudar.
Planning a funeral or memorial service is never an easy task, made so much more difficult when a family is grieving. Latina Funerals and Cremations has served the Latino families of Denver for 25 years, helping them navigate the hardships of loss and funeral planning. Our compassionate staff will listen, explain your options in more detail and walk you through the process step by step, while helping you make the right choice for you and your family.
If you'd like to learn more about cremation or burial, or have an immediate need, call us at 1-303-996-0701.
Go en paz.
As members of Denver’s Hispanic communities, we feel a deep responsibility to help its families through some of their most difficult days. We are here for you and your loved ones, and our staff is available to answer any questions you may have.
Llámanos al (303) 996-0701.
