Cremation or traditional burial:
which to choose?

Modern society faces a difficult choice between ancient traditions and modern burial practices. Cremation is much cheaper than traditional burials. Savings are achieved through the use of simple ritual accessories, since all materials are subject to burning. The cost of cremation additionally includes the organization of the farewell process, transportation of the coffin to the crematorium and musical accompaniment in the crematorium hall.

The average cost of cremation itself can be from 19 to 45 thousand rubles, which is sometimes cheaper than a traditional burial. The minimum bill for cremation in Moscow is approximately 25 thousand rubles, in the regions - from 19 thousand rubles. For comparison, a traditional burial costs 30% more.

Additional economic advantages of cremation are related to simplified care of the burial site. Care of the columbarium cell requires only minimal effort and expense. Signs and flower decorations are optional. Maintenance and care of the grave can be significantly more expensive.

Practical aspects

Cremation is a method of burial by burning the body of a deceased person. Ashes from cremation can be stored for a long time, and many crematoriums offer free storage. Traditional burial requires a ceremony to be held in the days following death.

Transporting an urn with ashes is much easier and cheaper than transporting a coffin with a body over a long distance. This is especially relevant when it is necessary to deliver to another city or country. Transporting an urn in Russia and abroad is much cheaper.

Environmental benefits

Cremation is an environmentally friendly type of burial. Modern crematoriums are introducing technologies to reduce the impact on the environment - filtration systems and energy-efficient furnaces. Human cremation in Moscow is becoming more and more technologically advanced.

Modern technologies

Modern cremation is a high-tech process. New generation cremation furnaces are a computerized system with full automation. The process is fully controlled by the control system.

The cremation process takes place at a temperature of 800-1000 degrees Celsius. Mineralization lasts from 40 to 90 minutes depending on various factors. After cooling, the ashes are placed in a cremulator, where they are ground to a consistency of small granules using ceramic balls. Modern furnaces are equipped with combustion product control systems, which eliminates the appearance of smoke and odor. Electric magnets are used to sort metal objects before processing in a cremulator.

Columbaria and Alternative Burial Options

Types of columbariums

Columbaria are walls with multiple cells for urns with ashes. Each cell is closed with a slab with inscriptions and images or a door that is locked with a key. Usually, a cell holds two vessels, but modern designs can contain up to four urns.

There are 29 open and 3 closed columbaria in Moscow. Closed columbaria are located at the Donskoye, Nikolo-Arkhangelskoye and Vagankovskoye cemeteries. Open columbaria are walls in the open air.

Carousel columbaria have a rotating platform with cylinders and niches. This design allows for more urns to be placed in a limited area.

Advantages of columbarium burial

The main advantage of columbaria is their significantly lower cost compared to family plots. A columbarium does not require high costs for the manufacture and installation of monuments, fences or tombstones.

Columbaria are mounted on any surface without dismantling the existing landscaping. They serve as both a monument and a place to store the urn. Maintenance of a columbarium requires less effort and time.

The possibility of creating family burials becomes an important advantage. Considering the economic and practical advantages, columbaria allow to create a family burial with minimal costs.

Planning ahead

Drawing up the will of the deceased during his lifetime simplifies the decision-making of relatives. The declaration of will helps to avoid disagreements in the family and ensures the fulfillment of the wishes of the deceased.

Modern technologies allow organizing a video broadcast of the farewell process for relatives who cannot be present in person. This solves the problem of territorial remoteness and ensures participation in the farewell ceremony.