End-of-life options: A comparison guide

Burial best fits families wanting a traditional viewing or funeral service. The body is typically embalmed for preservation, placed in a casket, and then a cemetery plot. A newer and less traditional approach is Green Burials, an eco-friendly biodegradable casket option, that is generally less expensive.

‍Benefits

• ‍‍May fulfill a cultural or familial tradition
• Provides a final resting place for visiting
• Can provide a sense of closure or final goodbye

Costs (determined by your local provider)

• $2,000 on average, for a casket
• $9,000-$10,000 on average, for a funeral service, burial, plot, and marker

Costs usually vary based on location, the casket choice, plot, service, transportation, administrative and permitting fees.

Remains

• Buried

Cremation has grown to be the most common end-of-life choice, offering a variety of options for final disposition. The body is reduced to fine particles known as cremated remains. Remains are placed in an urn, interred in a tomb or mausoleum, or scattered over a favorite place.

If direct cremation is chosen, using a cremation service versus a traditional funeral home can help to reduce costs.

‍Benefits

• May reduce financial burden on the surviving family
• Still allows for a funeral and viewing
• May fulfill a cultural tradition
• Provides a place for visiting or the sharing of cremated remains among loved ones

Costs (determined by your local provider)

• Typically $1,100 - $3,700

The cost can vary greatly depending on the provider and the packages selected. The family can choose from several service options which could impact the final cost.

Remains

• Returned to family in 1-3 weeks
• Expedited service may be requested, typically for an additional fee

An organ is gifted from one person to a live transplant recipient, often saving a life. The organ or organs are generally procured at the hospital at the time of passing. Once organ donation is complete, there may be an option for body donation to science versus traditional burial or cremation.

If the wish is to do both organ donation and body donation to science, it is important to sign up for both individually and discuss the wish to donate to both organizations with any loved ones. Compare the two:

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‍Benefits

• ‍‍Donor and their loved ones can potentially save the life of another
• There may be the option to donate to science as well (once organ transplant is complete)

Costs

• No cost to donate organs

Note: There may be costs associated with transportation and final disposition, depending on the option loved ones choose.

Remains

• Dependent on the final disposition chosen, i.e. cremation, burial, or other.

The body is gifted to a willed body program at a medical school or teaching hospital, allowing medical students to train before extending care to the public as licensed professionals. The body is embalmed and cremated after 1-3 years. Donations to universities can be declined at the time of passing, so seeking alternate arrangements as a backup plan is recommended.

Benefits

• Knowing the donation is helping to train existing and future healthcare providers, serving future generations
• Tissue received will typically remain at the university to serve educational, clinical, and research pursuits
• May reduce financial burden on the surviving family

Costs

• $0 - $1,000

Many are no cost, but several charge for transportation to the university or have a donation processing fee.

Remains

• Cremated remains may not be available for return
• They may be returned after 1-3 years in the program