The Difference Between Burial and Interment

When planning end-of-life arrangements, people often use the terms burial and interment interchangeably. While they are related, there are important distinctions between the two. Understanding the difference between burial and interment can help families make more informed decisions when choosing final arrangements for a loved one.

What Is Burial?

Burial refers specifically to placing a deceased person's body into the ground. This is a physical act where the body is typically enclosed in a casket and lowered into a grave. Burial is one of the most traditional forms of final disposition and is practiced in various religions and cultures worldwide.

Key Characteristics of Burial:

• Involves a casket or coffin

• Typically takes place in a cemetery or burial ground

• May include a headstone or grave marker

• Often accompanied by a funeral or graveside service

Burial is often chosen for religious, cultural, or personal reasons. It may also be seen as a more traditional or respectful way to honor the deceased.

What Is Interment?

Interment is a broader term that refers to placing remains in a final resting place, which can be in the ground, a crypt, a mausoleum, or even an urn niche for cremated remains. In essence, interment is the official act of laying the deceased to rest, regardless of the method used.

Key Characteristics of Interment:

• Can involve burial in a grave or placement in a mausoleum or columbarium

• Applies to both casketed and cremated remains

• Often includes a formal or ceremonial element

• Focuses more on the final placement rather than the method

This term is often used in legal or official contexts, such as in cemetery paperwork or funeral home contracts.

Burial vs. Interment: What’s the Difference?

While burial and interment are connected, the primary difference lies in scope and usage:

In simple terms, burial is one form of interment, but not all interments are burials. For example, placing an urn in a columbarium is an interment, not a burial.

Types of Interment

Understanding the broader category of interment helps clarify your options:

Traditional Ground Burial

This is the most common type of interment. It includes placing a body in a casket and burying it in a plot of land.

Cremation Interment

When someone is cremated, their ashes (cremains) can be interred in a cemetery plot, urn garden, or columbarium niche.

Above-Ground Interment

This includes placing remains in mausoleums (for bodies) or columbariums (for urns). These options are often selected for space-saving or aesthetic reasons.

Considerations When Choosing Burial or Interment

When planning a final resting place, here are some factors to consider:

Religious and Cultural Beliefs

Some faiths have specific guidelines for burial and interment. For example, certain religions prefer in-ground burials, while others may allow cremation followed by interment.

Budget

Ground burial can be more expensive due to the cost of the plot, casket, and headstone. Interment of ashes, particularly in an urn garden, may be a more cost-effective option.

Location and Accessibility

Consider the proximity of the cemetery or mausoleum to loved ones who may visit. This can influence the type of interment chosen.

Environmental Impact

Eco-friendly burials are becoming more popular. These may involve biodegradable caskets or urns and minimal environmental disruption.

Burial and Interment in Legal Terms

In legal documents, "interment rights" refer to the permission to place remains in a specific location, such as a grave plot or mausoleum crypt. When purchasing a burial plot, you're actually buying the interment rights—not the land itself. It’s important to understand these distinctions when dealing with funeral homes and cemeteries.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between burial and interment allows you to make more informed choices during a difficult time. While burial refers specifically to placing a body in the ground, interment covers a broader range of final placements, including cremated remains and above-ground options.

Choosing the right method depends on your family's beliefs, preferences, and budget. Whether you opt for a traditional burial or another form of interment, the most important thing is to honor your loved one's wishes and legacy.

FAQs

Is burial the same as interment?

No, burial is one type of interment. Interment refers to placing remains in their final resting place, which can include a grave, mausoleum, or urn niche. Burial specifically involves placing the body in the ground.

Can cremated remains be interred?

Yes, cremated remains can be interred in various places such as burial plots, columbariums, urn gardens, or family mausoleums.

What is the legal meaning of interment?

Legally, interment refers to the final disposition of human remains, whether by burial or placement in a tomb, mausoleum, or columbarium. It often involves acquiring interment rights from a cemetery.