Ground burial, also known as interment or inhumation, is the traditional practice of placing human remains into the earth. This method remains the most common final disposition globally and can accommodate both whole-body caskets and cremated remains (cremains).
Core Components of Ground Burial
A standard ground burial typically involves several key elements:
- The Plot: The specific plot or space purchased within a cemetery.
- The Container: Traditionally a casket for whole bodies or an urn for cremains.
- Burial Vault or Liner: Many modern cemeteries require a reinforced concrete or plastic outer container to prevent the ground from sinking as the casket settles.
- Grave Marker: A headstone (upright monument) or flat marker used for identification and memorialization.
Common Burial Plot Types
- Single Plot: Designed for the burial of one individual.
- Companion Plots: Two plots side-by-side, often for married couples.
- Double Depth Plots: A single plot where two caskets are buried stacked on top of each other, often a more cost-effective option.
- Family Plots: A larger, dedicated area for multiple generations of a family.
Burial Alternatives
While traditional burial is standard, variations and alternatives exist:
- Natural (Green) Burial: Focuses on sustainability by omitting embalming fluids and using biodegradable caskets or shrouds. The goal is to allow the body to return to the earth naturally.
- Above-Ground Burial: Includes mausoleums (for caskets) and columbariums (for urns), which keep remains in permanent structures rather than the soil.
- Lawn Crypts: Pre-installed underground concrete chambers that function like an underground mausoleum.
Estimated Costs
In 2025, burial costs vary significantly by region and choice of services:
- Traditional Burial: Generally ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 in Canada and can average around $10,000 for a full service with vault and monument.
- Plot Price: Depending on location, a single plot may cost between $1,200 and $2,200.
- Green Burial: Often more affordable, ranging from $500 to $4,000.