Burial vs Cremation

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Burial vs. Cremation When a loved one dies, more than likely, specific arrangements have been made as to what should be done with the body. The two most prevalent options are traditional burial, and cremation. Burial is the act of entombing the deceased in the ground. Cremation is the act of incinerating the body. Scholars believe the tradition of burying the dead has been around ever since civilizations and religions were formed. Cremation, on the other hand, has only been around since about 3000 B.C.E. Another more recent option is to donate the body to research. So the question remains, what will you do with your corpse? Some major factors in making this decision are the financial cost, and your personal religious views. The most significant difference between a traditional burial and cremation is the state the body is in after the procedure. Because of the length of time that the tradition of burial has been around, the process has evolved. In ancient times, when someone passed away the community simply dug a hole, dropped the body in it, and covered it back up. Now, the process is much more refined. First the body is sent to the morgue for storage, before it is sent to the funeral home for embalming. Embalming is a chemical process that is used to preserve the body until the day of the viewing. The Embalming process is controversial itself. The body is filled with a cocktail of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and ethanol, all toxic chemicals. After that, the body is washed, dressed, and coated in a vast array of makeup to hide the appearance of death. The corpse is then placed in a steel casket, and ready for viewing. Viewings can either be open or closed casket, usually at the discretion of the family. This usually takes place the day before the funeral, and allows family and friends of the deceased to say their final goodbyes. The next day the funeral

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