The decision is deeply personal and often shaped by cost, culture, faith, environmental values, or family traditions. Including your wishes in your will can ease the decision-making process for loved ones and help ensure your final wishes are respected.
Cremation and burial are the two most common ways Canadians choose to be remembered.
This guide explains the key differences between cremation and burial in Canada, including cost, environmental impact, cultural customs, and legal considerations.
Cremation vs Burial – Key Differences
Cremation is a process that transforms a loved one's remains into ashes, which can be kept, scattered, or shared in other meaningful ways.
Burial involves placing the remains in a casket and laying it to rest in a cemetery plot, a lasting place where family and friends can visit.
While the biggest difference is in how the body is cared for and remembered, cost is often a factor too. Cremation is generally more affordable than burial.
The choice is a personal one. Some people find comfort in having a permanent resting place to return to. Others value the flexibility of cremation, which allows for more personalized ways to honour a life, like creating keepsakes or scattering ashes somewhere meaningful.
Comparison at a Glance
Cultural and Personal Preferences in Canada
- Cremation is increasingly popular in Canada, with over 70% of Canadians choosing this option
- Burial remains preferred in some religious communities and for families who value a physical place for remembrance
Family and regional traditions often play a big role in end-of-life choices. In some communities, burial plots are passed down through generations, creating a meaningful link to ancestry and heritage.
For many, the decision is also about legacy and how they want to be remembered. A burial site can offer a permanent place for loved ones to gather, while cremation allows for more personal tributes, like turning ashes into jewellery or helping restore marine life through reef memorials.
Cremation vs Burial Cost in Canada
The cost of end-of-life arrangements can vary quite a bit depending on where you live, who you choose to work with, and the type of service you want. Having a general sense of the range can help you make a decision that feels right for you and your family.
Here’s a rough comparison of cremation and burial costs in Canada:
Many people choose cremation for its affordability, while others invest more for a lasting burial site where loved ones can gather.
Regional variations
Where you live can make a difference. For example, cremation tends to be more affordable in British Columbia than in Ontario due to local regulations and pricing structures.
In provinces like Québec or Alberta, community traditions or municipal support may reduce costs, especially for burial. It’s also worth noting that each province has its own legal requirements, including rules for burial on private property.
At the end of the day, the right choice is the one that aligns with your budget, your values, and how you want to be remembered.
Environmental considerations
For many, caring for the planet doesn’t stop at the end of life, but is part of the legacy we leave behind. Whether you're planning for yourself or someone you love, it can be reassuring to know there are thoughtful, sustainable options available.
Cremation
- Produces carbon emissions, but doesn’t require land use
- Avoids embalming, reducing the use of harmful chemicals
- Newer methods like aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) use water instead of flame, offering a lower-impact alternative
Burial
- Embalming fluids can seep into soil and groundwater
- Traditional burial relies on land, metal, and other natural resources
- Many caskets and vaults are built with non-biodegradable materials that remain in the environment long-term
Greener burial choices in Canada
More Canadians are embracing green burial—a natural approach that reduces environmental impact while honouring the rhythms of the earth.
- Uses biodegradable caskets or simple shrouds
- Avoids embalming fluids and concrete vaults
- Takes place in natural settings, often with GPS markers instead of headstones
- May include tree planting or other memorials that give back to nature
Carbon footprint comparison
- Cremation: Emits around 160 kg of CO₂
- Traditional burial: Higher footprint due to materials, embalming, and land use
- Green burial: Lowest environmental impact, with minimal emissions and resource use
Choosing an eco-conscious path can be a powerful reflection of your values. It’s a way to honour the planet while still creating space for remembrance, connection, and meaning.
Future trends in end-of-life practices
The way we say goodbye is changing. Across Canada, there’s growing interest in more sustainable, personalized, and inclusive options.
Eco-conscious technologies like human composting are starting to gain attention. While not yet widely available in Canada, they offer a glimpse into the future, reshaping how we think about burial and cremation in light of environmental values.
At the same time, more people are choosing to leave a digital legacy. Online memorials, virtual ceremonies, and shared photo albums help friends and family stay connected no matter where they are. These digital spaces offer comfort and accessibility while reducing the need for travel.
Explore how digital legacies are evolving
Personal and religious considerations
Your beliefs, values, and traditions often shape how you want to be remembered. In Canada’s diverse and multicultural communities, end-of-life choices are deeply personal and often spiritual.
Talking with your family can help ensure your choice reflects what matters most to you, whether that’s honouring your faith, preserving a tradition, or following your own personal philosophy.
Some people feel drawn to green burial as a way to return gently to the earth. Others find meaning in the permanence of a cemetery plot or the freedom of scattering ashes in a place they loved.
Whatever you choose, it’s your story to tell.
Legal and estate planning considerations
Planning ahead protects your wishes and helps ease the burden on your loved ones during a difficult time.
By including your end-of-life preferences in your will, you give your family clear guidance and peace of mind.
- Willful makes it easy to document your wishes for cremation or burial in your will. This ensures your final arrangements reflect your values and take the guesswork out of decision-making.
- Include details for your memorial or celebration of life—like music, readings, or rituals that reflect who you are. You can also specify whether you'd like something simple, something spiritual, or something more personal.
- Understand that each province has its own rules for burial and ash scattering. If you're thinking about private land, natural burial, or eco-conscious options, local laws matter.
- Cemetery plots are legally protected, and ownership can often be passed down through generations
- Consider your digital legacy. Whether you’d like an online memorial, how your social media accounts are managed, or how you'd like digital memories to be preserved
- Charitable giving can also be part of your estate plan. Whether you care deeply about the environment, education, or health care, planning your gift in advance ensures your values live on
Estate planning isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about putting your values into action, and giving your loved ones the confidence to honour your life, your way.
Emotional impact on loved ones
Planning your final arrangements ahead of time is one of the most caring things you can do for your family.
It helps ease emotional strain during a time of grief, and gives loved ones clarity and confidence that they're honouring your wishes.
Memorial services and rituals
There’s no one right way to remember a life. Each option offers a meaningful way to say goodbye:
- Burial: Often includes a graveside service and a permanent place for reflection
- Cremation: May involve scattering ceremonies, keepsake urns, or other personal tributes
- Celebration of life: A gathering focused on stories, laughter, and shared memories
- Digital memorials: Online spaces where loved ones can share photos, messages, and reflections
Psychological benefits of pre-planning
Families often describe feeling a deep sense of relief when final arrangements have already been made. It reduces stress, avoids uncertainty, and gives them space to grieve without added pressure.
These conversations can also bring families closer together, opening up honest, thoughtful discussions about legacy, values, and what matters most.
Pre-planning encourages financial preparedness by reducing unexpected costs and ensuring spending aligns with your wishes.
It also gives you a chance to shape your farewell in a way that feels personal, whether that’s a favourite song, a meaningful poem, or a simple, quiet goodbye in nature.
These small details can bring lasting comfort to those you leave behind.
Final Considerations: Choosing the Right Option for You
Thinking about end-of-life arrangements isn’t always easy, but it’s a powerful way to reflect on your values, your legacy, and how you want to be remembered.
Pros and Cons
Consider what brings you comfort: a quiet resting place for loved ones to visit, the idea of returning to nature, or a memorial that lives on in a different form, like a tree or reef.
No matter what you choose, documenting your wishes in your will helps ensure they’ll be honoured, and brings clarity to those you love.
Taking time to reflect now can bring peace of mind later, for you, and for your family. It’s a chance to leave behind not just instructions, but a lasting expression of who you are and what matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more on what to do when someone dies or pre-planning a funeral, explore Willful’s resources to help guide your end-of-life planning:
Planning a Funeral: Who is Responsible?
A Guide To Pre-Planning Funeral and Burial Wishes
Your Guide to Choosing and Documenting End-of-Life Arrangements
Understanding Funeral Insurance in Canada
How to Plan Your Own Funeral: A Comprehensive Guide
How pre-planning and your legacy go hand in hand
