Planning a final farewell for a loved one is one of the most emotional decisions a family can face. In 2025, more families in Toledo, Ohio, are carefully weighing the options between traditional burial and cremation. Both offer meaningful ways to honor life, but they differ in cost, process, flexibility, and tradition.

• Traditional Burial is often preferred by families with strong ties to faith traditions that emphasize physical interment, such as Catholicism, Judaism, or Islam.
  
  

• Cremation is increasingly accepted across many denominations, though some still discourage or prohibit it.

Cultural beliefs and family values play a key role in shaping end-of-life decisions, often prioritizing family consensus over individual autonomy (Lo, 2010).

In Toledo, funeral costs vary based on services selected:

Traditional Burial typically includes:

• Casket and vault

• Gravesite and opening/closing fees

• Embalming and viewing

• Headstone and interment ceremony

Cremation often reduces costs with:

• Lower service fees

• An optional urn instead of a casket

• No need for a burial plot (unless remains are interred)

In 2024, the median cost of a funeral with burial and viewing was approximately $7,848, while a direct cremation—without a viewing or service—averaged around $2,183 (Meyer).

• Cremation offers more scheduling flexibility. Families can plan memorials weeks or even months later, allowing time to gather loved ones.

• Burial often requires more immediate planning, typically within 5-10 days.

This is especially helpful for Toledo families with relatives traveling from out of state or overseas.

Sustainability is influencing modern end-of-life planning:

• Cremation eliminates the need for land use and embalming chemicals, but does produce carbon emissions.

• Burial uses natural land but may involve embalming fluids and non-biodegradable materials.

Green burial options are available locally and may appeal to eco-conscious Toledo families.

• Burial provides a permanent place for visitation, which many families value as part of the grieving process.

• Cremation allows for:

• Scattering ashes in meaningful locations

• Memorial jewelry or keepsake urns

• Interment in a cremation garden or columbarium

Some families in Toledo choose cremation with a traditional funeral service beforehand, blending both options.

Ohio law permits both burial and cremation, but certain paperwork and timelines apply:

• A cremation authorization form must be signed by the legal next of kin

• Cremated remains can be buried, scattered, or kept at home

Working with a licensed funeral home ensures all legal requirements—such as obtaining death certificates, permits, and written pricing—are handled properly and respectfully, providing families with both peace of mind and dignified care (What Are the Main Responsibilities of Funeral Directors).

For some families, knowing there’s a physical gravesite provides comfort and a place for future generations to visit. Others prefer the mobility and simplicity of cremation, especially in a society that moves more frequently.

Both options can be meaningful—what matters most is choosing what aligns with your loved one’s wishes and your family’s needs.

The choice between burial and cremation is a personal one. In 2025, families in Toledo, Ohio are considering tradition, budget, environmental values, and emotional needs as they plan end-of-life services.

At Dale-Riggs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, we guide Toledo families through this important decision with compassion, clarity, and personalized care. Whether you choose a traditional burial or cremation, we’re here to help you honor life with dignity and meaning. 

Yu-Tai Lo et al. "Making End-of-Life Decisions: Revisit Chinese Cultural Perspectives." , 15 (2010): 187-195. https://doi.org/10.6537/TJHPC.2010.15(2).4.

Meyer, Susan, and Ross Martin. “How Much Does a Funeral Cost? A Complete Breakdown.” The Zebra, 19 Apr. 2024.

What Are the Main Responsibilities of Funeral Directors. 3 June 2024, www.manganofh.com/what-are-the-main-responsibilities-of-funeral-directors.