How a body will be cared for after a death is an important decision.

Most people in America are buried or entombed (which means the body is "buried" in an aboveground monument such as a mausoleum). People select burial based on a number of factors including the desire to keep with tradition or for religious or cultural reasons.

About 25% of today's funerals have cremation as their means of final disposition. Cremation can be accompanied by visitation time beforehand, a memorial service, a committal or scattering ritual. Including these elements of ceremony makes cremation a meaningful option.