Cremation or burial — differences, costs, and how to choose

When a family must decide how to lay a loved one to rest, “cremation or traditional burial?” is one of the most common — and most difficult — questions.

This article explains the differences, advantages, and drawbacks of both options so you can make an informed choice that reflects the deceased’s wishes and your family’s traditions.

Traditional burial in Bulgaria

Traditional burial remains the most common choice. The coffin is placed in the ground at the cemetery.

How does it proceed?

1. Viewing at a funeral home or residence
2. Religious or civil service
3. Procession to the cemetery
4. Burial in the grave
5. Wreaths and flowers at the grave

Advantages

• Familiar and traditional for most families
• A physical place for visits and memorial services
• Preferred by the Orthodox Church
• Often easier for older relatives

Disadvantages

• Requires purchasing or renting a grave plot
• Often more expensive than cremation for a full package
• The grave requires maintenance

See our funeral packages in Plovdiv.

Cremation in Bulgaria

Cremation is growing in popularity, especially in cities. The body is cremated at around 900°C and ashes are placed in an urn.

How does it proceed?

1. Optional farewell ceremony before cremation
2. Transport to a crematorium (Plovdiv, Sofia or Varna)
3. Cremation
4. Urn handed to the family
5. Urn placed in a columbarium, grave, or scattered

Advantages

• Lower cost for direct cremation without ceremony
• Flexibility — the urn can be kept in different places
• Suitable when death occurs abroad
• Often considered a more ecological option
• No grave maintenance

Disadvantages

• No physical grave for some families who want one
• Orthodox tradition generally does not recommend cremation
• Transport to the crematorium adds cost
• More complex logistics

Details of our services: cremation.

Price comparison

Costs vary significantly depending on services chosen:

Traditional burial:

• Simple funeral: 800 euro / 1 600 BGN
• Standard funeral: 1 000 euro / 2 000 BGN
• Representative funeral: 1500+ euro

Cremation:

• Direct cremation (no ceremony): 850 euro / 1 700 BGN
• Cremation with farewell ceremony: 1 200 euro / 2 400 BGN

Prices are indicative and depend on coffin or urn, transport, and additional services. For a current quote from Seven Heaven, call 0898 69 17 35.

What does the Orthodox Church say?

The Orthodox Church traditionally prefers burial — “dust to dust.” Cremation is not explicitly forbidden but is not recommended.

If you choose cremation and a religious service matters to your family, speak with your local priest. For the 40th-day memorial tradition, see 40 days after passing.

How to choose

Choose traditional burial if:

• The deceased expressed a wish for burial
• Your family is traditional and religious
• You want a physical grave for visits
• Most relatives are from an older generation

Choose cremation if:

• The deceased wished for cremation
• You do not have a grave plot and prefer not to buy one
• Death occurred abroad
• You prefer a more modest, economical ceremony

Our support

At Seven Heaven we organize both burial and cremation with the same care and respect. Contact us anytime with questions.

Call 0898 69 17 35 — 24/7 hotline. 49 Tsarevets St., Plovdiv.

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.