Last Updated on: March 23, 2026
Reviewed by Kyle Wilson
The term interment refers to the act of placing the body of your deceased person into a grave , Tom or any mausoleum. The term is direct from the Latin word inter momentum which really means to be placed into the Earth.
Interment is not limited to the traditional burial in the ground. It can also refer to placing the cremated ashes in the columbarium, crypt or memorial plot. In addition to that the interment focuses on the final resting place of the loved ones who died rather than the method of preparing the body.
Although interment and burial are closely related to each other, they are not entirely the same. Understanding the differences will help you a lot to make the best decision during the funeral planning.
In simple terms all burials are interments but not all the interments are burials.
| Feature | Interment | Burial |
| Meaning | Placement in final resting place | Placement in the ground |
| Scope | Casket, cremated ashes, crypt | Only casket in the ground |
| Location Flexibility | Cemetery, mausoleum, columbarium | Cemetery ground plots only |
| Legal Implications | Requires permits, may involve deed | Requires permits, cemetery rules |
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Interment can occur in several forms and it depends on the culture practices, religious being used in the personal preferences. Where are the most common types? Let’s have a look for better understanding
The ground burial is the traditional method where the bodies are placed in a grave plot. This is what most people think of when they hear the word burial.
A mausoleum is an above ground Building where the caskets or urns are placed. It offers protection from weather and the permanent structure.
Columbarium is a structure with niches that are designed to hold urns containing the cremated remains. This is the space efficient alternative to ground burials.
This is the eco-friendly option that uses biodegradable gaskets or shrouds and this will allow the body to decompose naturally. The interment occurred without embalming or concrete vaults.
Some of the families opt for interment at sea where the ashes are sometimes placed in designated Marine areas.
Understanding the cost difference can help you a lot to make the financial planning. Cost can be different depending on location, cemetery and type.
Remember that these prices are the estimate and can change according to your needs and preferences and the state regulations
The practices of Interment heavily depend on the country and religious traditions.
Both interment and burial involved legal and procedural steps.
There are three main types, the ground burial that is all about placing the body in a grave in the ground. The second type is mausoleum imperial that is about placing the body in a building above the ground the third one is cremation burial, this is all about placing the ashes in equilibrium, grave or other resting place
A grave is the actual hole in the ground where our body is being placed. The interment is the act of putting the body or ashes into that grave or any final resting place. So the grave is the place and the interment is the action
Inurnment is all about putting cremated ashes into an urn or columbarium niche. Interment is the product term and it means that putting a body or ashes into any final resting place can be a grave mausoleum or columbarium.
No, a funeral is the ceremony to honor and remember the person who died. On the other hand the burial is all about the act of placing the body in the ground. Funeral can often include a burial but they are not the same thing.
Senior Writer & Licensed Life Insurance Agent
Jazmine Cooke is a dynamic and insightful senior writer with a passion for life insurance and financial planning. With over 8 years of hands-on experience in the insurance industry, Jazmine Cooke has earned a reputation for delivering clear, actionable advice that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future. At Burial Senior Insurance, she not only excels as a licensed insurance agent but also as a trusted guide who has successfully advised over +1500 clients, helping them navigate the often complex world of life insurance and annuities. Her articles have been featured in top-tier financial publications, making her a respected voice in the industry.
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