Say goodbye to traditional, time-consuming rituals and embrace the simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and promptness of this modern approach. 

• No more embalming
• No more extravagant caskets 
• Just a swift and eco-friendly burial 
• Explore the reasons behind the surging popularity of direct burials, leaving lasting impacts on the funeral industry. 

Join us as we delve into this transformative phenomenon that’s reshaping the way we bid farewell to our loved ones.

The Takeaway: A direct burial is one of the most cost-effective options, that doesn’t involve elaborate ceremonies, decor, or additional services included with traditional burials.

What is a Direct Burial?

Simple, cost-effective, and prompt burials. Funeral industry statistics show direct burials have become more common (more details costs listed below):

In the US, immediate burial with the container provided by the family median cost is $2,825 (according to the National Funeral Directors Association, 2022); where as, a traditional burial with viewing is $7,848. 

In the UK, direct burial isn’t as common but prices start from £1,195 with the Co-Op

Key characteristics include:

• Happens shortly after death — unlike traditional burials with viewings, direct burials happen quickly, usually within a few days of the death.
• No viewing or service –
• Doesn’t involve embalming — making it a more environmentally friendly option with no embalming fluids being used.
• The deceased is buried in a simple casket or shroud, often without any grave marker or headstone.

Services Included in a Direct Burial

Services and related costs depend on the funeral home, location, and products selected.

Obtain a detailed breakdown of costs from a few funeral homes to understand what is included.

Typical services included:

• Basic services fee — funeral home professional services, including filing the necessary paperwork and coordinating the burial. Est. ~£1,000 to £2,500 / ~$1,500 to $3,000.
• Transportation of the deceased — collection from a place of death, to the funeral home and to the burial site. Est. ~£150 to £400 / ~$200 to $500.
• Simple casket or burial container — with no embalming or public viewing, these caskets are more affordable. Est. ~£400 to £1,500 / $500 to $2,000.
• Direct burial plot or crypt — heavily depends on location and cemetery. Est. ~£800 to £3,500 / $525 to $5,000.
• Grave liner or vault — a required container placed in the ground to support the weight of the earth and the casket. Est. ~£400 to £1,800 / $500 to $2,500.
• Death certificate — legally required, official document to record the death. Est. ~£15- £40 / $20-50

Note that these costs are estimates and hugely vary if additional funeral products or services are added. 

Purpose of a Direct Burial

To provide a cost-effective, simple, and prompt way to handle the burial of a loved one, with no service funeral, or elaborate ceremonies.

An added benefit is that these simplified logistics take away a lot of the stress associated with organizing a traditional funeral ceremony.

What’s more, a direct burial allows the mourning family to prepare a memorial service at a later date. This can be done much more carefully, without the pressure of a traditional burial organization, and with more time for distant relatives to come and pay their respects. 

Direct Burials Are More Affordable

In the US, direct burials average $2,597 (not incl. casket). In the UK data isn’t available for direct burials, but the average burial is £4,927.

Direct burials typically do not involve the following elements, which incur extra fees:

• Embalming
• Elaborate funeral services
• Visitation or wake
• Concrete burial vault
• Traditional caskets (instead of direct burial containers)

Fewer Worries and Logistics

The simplicity of a direct burial can:

• Reduce the burden of planning a complex funeral service
• Lessen the pressure to organize large groups of people and coordinate schedules
• Provide a more private and intimate experience for the immediate family
• Reduce financial strain

How long does it take to bury someone? It’s typically a few days, allowing for a quicker resolution and closure for the family, and doesn’t have the additional necessary funeral products needing to be purchased in other types of burials.

Allows Time to Plan and Organize a Memorial

Direct burials allow families to plan a memorial service or direct funeral service in the future, at a time when they are more emotionally prepared to handle the logistics.

This can be a huge relief, as it removes the stress of needing to fly in family members or friends on short notice.

The service can be held at home, unofficially, which can provide a more intimate environment while removing the expense of official service.

Such simplicity and flexibility often provide a more personal and meaningful experience for the family in the long run.

Religious Considerations

A number of religions have direct burial traditions to be adhered to:

• Islam burial traditions dictate direct burial within 24 hours, without embalming.
• Judaism burial traditions mandate burial within 24 hours of death. Discourages embalming or cremation.
• Bahá’í traditions encourage it as a simple and dignified way of disposing of the body.
• Hinduism traditions wrap the body in a simple white cloth and the actual burial happens within 24 hours of death.
• Buddhists traditionally prefer direct burial.

The Takeaway: It’s always best to consult with a religious leader or community for specific guidance on funeral practices

Direct Burial Requirements

A funeral without a service typically involves fewer logistical and legal requirements, but there are still legal obligations required:

1. Obtain a death certificate
2. Securing a burial permit
3. Comply with local regulations regarding burial depth and location.
4. Costs associated with cemetery plot purchase and burial fees.

The funeral home or cemetery staff can provide guidance on these requirements and costs to ensure a smooth and legal process.

Direct Burial Costs

Costs fall into two key categories:

1. Professional fees and burial – listed above, hiring a professional to carry out the service relating to the deceased and burial of the body
2. Send off costs – includes officiants, memorial, catering, limo hire, venue hire, flowers, order sheet/service cards, the funeral notice, and the death notice

Send-off costs to consider:

• Service in place of worship – with a religious leader. Starts at £200+ / $250+
• Service at graveside or crematorium – with a religious leader. Starts at £200+ / $150+
• Headstone – starting at £400+ / $1,000+
• Caskets – from £400 to £3,000 / $600 to $6,000.

Affordable Alternatives to Direct Burial

The cheapest funeral alternatives to direct burial include direct cremation, green burial, body donation to science, and home funeral.

Direct Cremation

The average direct cremation cost starts from £1,500+ / $2,300+. Again, it depends on your funeral home, provider, and location. 

Costs included in this are:

• Cremation fees
• Doctor’s fees
• Provision of a simple coffin
• Collection of your loved one a few days prior
• Transportation of the deceased
• Preparation for cremation
• Return of the ashes

What is a direct cremation? It is another alternative, affordable, option that doesn’t involve the presence of mourners, a funeral, or a memorial service. 

Green Burial (also known as Natural Burial or No Casket Burial)

• The average green burial cost starts from £1,000+ / $500-2000.

• The body is typically placed in a biodegradable shroud, container, or casket made from natural materials like bamboo, wicker, or untreated wood.

• Can you be buried without a casket? Technically yes. The body of the deceased is interred directly into the ground without the use of a casket or burial vault, but it does need to be covered with a shroud or be in a container.

Body and Organ Donation

• If a loved one has donated their organs or body, after donation, the body is always returned to the family of the deceased in the same way as any death in a hospital where donation has not taken place.

• This is the case in both the US and the UK.

• If you would like to learn more about voluntary organ donation please visit UNOS.org in the US, and in the UK NHS.uk.

Conclusion

The direct burial definition is what you want it to be – simple, efficient, and budget-friendly.

It doesn’t mean a proper farewell can’t be had. In fact, it offers the family and friends of the deceased more time to plan a meaningful and personalized memorial service, either official or unofficial, in their own time and at their own pace.

Direct burial provides a practical and respectful way to lay a loved one to rest while still allowing for a fitting tribute to be made.

FAQ

Is direct burial the same as cremation?

No, direct burial is not the same as cremation. Direct burial involves burying the deceased’s body in a cemetery plot without embalming or any public visitation. Cremation involves the burning of the body and the disposal of the ashes in a manner chosen by the family.

Is direct burial the same as a green burial?

Direct funeral and green burial are two different types of burial. Direct burial involves burying the deceased without any visitation or service. On the other hand, green burial is an eco-friendly alternative that involves the burial of the body in a biodegradable casket or shroud without embalming or a concrete burial vault. It may involve a ceremony.

What is the cheapest way to be buried?

The cheapest way to be buried is through a green burial or a direct burial with no services. This involves the prompt burial of the deceased without embalming, public visitation, or funeral service. A simple casket or burial container is used, and the body is buried in a cemetery plot or crypt. For green burials, an eco-friendly casket is used instead and the body is buried in a natural burial ground, surrounded by trees and nature.