All About Direct Burials

Also known as the least expensive way to be buried, direct burial at funeral homes Richland, PA, is one of the most popular disposition types in the US and elsewhere. If you’re preplanning your own funeral or tasked with arranging the final services of a loved one, you want to know more about direct burial.

This article is going to talk about direct burial, including what it is, how much it costs, plus all the pros and cons. Read it thoroughly to understand whether this is the right option for you or your loved one.

What Is Direct Burial?

Direct burial is the simplest form of burial a funeral home can offer. The body is picked up, placed in a minimal casket, transported to the cemetery, and buried.

No formal funeral service is conducted, and many of the products and services associated with the cost of a traditional burial are removed.

The close family often has a brief graveside service at the time of burial to honor the lost loved one. With a direct burial, the body is buried soon after death, with no embalming or visitation. There would be no extra expenses, just the casket, the gravesite, and the cemetery fees.

All this happens within a matter of days. Since the timeframe is short, so the deceased does not need to be embalmed. The funeral home may store the body for a short time while you make any necessary arrangements.

In the case of a traditional burial, the family needs to hold a funeral service, embalm the body, get a casket, a burial plot, and so on. That adds to the total cost of the service but gives enough time to process the loss, invite family and friends, and hold a perfect final service.

Direct Burial Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Less expensive than a traditional service.
  • Easier to plan than a full funeral.
  • Less stress than a traditional service.
  • No rush for friends and family to attend the funeral. There are no costly flights or trying to get time off. This means that when and if you plan to have a memorial service, more people should be able to attend.
  • Direct burial suits many faiths. Some faiths require the dead to be buried almost immediately, while others forbid cremation like Muslims. Direct burial is an essential option for people who practice those religions.
  • You can get the burial done more quickly than a traditional funeral and burial.

funeral homes Richland, PACons:

  • You may not feel closure because you didn’t have a funeral service.
  • You won’t have that “one last time” to celebrate your loved one.
  • If your loved one specified funeral arrangements, direct burial may not work for you.

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of direct burial, the next step is to choose whether it suits your preferences or not. If you’re more practical-minded, concerned about expenses, or value simplicity, then direct burial is a handy option.

But if you prefer the sense of meaning and substance conveyed by a traditional funeral, expensive casket, and formal gathering, and don’t mind the extra costs, go for a traditional burial at funeral homes Richland, PA.