Direct Interment

A direct interment is the burial of a person without a funeral ceremony or attendance by family, friends or other mourners. It is similar in concept to a Direct Cremation, except that the final disposition is burial rather than cremation.

A simple burial. The funeral service provider brings the person to the cemetery, where the cemetery staff have already prepared the grave. The coffin or casket is placed into the grave and the burial is completed without a funeral gathering.

No mourners are present. A direct interment is generally attended only by the funeral service provider and cemetery staff. This is an important distinction from a Graveside, where family and friends gather at the grave and the funeral service provider is present to conduct and manage the ceremony.

The burial itself may be very simple. Depending on the type and weight of the coffin or casket, the funeral service provider may be able to lower it by hand using the cemetery’s lowering equipment. A lightweight Daisybox, for example, can make this relatively straightforward when the person is also of a suitable weight.

Why it generally costs less. Direct interment is generally less expensive because the burial can be scheduled at a time that suits the cemetery and funeral service provider, rather than requiring everyone to be available at a particular time chosen around the family’s attendance. This allows the cemetery to coordinate the burial with its staff, equipment and other scheduled work, while the funeral service provider can incorporate it into its normal operations.

Why attendance changes the cost. A direct interment is priced on the basis that the funeral company is carrying out the burial without mourners being present. If someone wants to attend, even if they only want to spend a few minutes at the grave or assist with lowering the coffin or casket, the arrangement becomes a Graveside rather than a direct interment. The price therefore needs to change to account for the additional attendance and responsibilities, even if the actual time at the grave is only five minutes.

A private way to bury someone. Direct interment can suit families who do not want a funeral ceremony, who prefer to say goodbye privately at another time, or who simply want the simplest possible burial arrangement.

A direct interment is therefore the burial itself, carried out privately and at a time that works for the cemetery and funeral service provider, without mourners attending.

Direct Interment

Direct Interment

Related