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An immediate burial service is when the departed is taken directly to the cemetery after securing the death certificate and burial permit. This is possible if you have a prepared graveyard lot, which will take little time and lessen expenses.

Also known as direct burial, this type of funeral service skips over the ceremonies, embalming, and viewing steps. Once the body is taken from the morgue and obtained permits, it is transported to the graveyard of choice and entombed upon arrival. While it is a quick process, you can also hold a memorial program after the immediate burial service at your own pace. You can choose when and where the ceremonies will take place after burying the deceased.
 

Why Choose an Immediate Burial for your Loved One?

There are a few advantages to an immediate burial, which is a great help if your family is tight on the expenses or prefers a private ceremony at a later date. Here are some of its pros:

Affordable

The cost of an immediate burial service is worth a fraction of a full memorial one. This is because there are no viewing and embalming fees. Elaborate caskets can also be removed from the expenses and other extra services involved compared to elaborate burials.

Eco-Friendly

Direct burials are good for the environment compared to cremation and full-service ones. This is because the deceased's body is left as it is, with no preservatives or harsh chemicals that can harm the soil balance. The body and the casket can decompose faster without any harmful substances, which makes it an eco-friendly alternative.
 

Efficiency

An immediate burial service is the most efficient option to bury the deceased, aside from being the most affordable one. There are no extensive programs and services in the process, and it is your choice to hold a memorial service at your convenience. One option to add to a direct funeral is a graveyard service, which takes less planning time and is more intimate.

Most Affordable Burial

The least expensive choice to dispose of your loved one's body is through an immediate burial service offered to almost all funeral homes. With no embalming and expensive ceremonies, it only costs an average of $3,000 to $5,000. You can save more funeral costs by:

• Choosing a more inexpensive casket that decomposes quicker
• Public cemeteries can be an option
• Check price differences of different funeral homes
• If your deceased is a veteran, avail for discounts

As the most basic interment, immediate burials are also the most efficient way to bury your loved one. While it is the simplest form of entombment, you can choose to commemorate your deceased existence in a small way by holding an intimate ceremony later on. Some funeral homes offer a basic burial package that includes discounts or graveside services.

Immediate Burial Alternatives

Aside from direct burials, other pocket-friendly options will help you save money on funeral expenses. Here are some of the immediate burial alternatives:
 

Green Funeral

This requires lesser resources and traditional memorial steps that cost a fortune. This is the Green Burial Council's initiative to minimize environmental risks further and provide a more eco-friendly alternative. This can include wrapping the body in a cotton shroud, burying the deceased in a conservation park, and planting over the plot with trees, flowers, or any plant variety.

There are criteria to consider qualifying for a green funeral which may cost between $1,000 to $4,000:

• No embalmment process
• The body is wrapped or contained in biodegradable material
• Available in select graveyards

Direct Cremation

The equivalent of direct burials and has a starting rate of $695, a direct cremation also skips over the embalming, viewing, and extra ceremonial expenses.
 

Human Composting

Only available in Washington, the human composting burial process includes placing the deceased's body in a container and leaving it to decompose at a faster rate. The body turns to soil which is then given back to the family and may cost around $5,500.
 

Donate the body for Medical Advancements

This typically involves a non-profit organization or a medically accredited one. The deceased would be screened while still alive to determine their health status and whether they're suitable organ donors. HIV and hepatitis are a no-go, as well as other infectious diseases. Body donation to science is typically free, and at the end of the process, the deceased is cremated and returned to the family.