A direct burial, also known as immediate burial, involves interring the deceased without a formal funeral service or viewing, making it a more cost-effective option compared to traditional burial services. The costs associated with direct burial can vary significantly across different states in the U.S. Below is a state-by-state breakdown of average direct burial costs:
| State | Average Direct Burial Cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $5,045 |
| Alaska | $4,327 |
| Arizona | $4,397 |
| Arkansas | $4,466 |
| California | $4,677 |
| Colorado | $4,827 |
| Connecticut | $6,054 |
| Delaware | $5,657 |
| District of Columbia | $5,469 |
| Florida | $5,200 |
| Georgia | $5,137 |
| Hawaii | $4,600 |
| Idaho | $4,625 |
| Illinois | $5,299 |
| Indiana | $5,210 |
| Iowa | $5,816 |
| Kansas | $5,374 |
| Kentucky | $4,804 |
| Louisiana | $5,206 |
| Maine | $5,464 |
| Maryland | $5,692 |
| Massachusetts | $5,540 |
| Michigan | $5,003 |
| Minnesota | $5,870 |
| Mississippi | $5,006 |
| Missouri | $4,990 |
| Montana | $5,092 |
| Nebraska | $5,473 |
| Nevada | $4,957 |
| New Hampshire | $5,339 |
| New Jersey | $5,401 |
| New Mexico | $4,757 |
| New York | $4,999 |
| North Carolina | $4,842 |
| North Dakota | $5,458 |
| Ohio | $4,941 |
| Oklahoma | $4,916 |
| Oregon | $4,397 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,283 |
| Rhode Island | $5,243 |
| South Carolina | $4,910 |
| South Dakota | $5,164 |
| Tennessee | $4,762 |
| Texas | $5,204 |
| Utah | $4,655 |
| Vermont | $5,035 |
| Virginia | $5,170 |
| Washington | $4,592 |
| West Virginia | $4,902 |
| Wisconsin | $5,565 |
| Wyoming | $5,082 |
Direct burial is a simplified form of burial that typically excludes many of the traditional funeral services. Here’s a breakdown of what it usually includes and excludes:
What Direct Burial Includes:
- Basic Transportation: Transport of the deceased from the place of death to the funeral home and then to the cemetery.
- Preparation of the Body: Minimal preparation, often without embalming (since there’s no viewing or wake).
- Basic Casket: An economical or simple casket.
- Burial Plot and Grave Opening/Closing: The cost of the burial plot and fees for opening and closing the grave are sometimes included but can vary by provider.
- Basic Service Fees: These are administrative fees for arranging the burial.
What Direct Burial Excludes:
- Embalming and Body Preparation: Since there’s no public viewing, embalming is typically excluded.
- Visitation, Viewing, or Wake Services: No public gatherings or viewing of the body are held.
- Memorial or Funeral Service: There’s usually no formal service, either at the funeral home or graveside.
- Floral Arrangements and Other Personalization: Direct burial is basic and does not include personalization options such as flowers, programs, or other memorial elements.
- Grave Marker or Headstone: This is usually an additional expense and not included in the direct burial package.
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