The Hidden Cost of Skipping the Funeral

When a loved one dies, the last thing you want to deal with is complexity. Managing grief while event-planning a funeral can feel overwhelming and stressful, not to mention expensive. It’s no wonder that people often turn to simpler options like simple cremation or even direct burial just to skip the stress.


But while direct funerals can be appealing, they can often leave you feeling hollow—and make grief even harder to manage. Before you skip the service, take a moment to understand why funerals are important, and what affordable options exist for saving money on a funeral without short-changing your grief.

Hands gently resting on a casket during a direct funeral service.

What Is a Direct Burial?

A direct burial (or direct funeral) is the simplest form of final arrangement. The body is buried shortly after death without a viewing, visitation, or funeral service. There is no formal ceremony or gathering for loved ones. There will often be no printed obituary or memorial event.


For some families, direct burial can feel like a simple, convenient, or affordable choice. When distance, timing, or budget are a concern, the direct option is quick and straightforward. However, simplifying logistics can also take away a vital human need: the chance to gather, remember, and say goodbye. 

The Hidden Cost of a Missed Goodbye

In a practical sense, funerals serve two purposes. One is laying a body to rest with dignity. The other is creating space for grief and allowing loved ones to gather to celebrate and honor their relationship with the departed. A direct funeral tends to the first, but not the second. This can leave family members and friends without an outlet for their emotions, amplifying the loneliness and isolation that often accompany loss.


A traditional funeral or personalized memorial service provides a place to express grief, honor a loved one’s life and story, and make space where healing can begin. When that step is skipped, the grief can feel unfinished or unresolved, as if you never truly had a chance to say goodbye.


This is true for the people closest to the deceased. But it’s also true for the rest of the community. You may be surprised how many friends, coworkers, acquaintances and neighbors may crave the opportunity to share their love and the pain of loss, and to support you through your grief. Skipping the funeral robs you of that support and often deprives them of the opportunity to give it.

Affordable Alternatives to Direct Funerals

Even when you understand the importance of funerals, other factors may influence your decisions when it comes time to lay a loved one to rest. If cost or simplicity are your main concerns, know that there are meaningful middle-ground options. A funeral doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive to be heartfelt.


Here are some affordable funeral alternatives that keep things simple while preserving meaning for your family and community:


  • Private family viewing: A quiet moment for immediate family to say goodbye before burial or cremation. Many funeral homes, including ours, provide intimate private viewing rooms with space for a gathering. Coming together with the body present to say a last goodbye is a powerful step toward healing for many.
  • Memorial service at a later date: If travel logistics are a concern, consider opting for the direct burial but holding a memorial service at a later date. This allows time to plan something personal and healing when emotions aren’t as raw. You could also hold multiple small gatherings instead of a single funeral. For example, if your loved one has friends in one state but a large family in another, holding two gatherings may be simpler than expecting everyone to travel to a single service. Memorials can be personalized to suit the life they honor.
  • Celebration of life: Many people assume that traditional funerals are not for them because they associate them with religious services. Others avoid them because they simply feel too sad. A secular celebration of life is a personalized alternative, providing a time and place to gather and celebrate a loved one in a way that makes sense for their individuality.
  • Graveside service: A direct burial can be accompanied by a secular or religious service at the graveside. These tend to be shorter and more intimate than full funerals, but they provide ritual and closure for loved ones.
  • Virtual or hybrid memorial: During the Covid-19 pandemic, many families held virtual or livestreamed services. The limits on gatherings have long since lifted, but many find that being able to attend a funeral service long-distance allows them a chance to be close to the grieving family even when travel is impossible.

When someone you love passes, it’s natural to want the process to be as simple and stress-free as possible. But simplicity doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye without meaning.


At Horan & McConaty, we believe every life deserves to be honored. Whether you choose a traditional service or a modest gathering, our caring team can help you create something that fits your needs, your budget, and your heart.


Call us anytime at (303) 745-4418, or visit any of our Denver funeral home locations to get started.