Andy Griffith Already Laid To Rest

We were all surprised to hear Andy Griffith passed away yesterday.  He was relatively private, so it wasn't a surprise that he died quietly and had private burial plans.

What is weird, however, is that he was buried within a few hours of his passing.  This came from TMZ late afternoon on the same day:

Andy Griffith only passed away a few hours ago -- but TMZ has learned, the Hollywood icon has already been buried.

A rep for Twiford Funeral Homes in Manteo, North Carolina tells us, Andy was buried at 11:30 AM on his family farm on Roanoke Island. We're told Andy had previously requested to be buried immediately after his death ... so that's why it all happened so fast.

We made calls to find out if Andy was embalmed. No one was talking, but we're told it's legal in North Carolina to bury people without embalming them.

We're told Andy's burial followed a small, private service with close friends and family in attendance.

RIP, good sir.  He was in show business longer than I can imagine being alive.  Yet I cannot recall a single instance in which he was a jerk or caught doing something unkind.  He seemed to be a good man by all accounts, a rarity nowadays.