Can you put in an after market radio without dash kit?

I got an after market radio for Christmas and I asked my uncle to install it he s real experienced with car and modding. I've been looking at vids of people installing the radios and they all use the dash kits. Mine hasn't came in the mail and he s installing it tomorrow so I was wondering can he install without dash kit? Is that possible (btw I'm asking not him) and it's a 2001 Honda Civic. A double din radio is being installed.

Sure, it makes it easier for thieves to steal it if that's what you want.

In a 2001 Civic, the double-DIN dash kit is just a trim piece that snaps in to fill the gap around the head unit. It is possible to securely install the head unit without the dash kit, using the same brackets that held the factory radio. If you mount the new head unit correctly, you may be able to snap on the trim piece later.

You will need a wire harness adapter for the installation, though.

Here's a guide for taking the dash apart: http://kzcarfi.blogspot.com/2008/09/2001-2005-honda-civic-dash-disassembly.html

And here's Metra's instructions for the trim piece: http://www.metraonline.com/files/products/INST95-7899.pdf