What is a direct cremation?

According to SunLife’s 2022 Cost of Dying report, the number of people opting for a direct cremation over a traditional funeral in the UK has risen from 3% in 2019 to 18% in 2021 – that’s a 500% increase! It begs the question, why is this the case? and can we expect to see more of them in the future?

If you are planning a funeral for a loved one or even planning ahead for yourself, and want to arrange a  more dignified, personal send-off without the need to spend thousands; a direct cremation might be the right choice for you. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about direct cremations: What they are, why they are becoming so popular in the UK, and the benefits of opting for a direct cremation funeral.

What is a Direct Cremation?

A direct cremation, also known as an "Unattended cremation", is a standalone cremation with no funeral service, memorial, ceremony, or attendees. Essentially, it is a simplified, fuss-free alternative that allows friends and family to hold their own celebration of life for their loved one in their own time and manner.

What is the difference between cremation and direct cremation?

The two main differences are cost and service. A traditional cremation has a funeral service held at the crematorium, with mourners present. A direct cremation, has no service and therefore no attendees. Instead, with a direct cremation, families gather together somewhere more personal to celebrate their loved ones life. The absence of a service, is what makes direct cremations lower in cost compared to traditional cremations. 

This provides the freedom for family to hold a positive and more personal send-off at a later date. 

How much does a direct cremation cost?

According to Sunlife’s 2022 Cost of Dying report, the most affordable funeral in the UK is currently direct cremation, at an average price of £1,647 (depending on the provider)*. 

When compared to burials, direct cremations are 66% cheaper, and when compared to traditional cremations, direct cremations are 56% cheaper.

*At Celebration of Life, we provide Britain's most affordable direct cremation services. You can find out more about our direct cremation service, ­here. 

  

How does a direct cremation work?

1. After collection of the deceased, they are taken care of at a private mortuary until the date of the cremation. During this time other formalities are completed such as the medical cause of death certificate by the GP and removal of devices such as a pacemaker. Also the applicant making arrangements will need to ensure the death gets registered with the local registrar.
2. The family are notified of the date of cremation if they choose. The deceased are then taken to the crematorium in a suitable vehicle for an unattended cremation. This means that only the crematorium professionals who are looking after the deceased will be present. A simple pine coffin is supplied from the outset as part of the service.
3. Afterwards the ashes are usually returned to the family to a hold a memorial in their own unique way at a later date if they choose. Celebration of Life™ include the hand delivery of ashes to a loved one anywhere in Great Britain. See what else is included, here. 

Can I attend a direct cremation?

Direct cremation is an unattended service. However, you can opt to pay an additional £300 to have up to 12 people attend the committal. This is usually a 9am, 20min period of time in the chapel. This covers the cost of extra staff required and a selection of music to play, provided by you. This must be booked at the time of arranging the collection if you require a crematorium locally (this is subject to availability).

What are the benefits of direct cremation?

Aside the financial saving, you can say farewell to your loved one in a positive way.  It allows time to plan a more personal send off, in a relaxed environment, on a day that suits those who matter the most, without being tied to tradition or ceremony.

To find out more about how to plan a celebration of life memorial for a loved one, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to Planning a Celebration of Life. 

Can you pay in advance for a direct cremation?

If a loved one is on end of life care then it can be easier to provide the information we will need ahead of time. This means there is less for you to worry about on the day as we will have all of the information on file for you.

Pre-paid funeral plan

You can pay in advance for a direct cremation by purchasing a pre-paid funeral plan. This could be for yourself or a loved one that you are making arrangements for.

A pre-paid plan removes the financial burden of a funeral bill for family at the time of need. It also means that the price is fixed so no matter how high funeral prices rise in the future, your plan is guaranteed.

You can buy a fully inclusive Celebration of Life™ direct cremation funeral plan for just £1,450, find out more, here.