Why should I choose Distinct Cremations ahead of other providers?

At Distinct Cremations, we offer both direct and Funeral Service plans delivered with dignity and care. Our funeral plans include every aspect of the cremation arrangements so when the time comes there will be nothing more for your family to pay. We deliver all of the services ourselves including transport, care at our mortuary, cremation at one of our crematoriums and the return of the ashes. Our caring team is there to offer support throughout with both paperwork and making the arrangements.

Can you have a wake after the funeral?

Yes – many wakes are now held after the funeral has taken place, allowing people to come together to celebrate the life of the deceased.

Can you send the ashes overseas?

No - We can’t send ashes overseas directly, however we can help you to make the arrangements to do so yourself.

Will the hospital issue a medical certificate of cause of death?

After confirming the death, a hospital doctor will issue a vital medical certificate detailing the cause, essential for legal procedures. Enclosed in a sealed envelope, it's addressed to the local register office of births, deaths, and marriages. You can usually retrieve this certificate from the hospital's bereavement office or the deceased's GP, along with guidance on death registration procedures.

What documents are required to arrange a direct cremation?

The documents needed for a direct cremation include: The medical certificate of cause of death Death certificate/green form from the registry office Completed cremation forms In case of a coroner's involvement, additional forms may be required. Approval by a medical professional is needed for the cremation to proceed. For more detailed information, see our guide on the documents you need to arrange a funeral .

Why would a funeral be unattended?

For some, the lower cost of an unattended funeral makes it a more affordable or attractive option. Others simply prefer to have a more low-key send off. Or for people who don't want to follow traditions, an unattended cremation gives families the freedom to hold a personal and unique celebration of life event. See our celebration of life ideas for inspiration around locations, themes, dress codes and more.

What's the cheapest funeral package?

Unattended direct cremation plans are the cheapest funeral package on the market in the UK. For example, our unattended direct cremation plan starts at £1,799 with the option to pay in a single payment, over 12 months, 5 years or 10 years.

Compare Direct Cremation Costs and Different Providers

Average UK direct cremation costs

The average cost of a direct cremation in the UK is £1,597. This is on average £2,688 cheaper* than a traditional funeral with a service.

Distinct Cremations cost	UK average direct cremation	UK average cremation funeral	UK average burial funeral	Average funeral cost
£1,199	£1,597**	£3,980**	£5,198**	£4,285**

Direct cremations are a simplified funeral that takes place without attendees or a service. Importantly, direct cremations maintain the quality and dignity that you would expect from any funeral provider.

* Saving of £2,688 is based on the cost of a traditional funeral at £4,285 vs direct cremation funeral at £1,597 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs) ** Average direct cremation, cremation, burial and funeral costs in 2024 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

About direct cremation costs

Direct cremations offer a compassionate farewell, all whilst being more cost-effective than traditional funerals.

Here’s why direct cremation costs are lower than other types of funeral:

They omit traditional funeral elements. For example, embalming, viewings, and elaborate ceremonies, which can significantly drive up expenses. By focusing solely on the cremation process itself, direct cremations simplify the costs and streamline the arrangement, reducing both time and financial burdens for grieving families.
They eliminate the need for expensive caskets, burial plots, and headstones, further cutting down on costs. Instead, cremation providers typically offer a simple, sustainable casket. Without these additional expenses, families can put more money into celebrating their loved one's memory in more meaningful ways, such as memorial services or personalised tributes.

This lower price point offers the family flexibility in scheduling, allowing you to choose a time that suits your needs without incurring extra fees for specific dates or times.

On the whole, direct cremations provide a low cost alternative that prioritises simplicity, affordability, and respect, ensuring that families can focus on cherishing memories rather than financial worries.

Our direct cremation service

At Distinct Cremations, we offer direct cremation services that prioritise simplicity and affordability, while paying tribute to your loved one's memory with dignity and respect, when you need it the most.

Arrange an immediate funeral

From just £1,199

Pay upfront at a lower cost. Call us when the time comes and we'll conduct the funeral within 2 weeks.

Find out more

Plan a future funeral

From £1,799 or £19.79

Pay in monthly instalments over 1, 5 or 10 years. Call us when the time comes and we'll take care of the rest.

Find out more

Why choose a direct cremation?

Direct cremation

Choosing a direct cremation can offer a compassionate and dignified farewell for a loved one. It provides a simple and respectful way to memorialise their memory without the financial burden or logistical complexities associated with traditional funerals.

Direct cremation allows families to focus on celebrating their loved one's life in a meaningful and personalised manner, without the pressure of planning elaborate ceremonies or costly services. It offers flexibility in scheduling and arrangements, ensuring that families can say goodbye in a way that feels authentic and true to their loved one's wishes.

By choosing a direct cremation, you can allocate your resources towards celebrating your loved one's memory in ways that are meaningful and impactful.

Paying in advance

Paying in advance for a funeral plan offers many benefits for both you and your loved ones. They provide peace of mind by allowing you to plan and pay for your own funeral in advance, relieving your family members of the financial burden and stress during an already difficult time.

By paying in advance, you can also financially protect yourself, or your loved ones, against the rising funeral costs. By locking in today's prices, you can avoid the impact of inflation on funeral expenses, ensuring that your wishes are carried out without additional financial strain on your family members.

Plus, prepaid funeral plans allow people to specify their preferences and make personalised arrangements for their funeral, ensuring that their wishes are respected and followed. This can include decisions regarding the type of service, burial or cremation, choice of casket or urn, and any special requests or cultural traditions.

Wallet

Next steps

With so many options to choose from, it can be confusing to compare direct cremation and attended funerals. We can help you to break down the process.

Step 1: Find the right option for your needs

At Distinct Cremations, we offer both unattended direct cremation options and attended cremations:

Direct cremation from £1,199
Attended direct cremation from £1,899

We also offer funeral plans to help you set up a funeral in advance. Choose from our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan or Attended Cremation Plans to manage your future funeral arrangements with ease.

Find out more about our funeral plans.

Step 2: Get in touch

If you have any questions, or would like to talk through our options, you can speak to our expert team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you're ready to organise a funeral, call us on 01543212000 and we will begin all the arrangements for you, including taking the deceased into our care and supporting you with the paperwork.

View our direct cremation

Step 3: Let us take care of arrangements for you

Our Customer Service Specialists will liaise with you to make arrangements for the cremation and keep you updated every step of the way.

You can be assured that your loved one will be handled with the utmost care and respect. They will be transported from their place of rest to our state-of-the-art mortuary where they'll be prepared for the cremation itself.

At an unattended direct cremation, the coffin will be respectfully brought through the front doors of the chapel and rested on a raised platform whilst a piece of music of the family's choice is played or a moment of silence is observed. The cremation then takes place.

The ashes will be personally returned to you within 14 days of the cremation by a member of our team, ensuring a dignified send-off from start to finish.

What our customers say about us

We offer the highest level of support, but don't just take our word for it. Below are recent reviews from customers who bought a funeral with us.

4.9/5

4.8/5

Read all our reviews

Patrick Lay, on Google 9 Feb 2025

Unbelievable. Very good. Very good at what they do and mum had a great send off. Thanks very much for your expertise. Excellent

Claire , on Trustpilot 5 Feb 2025

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Distinct Cremations for their professionalism filled with kindness and care. In particular, I would like to thank Sarah Miller who, following the unexpected death of a close family member, showed nothing but sensitivity and empathy while simultaneously organising all the necessary arrangements. Sarah’s communication skills were both flawless and reassuring at a very difficult time and I will always be greatly appreciative.

Lisa Russell, on Google 4 Feb 2025

Delicately handled my husband cremation with care and thoughtfulness. Very informative through the whole process which can be a difficult and confusing time. The staff are very kind and considerate and helped me through the process Would definitely recommend

Jayne B, on Trustpilot 1 Feb 2025

Excellent Company had a fantastic lady Yasmin who helped and advised me through the process . The whole process from calling not long after my father in law passed away( no plan in place) and I had no clue what I was doing, Yasmin was excellent and made the stress go away. I would highly recommend this

Christine Haines, on Trustpilot 24 Jan 2025

Absolutely amazing service! kind, caring and nothing is too much trouble. They treated my relative as they would there own. It brought so much comfort to know that they was talking to him. Every detail was explained. He had the best send off and he would be so proud. Thank you distinct cremations.

Toni Stevens, on Google 22 Jan 2025

During this difficult time the staff at Distinct Cremations have been exemplary. They provided an immediate considerate service, kept me well updated at every point. I had a problem with the doctor’s certificate and they even contacted the surgery on my behalf multiple times to resolve the issue. The ashes were returned promptly with lots of notice by a member of their own team. Honestly I can’t recommend them enough, they served my dad with dignity. Then unfortunately only a few months later they help me arrange my mums cremation, going back to the same company speaks volumes and Maxine helped me through every step.

Neil Heath, on Google 22 Jan 2025

Very professional nice genuine people every single person from Daniel grace & I think it's maxine. Can't thankyou you enough on behalf of June carol & family it's what he wanted. We now have his ashes which will go with his parents & brother. Thankyou once again Kind regards Neil heath X

auburn forever, on Trustpilot 21 Jan 2025

absolutely fantastic company,Had a very helpful lady to help me all the way through the process from start to finish taking the stress off myself. Would highly recommend if you have no clue as to what to do in organising a funeral/cremation.

4.9/5

4.8/5

Read all our reviews

Frequently asked questions

How much does direct cremation cost in the UK?

The average cost of a direct cremation in the UK is £1,597 which is on average £2,688 cheaper than a traditional funeral with a service.* Direct cremation is the cheapest funeral option. At Distinct Cremations, a direct cremation costs £1,199.

* Saving of £2,688 is based on the cost of a traditional funeral at £4,285 vs direct cremation funeral at £1,597 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs

Why would someone need an oversized coffin?

An oversized coffin is for individuals who are too big for the average coffin width of 24 inches, 76 inches in length and 14 inches in depth. If the deceased is over 22 stone or 6 ft 5 or over, then an oversized coffin will be needed.

Can I attend a direct cremation?

Our direct cremations are unattended cremations which take place without mourners present. However, we do offer a Funeral Service with a choice of a 30 or 60 minute service. You can also choose to have the service led by the family or a professional celebrant.

Can you prepay for a direct cremation?

Yes, as long you are over 18 you can take out a prepaid funeral plan for a direct cremation. A prepaid direct cremation plan is an agreement set up between you and your funeral provider. The funeral can be chosen and paid for in advance, providing a straightforward way to organise your future and ensuring a direct cremation for you when the time comes.

At Distinct Cremations, we ask no medical questions and there are no screenings. You can see more on our funeral plans page.

Can I choose an urn?

All of our ashes are returned in a simple biodegradable container. For an additional cost, this can be upgraded to a casket or urn to keep, bury or scatter the ashes. Call us on 01543 211997 to discuss the options available.

What are the benefits of direct cremation?

There are many benefits to choosing a direct cremation. Direct cremations offer a respectful, uncomplicated cremation with no attendees present.

These are a few of the key benefits:

Families have flexibility over the farewell process so a loved one's life can be remembered in a personal and unique way.
Direct cremations are a cost-effective alternative to traditional funerals, allowing families to invest more in the farewell event with the money saved or prioritise their finances elsewhere.
Families of faith can hold a separate spiritual service instead of a traditional funeral.
A celebration of life event can be postponed until a later date when everyone involved is emotionally ready.
Busy and geographically scattered families have additional time to coordinate a gathering.

Direct Cremation Product Feature		Pure Cremation	Memoria
Price (not including extras)	£1,199	£1,395	£1,095
Bringing deceased into care in office hours from a hospital or coroner's office
Collection outside office hours or from a location other than a hospital or coroner's mortuary	£250 extra	£250 extra	£250 extra
Removal of pacemaker, medical implants or artificial limbs
Provision of standard coffin
No charge for oversized coffin			£250 extra
Transport of deceased
Notification of the date of the cremation
Crematorium fee included
Owns own mortuary and crematorium facilities
Personal return of ashes included	£100 extra		£100 extra
Ashes returned within 14 days			£175 extra

Compare direct cremation costs and features