There are many different types of funeral available, from direct cremations to traditional funerals. Take a look below at the types of funeral services available in the UK today, and the funeral types we offer at Distinct Cremations.
Funerals no longer have to be traditional affairs. In 2024, you and your loved ones have the opportunity to say goodbye in whichever way you please by choosing a type of funeral that suits your family.
Traditional funerals remain the most common option, but there are now more fuss-free, cheaper options available such as direct cremations which have risen sharply in popularity in recent years - in 2019, direct cremations were favoured by just 3% of the UK population, by 2023, that had risen to 20%.* A direct cremation is a simple cremation that is usually unattended without any mourners present and on average is 66%** cheaper than a traditional cremation funeral.
There are also the emerging eco options, like woodland burials and eco burials. Currently these don’t have a widespread availability, but they are rising in popularity and availability.
| Non-traditional funeral | Traditional funeral | Green funeral | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service style | Flexible, informal | Formal, structured | Eco-friendly, minimalistic |
| Venue | Any location | Chapel or Church | Natural burial site |
| Attire | Your choice | Formal | Your choice |
| Tone | Personal and unique | Traditional and solemn | Nature-focused and serene |
| Cost | Often lower | High | Often moderate, can be high |
| Planning | Highly customisable | Structured, requires professional help | Flexible, but requires professional help |
| Environmental impact | Depends on choice | High | Minimal |
| Cultural fit | Great for individual expression | Aligns with tradition | Appeals to eco-conscious values |
* SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
** 66% saving is based on the cost of a basic funeral at £4,141 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/ funeral-costs) vs the cost of a Distinct Cremations direct cremation at £1,399.
A non-traditional funeral breaks away from conventional norms, offering flexibility and freedom to create a farewell that truly reflects the personality, beliefs, and passions of your loved one.
These funerals are not bound by specific rituals or formal settings, allowing for creativity and individuality in every detail - from the location to the tone and style of the service. Whether it’s a casual gathering in a favourite spot, a themed celebration, or an intimate ceremony with close family, non-traditional funerals provide a deeply personal and meaningful way to say goodbye.
When saying goodbye, it's natural to seek solace in the traditions we've grown up with. But as our lives are marked by individuality, it's equally important to honour the unique way our loved ones lived with an appropriate goodbye that's personal to them.
Below are some non-traditional funerals that will do exactly that, to allow you and your loved ones to celebrate life with respect and the personalised touch that every memorable goodbye deserves.
What is a direct cremation? It is a cremation without a service and without mourners.
Families instead prefer to have a celebration of life or wake at a time and place that suits them.
The popularity of direct cremations has also risen significantly over the last five years. According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report, the percentage of people choosing direct cremations has risen by 500%*** from 2019 to 2023. This highlights just how direct cremations are becoming a widely accepted alternative to traditional funerals, partly due to their affordability, simplicity, and flexibility.
*** 500% rise based on 3% of UK population choosing a direct cremation in 2019 vs 20% in 2023 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)
Direct cremation
Some direct cremation providers offer small pared back and family-led services too. These may be referred to as attended direct cremation.
Like a direct cremation, an attended direct cremation is simple and lower cost, but has the added benefit of being able to say goodbye to your loved one in person.
This option allows family and friends to witness a brief farewell at the crematorium, often without the traditional structure of a full service. The atmosphere can be intimate and reflective, with attendees choosing how to personalise the moment - whether with a few words, a piece of music, or a moment of silence. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a balance between simplicity and the need for a physical goodbye.
Attended cremation services
A direct burial is similar to a direct cremation where there is no service and no mourners. The only difference being that instead of being cremated, the body is buried in the ground.
Direct burials are more expensive than direct cremations as a physical plot of land is required and a headstone or memorial plaque may need to be purchased.
Additionally, with a direct burial, families can visit the gravesite later to pay their respects, providing a permanent place of remembrance. This option may appeal to those who prefer the idea of a traditional burial but wish to keep the process simple, private, and free from formal ceremonies.
Traditional funerals are still favoured by the majority of people in the UK. A traditional funeral usually has a fixed format and can last anywhere between 20-50 minutes depending on the type of tradition that is adhered to. Hearses and limousines are usually included within a traditional funeral, as is help and coordination from a funeral director.
Here are three common traditional funeral options:
A traditional cremation is inclusive of a service and is open to as many people as the crematorium can hold. It's ideal for someone looking for a formal cremation, but it is more expensive than a direct cremation.
Depending on the family's wishes, a traditional cremation may also include a procession with hearses and limousines. The service typically follows an order of proceedings, starting with an opening welcome, followed by eulogies, readings, and music.
Families often select meaningful readings, such as poems or religious passages, to reflect their loved one’s life and beliefs. Music is another key element, with choices ranging from classical pieces to contemporary songs that hold special significance.
A traditional burial is similar to a traditional cremation in that it includes a service, a ceremony, mourners and a procession depending on the family's choice. However, it differs from a cremation as the deceased is placed in the ground at a gravesite with a headstone, and therefore is often more expensive.
Families may also have the option of including personal touches such as floral tributes, the lowering of the coffin, or a final farewell moment where mourners can offer their last respects before the burial takes place.
The ceremony is usually led by a religious or secular officiant, depending on the deceased's wishes, and may include prayers, hymns, or symbolic rituals, such as lighting candles. The burial site often becomes a permanent place of reflection and remembrance for family and friends, offering a physical memorial that can be visited for years to come.
A religious funeral is presided over by a religious leader to guide the mourners through the service - this could be a burial or a cremation. However, much of what takes place at a religious funeral depends on the family or the deceased's faith.
The service itself often includes specific rituals, prayers, and hymns that are meaningful within the chosen religious tradition. For example, in Christianity, this may include Bible readings, hymns, and a eulogy, while a Hindu funeral may involve rituals such as the chanting of mantras or the lighting of a sacred fire.
Depending on the deceased’s faith, the body may be dressed in religious garments, and symbolic acts such as the anointing of the body or the offering of flowers may occur.
Though green funerals are still not widely available in every county in the UK, there is a growing appetite for a more environmentally friendly farewell as people become more conscious of their carbon footprint.
Below are a few ways people are having green funerals in the UK:
A woodland burial is an environmentally friendly way of laying the body in the ground by using a biodegradable coffin or casket. They come with the option of a ceremony or procession.
For those looking for an environmentally conscious but traditional farewell, a woodland burial is the perfect choice. However, woodland burials aren't available nationwide so it's worth looking to see if they're available in your area before choosing this option.
A tree pod burial allows the deceased to be buried in the foetal position in a biodegradable pod. The pod is then buried with a tree planted above acting like a headstone.
A tree pod burial is the most eco-friendly way to be buried or cremated, but unfortunately it isn't available in the UK right now.
A water cremation isn't currently offered in the UK but is likely to become available soon. Popular in other parts of the world, with a water cremation the body is placed in a pressurised tank and pressed into powder.
It's a very eco-friendly way to be cremated, however it can be costly.
At Distinct Cremations, we understand the profound impact of saying goodbye to a loved one.
While the funeral ceremony may feel like a significant milestone, the journey of remembrance extends beyond that. And for those who choose the path of a direct cremation, finding meaningful ways to honour and cherish memories becomes paramount.
Following a direct cremation, many families like to have a memorial service at a place special to the deceased or have something made up to remember them by. From having a memorial service at the local pub to having a custom piece of jewellery made in a loved one's honour, memorials offer a tangible connection to the cherished departed loved one.
Some additional ways to memorialise your loved one include:
For more information or inspiration, read our memorial service guide.
At Distinct Cremations, we pride ourselves on providing low cost funerals that provide simplicity and dignity. We offer a variety of options that cater to your preferences, whether you're seeking a straightforward service or a more personalised farewell.
Our No Fuss Funeral and Just Cremation services are ideal for those who wish to keep things simple and cost-effective. For those who prefer something more personal, our Non Traditional Funeral service gives you the flexibility to design a service that fits your loved one’s unique life, without the formality of a traditional funeral. Alternatively, we offer Simple Cremation options, which allow families to hold their own memorial at a later time.
Below we've also provided some information for those looking for a Non-Religious Funeral or seeking a choice between Direct vs Traditional Cremation, giving you the chance to select what works best for your family. At Distinct Cremations, we're here to ensure you receive the service you need at a cost you can manage.
At Distinct Cremations, we take care of all the arrangements. From arranging the funeral to making sure all your paperwork has been filled in correctly. From the collection of the deceased, right through to the hand-delivery of the ashes. And everything in between.
With expert guidance on-hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our customer service and funeral teams at Distinct Cremations will help with all your funeral arrangements as you need them, when you need them.
Funeral planning is never an easy task, but our team can help ease the load.
We’re here for you 24/7. You can call us on 0808 134 5865 before a passing to give you and your loved ones time to prepare or you can call us when the time comes. All we need from you is some basic information to start getting your cremation arrangements in place.
Our caring team will collect the deceased from anywhere in the mainland UK, whether your loved one is at home, in a care home or at a hospital. The deceased will be then taken to our professional mortuary facilities before cremation.
We will prepare your loved one for cremation, bathe them, remove any artificial items and dress your loved one upon request. We will then lay them to rest in the coffin, transport them to the crematorium and we will inform you of the date of cremation.
The cremation will take place at one of our 41 crematoriums in the UK. The coffin is taken through the front door, rested on the catafalque while a song of your choice is played or a moment of silence is respected, then the cremation takes place.
The ashes will be hand-delivered back to you within 14 days or scattered in the garden of remembrance upon request. You may then like to arrange a memorial service or celebration of life to toast the life of your loved one.
Whether you're wanting to arrange a funeral today, interested in affordable prepaid funeral plans, or looking for a direct cremation, our customer service specialists are here for you 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
At Distinct Cremations, we provide no fuss cremations and cheap cremations which are simple to arrange, affordable and delivered with care, dignity and respect.
Arrange a funeral
A prepaid funeral plan gives you peace of mind knowing that funeral costs are covered. Acceptance is guaranteed with no medical questions, and plans start from just £1,899.
Funeral plans
We guide you through the steps of a low cost cremation, from bringing the deceased into our care to the hand delivery of the ashes, while keeping you in touch each step of the way.
How it worksNot only are our funerals carried out with love and care, but we also offer one of the UK’s best value services.
From your very first phone call, right through to the hand delivery of the ashes, you can rest assured that you will be in the most caring and attentive hands with Distinct Cremations
Our caring team are here 24/7 to support you through the most difficult of times
Rhiannon Pearson
Team Leader
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.
Oak Tree Court, Brookfield Drive, Cannock, WS11 0JN
