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Sue Cook Talking About Attended Cremation

A Direct Cremation is suited for those looking for a simple alternative to a traditional funeral. No hidden costs and everything you need, our Direct Cremation takes place with no service or mourners present at our beautiful crematoria where dignified care is guaranteed.

Independent customer service rating of 4.9/5 on Feefo The UK’s largest direct cremation provider A caring and attentive team available on a 24/7 phone line Nationwide provider operating throughout mainland GB
Independent customer service rating of 4.9/5 on Feefo The UK’s largest direct cremation provider A caring and attentive team available on a 24/7 phone line Nationwide provider operating throughout mainland GB

Our Unattended Direct Cremation

Our Direct Cremation is a low-cost alternative to a traditional funeral that doesn't cut corners on quality, dignity and care.

Starting from £1,299, a Direct Cremation offers you the flexibility to celebrate your loved one's life at a time and place of your choosing, as there is no formal chapel service attended by loved ones.

When you choose a Direct Cremation with Distinct Cremations:

  • Your family will be informed of the cremation date (if desired).
  • The coffin will be brought into the chapel and rested on a raised platform as it would be for a family service.
  • A piece of music chosen by you or your family will be played while the coffin rests in the chapel.
  • The funeral operatives or chapel attendant will respectfully bow as the curtains close around the coffin.

Get a funeral quote

Looking to make funeral arrangements for the future?
Please see our direct cremation funeral plan.

One of our beautiful {{crematorium}} crematoriums in the UK

What's covered in an Unattended Cremation from Distinct Cremations ?

Our direct cremation service includes everything necessary for a respectful and dignified farewell, without the need for an attended ceremony. We handle every detail, from transportation to mortuary care and cremation, ensuring the highest standards at every step.

If you'd like any more information or any further guidance, you can speak to our team at any time.

Call now on 01543212000

What's included

  • An unattended cremation
  • Collection of the deceased from a hospital or coroner's mortuary (weekdays 8am - 6pm, mainland Great Britain only)
  • Daily care at our professional mortuary  
  • Preparation for cremation and removal of medical devices 
  • Dedicated support with arrangements and help with all legal paperwork
  • A classic wood coffin or larger coffin at no extra cost
  • Transportation to the crematorium chapel via private ambulance
  • Respectful presence of the chapel attendant or funeral operatives
  • The coffin rests in the chapel while music of your choice plays
  • Dignified cremation at one of our 41 nationwide crematoriums  
  • Temporary ashes container
  • Ashes scattered in the garden of remembrance at the crematorium
  • Free telephone bereavement support for loved ones
  • A donation to World Land Trust with every funeral to protect an area of endangered natural habitat the size of the average UK back garden

Can be included for an additional cost

  • Ashes personally returned by one of our funeral operatives within 14 days (+£100)
  • Collection outside office hours or from a location other than a hospital or coroner's mortuary (+£250)


Get a funeral quote

Important to note

Our funerals include all the essentials which means we do not offer a hearse, limousines, procession or viewing of the deceased as a part of our service.

For additional pricing information and a full list of our optional extras, please see our price list or our CMA standardised price list. For further details, please read our terms & conditions.

To make your funeral arrangements today call us on 01543 211997. Or if you want to make funeral arrangements for the future, please see our direct cremation funeral plan.

Beach celebration of life

Create a special farewell for your loved one

Choosing a Direct Cremation gives you and your family the flexibility to commemorate or celebrate a loved one's life in whichever way you like.

You may decide upon a large gathering of family and friends at the local community hall. You may opt for something more intimate like a family gathering at a loved one's home.

With a Direct Cremation, you can choose to commemorate your loved one whenever, wherever and however you please, to give your loved one the most personal and special farewell.

Memorial ideas for your loved one
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If you have any questions at all, our caring, compassionate team will provide you with all the answers and let you take your time to reach a decision. Then, whenever you need us, we can get your funeral arrangements in place.

Rhiannon Pearson, Team Leader

Call on 0808 271 5253

Our dedication to care and quality

With our direct cremation, our compassionate team will be on hand to give your loved one the most compassionate send-off. We are experts in direct cremations and our dedicated professionals will deliver a wonderfully caring funeral.

Our Team

Every one of our funerals guarantees:

  • Complete end-to-end service delivered by our teams:
    We use our own private ambulances, mortuary facilities and crematoriums. This means we look after your loved one personally at every stage to guarantee quality service.

  • State-of-the-art mortuary care:
    Our team meticulously prepare your loved one for cremation and care for them on a daily basis using the best mortuary technology.

  • A respectful farewell at the crematorium chapel:
    At our direct cremation service, an attendant or funeral operative is present whilst your loved one is brought into the chapel to your choice of music.

  • Ashes returned or scattered at the crematorium:
    The individually identified and tracked ashes can be hand delivered to you within 14 days or scattered at the crematorium.

How we care for your loved one

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
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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Read all our reviews
Cheryl, Gary and Wayne Eaton, on Feefo 26 Jun 2025
The team were incredible in guiding us through the difficulties, from the very first moment of contact, they were empathetic, understanding and patient, till the last contact ensuring we had the future support we might need. I can't recommend these guys highly enough. If you are looking for an end of life arrangement of least stress to your loved ones, then i'd always suggest Distinct Cremations. Thank you again Kerry for all your help and assistance.
Alan Harris, on Feefo 17 Jun 2025
Distinct Cremations provided a professional service for my Fathers cremation. Every discussion I had with their representative Sarah, was helpful and supportive. She clearly explained the entire process and made sure we understood all of the options at each stage. Losing someone is very painful and to have someone take care of the cremation with all of our selected options was a great comfort. I have already recommended Distinct to my family and friends who are considering this type of cremation.
Anonymous, on Feefo 16 Jun 2025
From the first contact we had with Distinct Cremations, they were compassionate, understanding and professional. Nothing was too much for them, making a difficult situation more bearable. Our contact, Grace was amazing. Would happily recommend them. Thank you
Kevin William Gallagher, on Feefo 16 Jun 2025
They were so caring and I had my doubts at first. So when my neighbour was very poorly. I discussed it with her and we agreed to go forward. So I rang them and from then I they put my mind at rest. When she passed away one phone call out of hours and everything was all it took. My neighbour was picked up in 2 hrs 30 minutes. This was around 2am. Then they helped me through every step of the way. The ashes were delivered to my door within 7 days. Everything was so dignified. I've enquired about mine when the time comes. Wish to Thank everyone for the service they gave me. The lady 79 years old involved had no children and no close family. Kind regards Kevin Gallagher
Anonymous, on Feefo 14 Jun 2025
Both my mum and dad took out these policy's, my dad passed last year and mum passed this year, distinct cremations dealt with everything professionally and with courtesy, everything my parents wanted was taken care of, the people were lovely and always on the end of the phone for anything, thankyou from the bottom of my heart for making a tought time for our family into a pleasant experience ❤️
Warwick Kevin Fisher, on Feefo 8 Jun 2025
Outstanding from start to finish..I would definitely recommend Distinct Cremations ...All communication was dealt with professionally and compassionately.
Anonymous, on Feefo 7 Jun 2025
Cannot fault the excellent service received, all the employees are lovely, professional while friendly and compassionate. Highly recommend them and especially our director Maxine for making such a sad, difficult time/task easier to deal with.
Anonymous, on Feefo 5 Jun 2025
Was a fantastic service and would definitely recommend to others. They keep you upto date with every process which was very much appreciated.
4.9/5
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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Read all our reviews

Looking for something different?

If our Direct Cremation doesn't suit your needs, you may be interested in one of our other funeral services. All of our funeral options are also available to be paid for in advance with a funeral plan.

Funeral Service

Our Funeral Service is a fully attended cremation which can last between 30 or 60 minutes depending on your preference.

Funeral service >>

Direct cremation funeral plans

Protect yourself from rising funeral costs by choosing and paying for a funeral in advance with our direct cremation funeral plan.

Funeral plans >>

Arrange a Direct Cremation

If you need to organise a funeral now, we are open 24/7 and will make all the arrangements from taking the deceased into our care and completing all the paperwork.

Your customer service specialists will liaise with you to make arrangements for the cremation and keep you updated.

Call us on 01543 212000