Please call us free anytime, 24/7 If someone has died, please call us free anytime, 24/7
Direct Cremation Floral Banner With Blue Sky

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 £1,199, 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
rhiannon-at-desk 1

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
Feefo logo
4.9/5
Google g icon
4.8/5
Trustpilot logo
Read all our reviews
Carolyn Ann Bradford, on Feefo 14 Apr 2025
What an amazing young lady that helped me I hate all things like this and Sophie helped me so much with my Anxiety. It is a pleasure talking to someone who is so kind.
Pamela Osborne, on Feefo 14 Apr 2025
I felt I was dealt with in a caring and respectful manner everything explained beautifully and what a lovely crematorium again with lovely staff made what was a very sad time into something gentle and peaceful with no worries would recommend this service to anyone
Anonymous, on Feefo 13 Apr 2025
Easy to arrange, cleat details of plan, friendly customer service.
Anonymous, on Feefo 8 Apr 2025
Very professional, sensitive and knowledgeable service. It’s never easy to discuss or plan your end of life with loved ones, however we feel that we have finalised ours with the help of Distinct cremations. You have answered any question we had about the processes once we have passed, which we can now share with our loved ones. We both feel confident that this will make these difficult times less stressful for loved ones.
Ray Charles Tarbie, on Feefo 8 Apr 2025
NOW I CAN TRUST MY LIFE WITH DIRECT CREMATION IN PEACE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING MY NEED.
Anonymous, on Feefo 5 Apr 2025
Anonymous, on Feefo 4 Apr 2025
Alexandra Jayne Dewsbery, on Feefo 4 Apr 2025
I would just like to say A particular thank you to Kerry from Distinct cremation and to Chris Tabor the celebrant who led my dads service in westerleigh crematorium. From the very first contact Kerry has been so kind , thoughtful and helpful and knowledgeable in what is a very sad and difficult time in arranging a funeral. I was in the know all the time , the communication and organization was superb to the start to the very end. We had a lovely Send off for my dad ( albeit very emotional day ) Kerry highly recommended Chris who was very kind and thorough about getting to know my dad and told my dad’s story very very well on the day , the entire family were highly impressed with Chris and the service. So a huge thank you to both Kerry and Chris I
4.9/5
Feefo logo
4.9/5
Google g icon
4.8/5
Trustpilot logo
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