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Cremation costs differ depending on how elaborate or simple you would like the funeral you're arranging to be.

At Distinct Cremations, our focus is to provide simple and affordable cremation funerals with no compromise when it comes to dignity and compassion. Give our respectful team a call for more information about our services.

How much does cremation cost?

In 2023, the average cost of cremation in the UK amounted to £3,795[1], which gives an indication of how much you could expect to pay.

The cost of cremation will vary depending on location, beliefs, and whether you'd like a traditional or simplified send off. For instance, cremation costs will be higher for an elaborate funeral compared to something more simplified or alternative.

Whichever type of funeral you choose you can make it unique to your loved one with personal touches.

[1] The average cost of a cremation in 2023 was £3,795 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

Burial and cremation costs compared

Average UK burial costs - £5,077

What to do if someone dies in England_ wild flowers

Burials cost £5,077[2] on average, making this the most expensive option when comparing this to typical cremation costs.

Average UK cremation costs - £3,795

 borders crematorium

The average UK cremation costs £3,795[3] which gives an indication of how much you could expect to pay.

However, whether you're organising a funeral for a loved one or planning ahead for yourself, cultural, religious or personal preferences may affect the price.

Average direct cremation cost - £1,498

Sue bench with funeral plan guide

A cheaper alternative to traditional funeral options is a direct cremation, which takes place without a funeral service or mourners in attendance.

Direct cremation costs £1,498[4] on average and can make it simpler to arrange a funeral at a difficult time.

Instead of bringing your family together for a traditional service, direct cremation allows you to remember your loved one in a personal and unique way instead.

[2] The average cost of a burial in 2023 was £5,077 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

[3] The average cost of a cremation in 2023 was £3,795 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

[4] The average cost of a direct cremation in 2023 was £1,498 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

A Distinct Cremations cremation - from £1,199

At our direct cremation, or just cremation service, the deceased rests in the chapel whilst a song of the family's choice is played before the cremation takes place.

This service is conducted without attendees, which keeps costs low and allows families the freedom to celebrate in their own personal way.

Alternatively, we offer a simple attended cremation service which gives the chance for close family members and friends to pay their respects.

To arrange a direct cremation, speak to our caring team on 01543 211997 today.

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Cremation cost by region

As well as the type of cremation you choose, the local region also has an impact on the average cost of a cremation funeral. Those who live in Greater London can expect to pay the most whereas cremations in Scotland are the most affordable.

Those living in a more expensive area may like to consider a nationwide funeral provider. Paying for a funeral with a provider that has one set price for their services throughout the UK could work out cheaper than paying a local funeral director.

Region Average cremation cost[5]
Greater London £3,200
South East £3,092
West Midlands £2,917
South West £2,750
East £2,670
Yorkshire & Humber £2,668
North East £2,641
East Midlands £2,639
North West £2,608
Wales £2,497
Scotland £2,435

[5] Costs according to independent research carried out by Legal & General in 2022

What is the cheapest cremation option in the UK?

The most affordable cremation option is a direct cremation, averaging at £1,498, which is £2,297 cheaper than a traditional cremation[6]. This offers an alternative for those who want to keep funeral costs low. You can have a dignified and direct cremation with Distinct Cremations or a simple attended service.

Providers like Distinct Cremations offer dignified, direct cremations, including options for attended services. Find our services below or alternatively you can view our CMA standardised price list.

[6] The average cost of a direct cremation of £1,498 in 2023 vs the average cost of a basic funeral £4,141 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

Unattended Cremation

From £1,199

Our unattended cremation is a great choice for those looking for a simple, low-cost unattended cremation without a funeral ceremony. Unattended cremations take place with no service or mourners present at our high-quality crematoria where dignified care is guaranteed throughout.

Attended Cremation

From £1,599

Our attended, personal cremation is perfect for those looking for a fuss-free farewell and a final chance to say goodbye. With our dignified and affordable attended cremations you can have up to 8 people attend a 10 minute service or up to 20 people attend a 20 minute service.

Both of our services include only what's necessary to keep cremation costs affordable but deliver care and compassion at every stage.

We collect your loved one, care for them at our professional mortuary, carry out the cremation and personally hand deliver or scatter the ashes. We also support you with completing all of the necessary paperwork.

Even if you were planning to spend money on a larger send off, having a direct cremation frees up funds to be used elsewhere instead.

  • You may like to gift the money to your family to give them more financial stability.
  • The money could be used to celebrate the life of your loved one in a way that reflects their hobbies and interests.
  • You could even donate the money to the hospital, hospice or care home that looked after your loved one in life.

Breakdown of cremation costs

There are some cremation fees you will need to pay regardless of the type of cremation and funeral provider you choose.

Different funeral providers include different funeral costs in their prices, so shop around to find a funeral provider that includes what you would like, without you having to pay for additional extras that you don't want to use.

Necessary cremation costs

Signing papers
  • Crematorium fees
  • Death certificate - £11
  • Coffin
  • Transport of the deceased to the crematorium

Optional cremation costs

Dark Coffin With Flowers On Top
  • Plot to bury the ashes
  • Urn
  • Celebrant
  • Pallbearers
  • Flowers
  • Orders of service
  • Embalming and viewing of the deceased
  • Death notice/obituary

If you would like to have a wake or celebration of your loved one's life, there will be additional costs involved with arranging this too.

Choosing a cremation provider

Choosing a funeral provider who specialises in the funeral you want can help to minimise your cremation costs and the support they offer can also bring you great peace of mind.

  1. Look into how funeral providers differ from one another. You can compare direct cremation providers via our comparison table.
  2. Read reviews to see other people's experiences of the providers you're considering. We're proud to say our customers' reviews on the independent rating site Feefo give us a 4.9/5.
  3. Don't feel rushed to make an instant decision. Take your time to digest your options. For more detailed information about our services, our free funeral guide is available to download online.

Two People Holding Hands Caringly

Get in touch with us today

If you'd like to chat with someone to explain the details about our cremation services at any point or you have specific questions you'd like to ask, please do get in touch. We're here to support you.

Call us on 01543212000

How to reduce cremation costs

If you're looking to reduce cremation costs, there are several things you can do to keep expenses low. Here are some tips to minimise cremation costs.

Financial support

Worried that funeral costs will stretch your finances? There are many different ways to pay for a funeral and depending on your financial situation there may be help available to you.

  • If you already receive some governmental benefits, you could also be eligible for support with paying for a funeral.
  • Depending on your profession or the profession of your loved one, there may be charity support available to you too.
  • If your loved one had money or assets these can be used to cover the funeral costs. It can take time to access these funds though so payment will most likely need to be made in another way in the meantime.

Funeral plans

One way to set your mind at rest about cremation costs is with a cremation plan which is a funeral plan specifically for a cremation. Funeral plans let you choose and pay for a funeral ahead of time and can help alleviate financial concerns.

  • You know exactly how much the funeral will cost, removing any doubt and giving you clarity.
  • You can either pay upfront in a single payment or spread the cost via monthly payments to make the individual payments more affordable.
  • Even if funeral prices rise in future, the price of the funeral plan won't change so you will be protected from inflation and won't have to pay any extra.

Direct cremation

You could also choose a direct cremation, which is the most affordable option. This option eliminates the need for embalming, viewing, and a formal service, significantly reducing costs. Families can then hold a memorial service at a later date, which can be more personal and flexible in terms of location, timing, and personalisation.

Want to learn more? Read our guide: What is a Direct Cremation?

Other useful resources

Continue your research to keep your cremation costs affordable and find a funeral service that suits your preferences. Or give us a call to discuss our cremation funerals on 01543 212000.

How to have a low cost funeral

Wallet On Wooden Table

Still concerned about cremation costs? There are several steps you can take to minimise your funeral expenses. Explore the different ways to keep costs as low as possible.

See more about low cost funerals

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Arrange a respectful and affordable funeral for your loved one with the help of our experienced team who can guide you through the process and answer your questions.

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Learn more about direct cremation

Pure cremation costs

Interested in arranging a cremation without a funeral for a loved one or for yourself in the future? Find out more about how direct cremation works and the benefits.

Explore cremation without a funeral

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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Susan Constable, on Feefo 13 Nov 2024
We have purchased these, it gives peace of mind for your children to know everything is sorted.
Margaret McCluskey, on Google 12 Nov 2024
The people at Distinct Cremations were all so kind and very helpful. They always had answers for all of my questions. I received my partners ashes when they were promised with a half hours notice before they were actually delivered, which was nice.
Anonymous, on Feefo 12 Nov 2024
None of the family (or wider circle of friends) had experienced this type of service prior to this occasion. Kerry Ludlow was so helpful & kind during such a difficult & emotional time. The whole process went really really smoothly & was exactly as we had hoped for. Kerry’s help with the paperwork & suggestions, we hadn’t thought of, was very very much appreciated. At such difficult times, it’s hard to make decisions & think of things, but we were all so very grateful for the care offered & given. The crematorium at SirHowy was very peaceful, with lovely open spaces. Anna our chapel attendant on the day was also very very lovely & so kind, as was the gentleman (I’m so sorry we didn’t take or remember his name) who assisted us when we collected our Dad’s ashes. The whole process went so smoothly, please pass on our gratitude to Kerry, Anna & everyone concerned. Thank you very very much .
Anonymous, on Feefo 11 Nov 2024
I am deeply grateful to the staff at Distinct Cremations for their kindness and compassion during this process. From start to finish, they handled every detail with great care and respect, giving my husband a beautiful farewell. Also a special thank you to Sarah Miller for her professionalism and care. Their support and gentle guidance provided immense comfort, and I truly appreciate their dedication to making this experience as smooth and meaningful as possible. Thank you for helping me honor his memory with dignity and peace." Mrs G padfield
Anonymous, on Feefo 10 Nov 2024
Team Distinct Cremation especially Kerry for making this difficult time for us easier you meet all our needs Thankyou so much for your support.
Elizabeth Byrne, on Feefo 9 Nov 2024
Courteous service from start to end. All questions were answered promptly. It was very reassuring to know that my friend was in good hands and I didn't need to do anything until his ashes were returned to me.
Rory Mullins, on Google 9 Nov 2024
I recently lost my sister and Distinct Cremations were fantastic. I dealt with one lady all the time and she provided great support and updated me all the time. Cannot praise her enough.
Ian Prout, on Feefo 9 Nov 2024
I lost my dad on the 20th spet 2024. I had no idea where to start only what he wanted. I done some research and found Distinct Cremations but looked into there feedback first before I decided. I contacted Distinct due to it being a family run company. I spoke to a lady called Kerry who was FABULOUS. Kerry took me through everythink inc the process from start to finish. As you can imagine i was feeling really upset but as soon as I started speaking to Kerry she made not only feel alot better but I new my dad was going to be really looked after which made me feel alot more settled which towards the end of the call Kerry had me smileing and laughing which my Dad would have loved. Kerry kepted in touch all the way and the first thing was how am I, am I ok. What i also liked is I didnt feel like Dad was just a number and the conversation wasn't read like a sales person would do off a sheet of paper trying to sell you something eg like a robot. Nothing was to much trouble i even got to send photo's up to Kerry which was to be placed into Dad's coffin with him. I also got to choose a beautiful made woodern Box to keep my Dad's ishes in which was not expensive and i'm so glad I opted for as its beautifuly made. Ishes got delivered by hand to which I had a call to let me know what time. The gentleman who dropped the ashes off a big credit to him also as he asked about dad and that also made me feel happy as he didn't know me or dad but he said it was a pleasure to bring Dad to me which give me that nice warm in my heart. I would like to Thank everyone at Distinct Cremations for looking after Dad but most of all to Kerry and all that she done for me your all amzeing and Thank You for taking care of my Dad for me ***
4.9/5
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