Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, single payments and instalments up to 12 months are held in a secure Trust which is managed by independent trustees. For 5 & 10 year instalment plans we purchase a “whole of life” policy from Scottish Friendly - an authorised and regulated insurance provider. The proceeds of that policy will be used to pay for your chosen cremation at the time of need.

Yes, it is possible to plan your own funeral and doing so has a number of benefits. With our [location] funeral plans, you can pay for your funeral in advance to relieve your family of the financial burden when the time comes. Funeral planning ahead of time also gives you and your family peace of mind about what will happen and leaves no uncertainty about your wishes. Once your funeral plan in [location] is set up the price is set so you are protected from any future rises in funeral costs.

You’ll typically receive your documents within five working days of taking out the plan.

The simplest type of funeral is an unattended direct cremation. However, there are attended funeral options.

An attended funeral lets family and friends say their final goodbyes in person as part of the grieving process but keeps arrangements affordable.

Unnecessary extras like hearses, limousines, embalming and viewing of the deceased are not included to keep costs low and funeral arrangements straightforward.

Though a direct cremation with Distinct Cremations takes place without a service or mourners, the coffin is still respectfully taken through the front door of the crematorium chapel. The coffin is then set down in the crematorium whilst a piece of music chosen by the family is played. After this, the cremation takes place.

Following the cremation, we can scatter the ashes in our garden of remembrance or personally return them to the family within 14 days if preferred. Visit our how it works page for more details about our direct cremation services.

A doctor's fee of £82 used to be charged by the doctor who verified a death. This fee was for the preparation of the legal cremation paperwork. However, as of 9th September 2024, the Government has changed the way deaths are verified. As a result, families no longer have to pay any doctor's fees when arranging a cremation for their loved one.

There is a legal requirement to independently measure emissions emitted by a crematorium annually. These must be submitted to the local authority as evidence of permit compliance. Data from the Westerleigh Group demonstrates their crematoria are operating well below the set legal limits for emissions to air.

Westerleigh Group is committed to being net zero by 2032 and this is being achieved by operating modern abated cremation equipment in addition to a programme of retrofitting older equipment. In 2024, Westerleigh Group was abating 83% of all cremations* carried out across 41 operational sites which is an improvement from the 70% recorded in 2022 and far exceeds the government targets of 50%.

*Figures submitted to Crematoria Abatement of Mercury Emissions Organisation (CAMEO)

A direct cremation is the most straightforward and simple way to say goodbye. If you're looking for a fuss, worry and tradition-free funeral, with little stress and low expense, then a direct cremation may be the perfect solution for you.

Get in touch with us for personalised guidance on how a direct cremation could be the right choice for your needs. Call us on 01543 211997 today.