Frequently Asked Questions

With Distinct Cremations, it will take approximately 2-4 weeks to arrange the funeral. This includes the completion of the necessary paperwork and the cremation itself. Once the cremation has taken place, the ashes will be personally returned by our team within 14 days.

There are lots of things you can do with the ashes. Many people scatter ashes in a place that was special to the deceased, some keep them in an urn as a keepsake and others have recently started to have ashes turned into jewellery or glass.

When taking out one of our [location] funeral plans, it's completely understandable to want the security that your money is being looked after and the assurance that your funeral will go ahead. Distinct Funeral Plans Limited (DFPL) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). See our Keeping Your Money Safe page for full information about how we keep our funeral plans safe.

Our direct cremations are unattended cremations which take place without mourners present. However, we do offer a choice of small attended cremations where up to 8 mourners can attend a 10 minute service or up to 20 mourners can attend a 20 minute service.

The Westerleigh Group are the parent company of Distinct Cremations. Together, we are one of the UK’s largest cremation providers. The Westerleigh Group have owned and managed a network of private crematoria within the UK for over 30 years.

Last year, 24% of all funerals were unattended funerals without mourners present. 4% of funerals were direct burials and 20% of funerals were direct cremations. Direct cremations especially have risen in popularity in recent years as in 2019 they accounted for just 3% of funerals.^[1]

^[1] In 2023, 20% of funerals were direct cremations and 4% of funerals were direct burials. In 2019, 3% of funerals were direct cremations. (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

The coffin is burned with the body of the deceased inside the cremator.

All of the necessary services required for your cremations are in your initial costs. However, on occasion there may be additional costs. You can read the full list of additional services for more information.