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A simple cremation is a farewell that is stripped back to the essentials, free of tradition, a procession, pomp and ceremony. With Distinct Cremations, you can have an unattended simple cremation or a cremation with mourners present.

The UK’s largest direct cremation provider Independent customer service rating of 4.9/5 on Feefo A caring and attentive team here for you and your family 24/7 Nationwide provider operating throughout mainland GB
The UK’s largest direct cremation provider Independent customer service rating of 4.9/5 on Feefo A caring and attentive team here for you and your family 24/7 Nationwide provider operating throughout mainland GB

What is a simple cremation?

A simple cremation is a low cost cremation for those looking for a farewell free of pomp and tradition. A farewell that is inclusive of the essentials, but nothing more.

Simple cremations include all the basics such as the collection of the deceased, the cremation itself and the return of the ashes, but they remove all the formalities such as the procession and ceremony.

Choosing a simple cremation instead of a traditional cremation lets you celebrate a loved one's life however you wish, with less stress and no fuss.

You can see the key differences between a simple cremation and a traditional funeral in more detail below.

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A simple cremation with Distinct Cremations

The contemporary, simple, fuss-free farewell, free of tradition

  • A choice of two options: an unattended cremation with no mourners present or an attended cremation
  • A compassionate, attentive team there 24/7 for your questions and support with paperwork
  • A service free of pomp and ceremony
  • You can organise a separate memorial service that's personal and unique to your loved one
  • On average 67% cheaper* than a traditional funeral, with prices starting from just £1,399


* 67% saving is based on the cost of a basic funeral at £4,285 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/ funeral-costs) vs the cost of a Distinct Cremations direct cremation at £1,399.

Traditional Funeral

Traditional funeral

A fixed format funeral, with a set service

  • A set format 20-50 minute service held in a traditional setting like a church or chapel with mourners present
  • Traditionally less personal and flexible
  • Option to have a procession with a hearse and limousines
  • Funeral and service coordination from a funeral director
  • Costs on average £4,285# for a basic funeral





    # The average cost of a basic funeral in 2024 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

What is included in a simple cremation?

  • An unattended cremation or an attended cremation
  • Collection of the deceased
  • Care at our state-of-the-art mortuary
  • Removal of pacemakers, artificial mechanisms and medical implants
  • Preparation of the deceased for cremation
  • Help with all legal and cremation paperwork
  • 24/7 support from our customer service team
  • Transport of the deceased via private ambulance
  • A simple coffin
  • Coffin rested in the chapel with a chapel attendant or funeral operative present
  • Respectful and dignified cremation
  • Temporary ashes container for easy scattering

What isn't included in a simple cremation?

  • A funeral procession
  • Embalming
  • Choice of cremation time
  • Special requests such as memorials, flowers, catering or obituaries
Distinct Cremations

Whether your loved one has died or you're planning for the future, we're on hand to deliver first-class simple cremations fulfilled with care and compassion.

Find our low cost cremation services below or alternatively you can view our price list or our CMA standardised price list.

Arrange a funeral

From £1,399

Whether your loved one has died or is close to passing, our team is available 24/7 to support and talk you through the next steps; from collection and care of your loved one, completion of all paperwork, to the day of the funeral itself.

 

Simple cremation plans

From £1,899 or £19.79** per month

Relax knowing that the arrangements are agreed and paid for. There are no medical questions and acceptance is guaranteed. You can also pay in monthly instalments.

** Price advertised is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £2,374.80 and includes administration fees.

Get in touch with us today

Whether you're wanting to arrange a funeral today, interested in funeral plans, or looking for something else, our customer service specialists are here for you 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.

Call on 01543 212 000

What does a simple cremation mean?

A simple cremation can mean different things to different people. It can be attended or an unattended funeral, it can include a service or not include a service. But one common theme is that a simple cremation includes little more than the essentials.

That means there is no procession, no limousine and no hearse. Instead, at our simple cremations, the coffin is taken to the crematorium via a private ambulance and rested on the catafalque by the funeral team.

The same care, dignity and compassion is dutifully carried out by the team from collection right through to the return of the ashes. But there are no frills and no extravagance. Just a low stress, no fuss funeral which costs on average 67% less*** than a traditional funeral cremation.

*** 67% saving is based on the cost of a basic funeral at £4,285 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/ funeral-costs) vs the cost of a Distinct Cremations direct cremation at £1,399.

Distinct Cremations

Arranging a simple cremation with Distinct Cremations is straightforward. If you need any help, our customer service specialists are available 24/7 for any of your questions.

1. Call us

You can call us any time of the day, 365 days a year, and we will collect the deceased from the place of death and bring them into our care.

Call on 01543 212 000

2. Paperwork guidance

Whilst we care for the deceased, our customer service specialists will contact the family to book the cremation and complete all the paperwork.

Our care for the deceased

3. Cremation and ashes

We will tell you the date of the cremation. The deceased's ashes then can then be returned to you at no extra cost.

Hand delivery of the ashes

One of the UK’s best value direct cremation services, delivered with a caring and compassionate heart

Not only are our low cost funerals carried out with love and care, but we also offer one of the UK’s best value services.

From your very first phone call, right through to the hand delivery of the ashes, you can rest assured that you will be in the most caring and attentive hands with Distinct Cremations.

Our caring team are here 24/7 to support you through the most difficult of times

Rhiannon Pearson

Team Leader

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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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Anonymous, on Feefo 4 Feb 2025
The price was very attractive and the booking process very easy
Kenneth John Brown, on Feefo 4 Feb 2025
Anonymous, on Feefo 4 Feb 2025
After losing 2 of my sisters recently it made me think about my own future and sorting out my funeral for when the time comes, as I did not want my children to have to arrange things in an already stressful time for them. I already knew that I wanted to have a cremation but I didn’t want the fuss, I was debating just having a a cremation with no mourners but after discussion with my children they would prefer if they could have a simple style funeral. I looked around and other company’s were offering pure cremations or full service. This is not what I wanted. Then I found Distinct Cremation who would do a cremation but with small number of mourners and no church service. Exactly what i was looking for. I emailed and asked all the questions that I needed and Nathan replied quickly putting my mind at rest. I then contacted him a couple of days later going over a few more details that I needed answering. Nathan’s professionalism was fantastic. Going through everything with me was so reassuring. I decided to take out two plans one for myself and another for my husband. As discussed we received a follow up courtesy call to confirm we has received the package and all was ok. I’m happy with my purchases and hopefully will take away the additional stress of arranging a funeral when the time comes. Thank you Distinct Cremation for making the whole process simple and easy to understand.
Jayne B, on Trustpilot 1 Feb 2025
Excellent Company had a fantastic lady Yasmin who helped and advised me through the process . The whole process from calling not long after my father in law passed away( no plan in place) and I had no clue what I was doing, Yasmin was excellent and made the stress go away. I would highly recommend this
Darren Hearn, on Google 1 Feb 2025
Distinct cremation. What can I say. Unbelievable service very comfortable talking to someone regarding your passing. It's not something ppl like to discuss. But they made the whole thing manageable thank you Distinct cremation.
Wendy Watts, on Google 31 Jan 2025
Easy to understand. Very helpful.
Anonymous, on Feefo 29 Jan 2025
I have only purchased a plan not actually used one
Susan Purkiss, on Trustpilot 28 Jan 2025
Wonderful Service through out Very personable professional and helpful. Explained every step and made the whole process simple and personal. Thank you.
4.9/5
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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