Reading direct cremations

Need to arrange a funeral in Reading? Our Reading funerals are delivered with the utmost care and start from just £1,199. Arrange a simple no-fuss funeral at our Reading crematorium.

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 funeral provider operating throughout mainland UK
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 funeral provider operating throughout mainland UK

At Distinct Cremations, we specialise in compassionate and straightforward funeral arrangements. Unlike more traditional Reading funeral directors, our attended or unattended funerals prioritise simplicity and affordability, but like any funeral director, care and dignity are our utmost priorities.

As part of the Westerleigh group, our network of UK crematoria provides over 70,000 cremations each year including Reading direct cremation funerals and the fulfilment of Reading funeral plans. Our West Berkshire crematorium is ideally situated 12.5 miles from Reading town centre for those organising a funeral in Reading, Thatcham, Pangbourne, Tadley, Newbury and the surrounding areas across Berkshire.

Our caring and compassionate customer service specialists are available to help you arrange a funeral 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01543 211997.

On this page

Distinct Cremations

Choosing a direct cremation instead of a traditional funeral 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 direct cremation and a traditional funeral in more detail below.

Group toasting a friend's memory

A funeral with Distinct Cremations

The contemporary, simple, fuss-free farewell

  • A choice of two options: an unattended cremation with no mourners present or an attended cremation
  • A compassionate 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 71% cheaper* than a traditional funeral, with prices starting from just £1,199


* 71% saving is based on the cost of a basic funeral at £4,141 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/ funeral-costs) vs the cost of a Distinct Cremations direct cremation at £1,199.

Arrange a funeral today
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 or limousines
  • Funeral and service coordination from a funeral director
  • Costs on average £4,141# for a basic funeral





    # The average cost of a basic, funeral in 2023 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)
Distinct Cremations

We’re here for you whether you are looking for our direct cremation services today or planning for tomorrow.

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

Arrange a Funeral

From £1,199

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.

 

Funeral Plans

From £1,699 or £19.44** 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 £2,332.80 and includes administration fees.

Low Cost Funerals In Reading

Our Reading funeral services take place at West Berkshire Crematorium which is a 32 minute drive from Blagrave St, Reading RG1 1QH.

To arrange a funeral, call our compassionate team on 01543 211997

Address not found - make sure your search is spelled correctly. Try adding a city, county or postcode.

12.5 miles from Reading
West Berkshire Crematorium Bath Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG19 4LD

Parking (76)
Toilets
Pets Allowed
Disabled Access
Hearing Loop
Webcast

Nearby Locations

Our Reading funeral services are also available to all those in the surrounding areas and across mainland UK. Wherever you are, you can feel reassured that your loved ones will be professionally and compassionately looked after.

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
Anonymous, on Feefo 21 Nov 2024
I found the whole experience easy. Everything was taken care of and all my queries and questions answered. It has taken a weight off my mind and also saved my family a lot of work at a time when it’s hard to think straight. I can relax now knowing everything is in good hands .
Anonymous, on Feefo 20 Nov 2024
Great smooth service. Always keep you up to date and carried out my Dad’s wishes exactly how he wanted.
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.
4.9/5
Feefo logo
4.9/5
Google g icon
4.8/5
Trustpilot logo
Read all our reviews
Sue Cook Talking About Direct Cremation

Distinct Cremations leave out the funeral fuss and needless extras but leave in great service and a wonderfully caring attitude. That’s why my instinct is Distinct.

Sue Cook, TV Presenter

Call on 01543211997

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

Not only are our 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

Alex on White
Rhiannon P v3
steven customer service

If you are struggling to afford the costs of a funeral, you could be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment from the government to help you pay.

If you are not eligible for this financial help but would like low cost funeral services in Reading, our simple cremation funerals prioritise affordability without compromising on care. Our direct cremation funerals without attendees are available from just £1,199. Alternatively, if you and your family would like the tradition of saying a final goodbye, our attended cremation services costs from £1,599.

The most affordable funeral option available is a direct cremation funeral. This is a cremation that takes place without any mourners present. Our respectful direct cremation funeral services in Reading start from just £1,199. Prior to the cremation, the coffin is rested in the chapel with a chapel attendant present and a chosen piece of music can be played. The cremation then takes place and the ashes are personally returned to the preferred family member or friend.

If you are planning ahead for your own funeral, our Unattended Direct Cremation Plan for £1,699 is also available to those in the Reading area. You can pay for this funeral plan upfront or flexibly in instalments if you would like to spread the cost.

Our Reading funeral services let you arrange a funeral from your own home. You can research and choose the funeral option that suits you best on our website, then give our experienced and empathetic team a call on 01543 212000. Whilst our funerals can be arranged without needing to visit any physical premises, we have a nationwide network of 40 crematoriums so can provide flexibility in where our attended cremations are held.

Many of the traditional costs and formalities of a funeral are not necessary and can be removed in favour of a simple funeral. Our funeral services in Reading offer compassion at a low cost. For those looking for a funeral without fuss, direct cremation is the simplest option as it is a completely unattended service. Our direct cremation starts from just £1,199. Or if you and your family would like to be present at your loved one's funeral service, our attended cremations from £1,599 are pared back to the essential funeral elements and carried out with the utmost respect.

When you begin researching funeral services in Reading you may find the prices are higher than you expected. It's important to remember that a meaningful and personal send-off does not need to be expensive, adhere to tradition or contain any pomp and ceremony.

At Distinct Cremations, we offer simple, fuss-free Reading funeral services so you can avoid paying for costs associated with a funeral that you may not want. For example, we transport the deceased in our own private ambulances so you don't have to hire costly hearses or limousines. We also provide simple and respectful coffins and ashes containers rather than ornate options which can be expensive.

Our most affordable Unattended Cremation service starts from just £1,199 and takes place without mourners present so you can say goodbye to your loved one in your own time in a way that reflects their life instead. Or if you would like to be present at the cremation to pay your respects, our Intimate Cremation costs from £1,599.

Have Any Questions?

Have Any Questions?