Cremation process UK
Discover everything you need to know about the cremation…
7 min
Yes, you can be cremated without a funeral. The ‘funeral’ part of a cremation is completely optional.
Whilst most people opt for a traditional send-off with a ceremony, this isn’t going to suit everyone.
In fact, there’s a growing demand for no funeral, just cremation services in the UK.
Your funeral director can help you arrange this type of cremation (typically known as a direct cremation).
It’s usually much cheaper than having a traditional funeral and it can offer more flexibility for the family.
At Reassured, we can’t help you arrange a cremation, but we can help you arrange life insurance to help towards future cremation costs.
Continue reading as we explain the ins and outs of having no funeral, just cremation…
Compare over 50 life insurance [help cover cremation costs)
If you’re worried about how your loved ones will cover the cost of your cremation, then you may consider over 50 life insurance (also known as an over 50s plan).
Over 50s life insurance is a type of policy which guarantees to pay out a cash lump sum to your loved ones upon your death.
You can secure up to £20,000 of cover, depending on your personal circumstances and budget, and you’re guaranteed to secure a policy if you’re aged 50 - 85.
The main benefit is that if you have a pre-existing medical condition, then this won't affect the cost of your premiums.
Contact the life insurance experts at Reassured today for your free, no-obligation quotes.
A cremation without a funeral is usually called a direct cremation.
It may also be called a cremation without ceremony, an unattended cremation or cremation only funeral.
A direct cremation is when the person who’s passed is taken directly to the crematorium to be cremated and the family don’t attend.
Some key facts about direct cremation:
More and more people in the UK are choosing not to have a funeral service before a cremation.
It’s growing in popularity because traditional aspects of a funeral are becoming more expensive and less appealing to modern families.
No funeral, just cremation could be a good option for you if you’re looking for a fuss-free, low-cost final farewell.
Most funeral directors can help you arrange this type of cremation as they can provide the required services, including:
There may be some limitations to a cremation only funeral, for example loved ones may not be able to:
As with a standard funeral, your funeral director or professional funeral planner can help with all the arrangements for a direct cremation.
They can provide you with support and guidance for each step following the death.
This is usually what happens when there’s a direct cremation:
Depending on the funeral director and type of direct cremation you choose, it may be possible for a few close family members to be present for the cremation.
Or there may also be the option to hold a simple family-led service in the crematorium chapel with the coffin before it’s removed for the cremation.
Some families choose to hold a separate memorial or celebration of life after the ashes have been returned.
This frees them from the structure of a traditional funeral service, allowing them to say goodbye in their own way.
Not necessarily. In the UK, a body must be cremated with either a coffin or a shroud.
A shroud is a cloth, made from natural materials such as cotton, bamboo or wool, which is wrapped around the body.
If you don’t want to purchase a coffin for a cremation, then a shroud is the less expensive option.
Alternatively, you may consider non-traditional or eco-friendly coffin options. These are made from bamboo, wicker, willow and cardboard.
Based on recent data, a direct cremation in the UK costs (on average) £1,498[1].
However, the actual cost will depend on various factors such as the location of the crematorium and which services are included.
In comparison, the average cost of a standard cremation funeral is more than double at £3,795.
Most people also choose to include additional extras, such as flowers, when arranging a traditional send-off.
This can add several thousands of pounds to the cost of a standard cremation funeral.
Therefore, opting not to have a funeral could be the right option if your loved ones would have trouble covering this expense.
Direct cremation | Cremation | Burial |
---|---|---|
£1,498 | £3,795 | £5,077 |
Source: SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024
Life insurance can help to provide financial help for your loved ones during a difficult time.
If you’d like to leave behind a guaranteed cash sum to help pay for your cremation, then you may consider an over 50s plan.
Contact Reassured to learn more about this type of cover, and to secure our best quote.
Direct cremation offers a simple and affordable alternative for people who don’t want to have a traditional funeral.
Elements such as a hearse, limousines, pallbearers and a structured ceremony may not appeal to some.
Here are some of the reasons you may opt for no funeral, just cremation:
When there’s no funeral, you can memorialise and pay tribute to a loved one in other ways.
For example, you can:
The main difference between a traditional cremation funeral and a direct cremation is the funeral service and ceremony.
With a cremation funeral, a service takes place up until the cremation, which tends to include a procession with a hearse and pallbearers.
A ceremony would be held at the crematorium or church, led by a minister or celebrant, and attended by loved ones.
There may be funeral tributes such as flowers, music, photographs and a eulogy.
Whereas, with a direct cremation, there’s no funeral service or ceremony before the cremation and loved ones don’t attend.
However, similar to holding a wake after a funeral, family and friends may hold a memorial service following the cremation where they can pay tribute to the deceased.
The table below shows the services which tend to be part of a traditional cremation funeral and a direct cremation:
Services | Traditional cremation | Direct cremation |
---|---|---|
Advice and guidance from a professional funeral planner |
|
|
Collection, transportation and care of the deceased |
|
|
Choice of time and date for cremation |
|
|
Choice of crematorium |
|
|
Choice of coffin |
|
|
Family viewing at the chapel of rest |
|
|
Hearse or choice of alternative vehicle |
|
|
Funeral procession with option to have limousines |
|
|
Ceremony at church or crematorium chapel on the day of cremation |
|
|
Wake or memorial service following the cremation |
|
|
Many people take out life insurance to help cover their funeral costs in the future.
If you have a partner or children who rely on you financially, or who would struggle to afford your funeral, then you might consider life insurance.
There are different types of policies available, including:
Provides a guaranteed pay out when you pass away, and requires no medical information when you apply.
Provides a cash pay out if you pass away while the policy is active, but requires your medical information when you apply.
Provides a pay out when you pass away, but requires your medical information when you apply. Available through Reassured's advised team.
Reassured can help you compare free quotes for any of these policies, so get in touch today.
[1] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs/