Why simple direct cremations are increasing in popularity
“We’ve worked all our lives and we want our children to have that money to do something to remember us in their own way,” Janet Jones told the BBC in February.
Janet, 70 from Norfolk, was talking about how she and her husband were favouring a simple, direct cremation instead of a traditional funeral.
“They are so selfless and they don’t want us to be burdened with massive funeral costs,” said her daughter Bridie, speaking about her parents. “It’s what they want.”
It’s an opinion being shared by an increasing number of people in the UK. In 2018, just 2% of UK funerals were direct cremations. Today that percentage stands at 18% and is increasing every year.
The cost compared to a traditional send-off is a significant reason for the uptick in popularity. In 2022, the average price of a direct cremation was £1,511 compared to £3,673 for a traditional cremation.
Added simplicity & flexibility
But it’s not just the cost that is making people favour direct cremations. It’s the simplicity, the flexibility and the personal touches that can be added along the way.
A direct cremation is when the deceased is cremated without a funeral service, with the ashes being delivered to the family in the following days.
With a direct cremation, the family can then arrange their own memorial service in a place of their choosing. This could be at a traditional venue like a church hall, or something less traditional and more personal like a favourite pub, a family home or even somewhere outside like the beach or in a park.
A more personal touch
Isobel from Kingswinford did something similar for her father, Donald, in 2019, booking a room in a registry office and celebrating Donald’s life with some readings and by playing his favourite song – New Horizons by The Moody Blues.
“It was immediate family only, it felt more appropriate for the children than a funeral would have done. It was lovely, intimate and true to his wishes, but also met our need to say goodbye,” she says.
“It couldn’t have been a more perfect send-off, and we’ve all agreed we want something similar when our time comes too.”
For many years, direct cremations felt like stepping outside the norm. But now with almost a fifth of the UK population favouring something more simple and personal, direct cremations are becoming a favoured option for many.
With Distinct Cremations, one of the UK’s leading direct cremation providers, you can get a direct cremation which is inclusive of all the essentials: collection and care of the person who’s died, a coffin, the cremation itself, the personal hand delivery of the ashes, plus much more.
A funeral plan is perfect for those looking to ease the financial burden and emotional strain of arranging a funeral for their family. Prices start from £1,699 with acceptance guaranteed and no medical questions.
At Distinct Cremations the focus is on making the arrangements as easy and stress-free for each and every family they come into contact with, so the family can concentrate on being together with their nearest and dearest during the most difficult time.
“The compassion they showed and the attention to detail even for a cremation only shows the kind of people they are,” said one of Distinct Cremations’ customers, Craig, in February 2023.
“Thank you all for taking such care of me and my Mum through this process.”
Visit distinctcremations.co.uk or call 0808 304 8759 for more information.
Distinct Cremations’ is a trading style of Distinct Funeral Plans Limited (DPFL) and Distinct Cremations Limited (DCL). DFPL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 965289. DCL provides ‘at need’ funeral and cremation services and is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
ADVERTORIAL
