Simpler send-offs. Brighter goodbyes.

Top questions people ask about direct cremation

What are the benefits of a direct cremation?

A direct cremation, or a cremation without a service, is typically more affordable than a traditional funeral. Many people choose a direct cremation because it also gives you more time and freedom to plan a memorial service or celebration of life that truly reflects the person who has died. 

What’s the difference between an attended cremation and a direct cremation?

An attended cremation resembles a traditional funeral, and is usually arranged by a funeral director. A celebrant or religious leader typically leads the service. They’ll talk about the person who has died, and the service may feature readings from members of the family, or music. 

A direct cremation is a cremation without a service at the crematorium. Instead, the ashes are either scattered in the garden of remembrance at the crematorium or returned to you. You’re then free to arrange a memorial service or a celebration of life at a time and place that suits you, if you want to.

After a direct cremation, some people plan a formal memorial service, and others prefer something informal, like a gathering of friends, a family meal, or a tree planting. Lots of people prefer direct cremations because it gives you the freedom to plan a celebration of life that better reflects the person who has died.

How much does an unattended direct cremation cost?

Our simple cremations without a service cost £800.

You may also need to pay:

• a doctor’s fee of £82 (except in Scotland) if a doctor confirms the cause of death instead of a coroner

• an urgent collection fee (£275), if we need to bring someone into our care urgently because they died somewhere without a mortuary, like a home or care home.

A card scattering urn and traditional oak veneer coffin are included in the £800 price. If you are planning to scatter the ashes, or a memorial or celebration of life, we also offer a range of urns, and young trees to plant in someone’s memory.

Who will return the ashes to me and how quickly?

You can choose to have the ashes scattered in the garden of remembrance at the crematorium, or to collect the ashes yourself.

Alternatively, Farewill can also hand-deliver the ashes to you, for a £50 fee. Hand deliveries to homes within 30 miles of the crematorium will take around 10 days and deliveries more than 30 miles from the crematorium will take around 20 days.

What can I do with the ashes after a cremation?

What you choose to do with the ashes once you’ve received them is a personal decision – and there’s no pressure to decide straight away.

Some people choose a beautiful urn to keep the ashes at home. Others choose a scattering urn so they can scatter the ashes at a special location – like a beach, forest or garden. You could also place the ashes at a columbarium or bury them at a crematorium. 

We also offer a tree planting urn, which provides the perfect conditions for a tree to grow. Some people find that planting a tree is a nice way for family and friends to gather and remember someone special.