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. A direct cremation can also give you more time and freedom to plan a memorial service or celebration of life that truly reflects your loved one. 

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

An attended cremation resembles a traditional funeral. A celebrant or religious leader will typically lead the service, and it is often arranged by a funeral director. They will talk about the person who has died and the service may feature readings or music. The person who has died will then be cremated.

A direct cremation is a cremation without a service. The person who has died will be cremated, and their ashes will either be scattered in the garden of remembrance at the crematorium or returned to you. You are then free to arrange a memorial service at a time and place that suits you, if you want to.

You can read more about the difference between an attended and a direct cremation in our guide.

Our simple cremations without a service cost £800.

You may also need to pay:

• a delivery free of £50, if you choose to have the ashes hand-delivered, to anywhere in the UK

• 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, but if you’d like an alternative urn or coffin, there will be additional fees. Our alternative urn prices start at £75 and our alternative coffin prices start at £250.  You can find out more about average funeral and cremation costs in our guide.

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, but if you’d like an alternative urn or coffin, there will be additional fees. Our alternative urn prices start at £75 and our alternative coffin prices start at £250. 

You can find out more about average funeral and cremation costs in our guide.

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?

Your loved one’s ashes can be collected from the crematorium after the cremation. Many people choose to keep their loved one’s ashes in an urn at home, while others may choose to scatter the ashes at a meaningful place. 

You could also place your loved one’s ashes at a columbarium or bury them at a crematorium. 

There are lots of other things you could do with your loved one’s ashes to honour them, for example scattering them with a firework display.

Read our guide for more ideas on what to do with ashes.