Direct Cremation

What is a Direct Cremation?

Direct cremation has received much press coverage over the last few years, but it can sometimes be unclear exactly what is involved. So, what is a direct cremation? A direct cremation means that someone who has died is cremated without a service and without people in attendance. It is a straightforward way to make arrangements safely and gently after someone has died, particularly when a full funeral service is not felt to be necessary or appropriate. This type of arrangement differs from a traditional cremation funeral and may be suitable for those seeking a simpler, more private option.

There are lots of things to think about when planning an unattended cremation, even if you do not want to hold a separate memorial service. At Full Circle Funerals, our local funeral directors in Yorkshire know that there are good reasons why a cremation with no mourners present may be a better option than a traditional funeral service for you and your circumstances. It can be helpful to understand what is involved and how this approach differs from a formal funeral service before deciding whether it’s the right approach.

Our experts can help you to consider whether direct cremation services are the right option, and support you to make all the arrangements for the service you want. To learn more, or get help and advice with funeral arrangements, get in touch with our team today.

What Does a Direct Cremation Involve?

In a simple direct cremation, the person who has died will be brought into the funeral director’s care until the time they are taken to the crematorium. The process of direct cremation in the UK involves a brief meeting with the funeral director to complete the statutory paperwork required for the cremation – this is usually face-to-face but can be over the telephone or using video. Rest assured that this meeting can be short if that is your preference, making the process efficient, gentle and respectful.

The process of how to arrange a direct cremation is as simple as filling out this paperwork. You might be asking, how does direct cremation work, and what does direct cremation include? It includes a cremation taking place at a local crematorium, but it does not include a formal service and usually you do not have the opportunity to spend time with the person who has died before the cremation.

Some people decide to hold a separate memorial service, and this can be arranged in the same way as any other memorial service. You can find out more information about funeral plans and arrangements on our site, or by getting in touch.

What Is an Enhanced Direct Cremation?

When you choose a simple direct cremation, this does not include the chance to spend time with the person who has died beforehand. At Full Circle Funerals, we understand that this time might be important for some families, so we also offer the option of an Enhanced Direct Cremation, which allows for a private moment of farewell.

If you are looking for more options, consider exploring direct cremation services and direct cremation plans that provide various levels of care and support, ensuring your specific needs are met. Please see below for more detail about what is included in Full Circle simple and enhanced direct cremations.

Full Circle – Simple Direct Cremation

£1,595 including third-party costs. The full costs should be fully paid before the day of cremation. We will:

Bring the person that has died into our care during office hours. There would be an additional charge of £250 if this needs to take place outside of these hours.

Provide a simple coffin – for larger coffins then there may be an additional charge (depending on size). Due to our commitment to the environment, this may be a cardboard or jute coffin.

Transport the person directly from our funeral home (in a private ambulance) to a crematorium of our choice and arrange for a cremation at a time of our choosing. You will not be able to be present for the cremation. If you wish to attend the cremation, we offer a cremation funeral service that might be better suited to your needs.

Provide a cardboard ecobox container for the ashes, which you can collect from us. If you would like to choose a different container for an additional charge, we can support you to find the right option for your needs.

Full Circle – Enhanced Direct Cremation

The cost for this enhanced direct cremation service is £1,995. The full costs should be fully paid before the day of cremation.

Sometimes people may think that a direct cremation is the right decision for their circumstances but feel that there are some small additions that they would like to make to make it meaningful for them. For such situations, we can offer an enhancement to the Direct Cremation service.

In addition to everything included in our simple direct cremation, this also includes the options in the list below. Please note that there is no choice of vehicle and this does not include placing a newspaper advert, online tribute or arranging flowers.

Full personal care for the person who has died. This can include obtaining fingerprints and locks of hair, if that is what you would like.

A coffin, as detailed above. A different coffin can be selected (and you will be charged for the difference in price). There may be an additional charge for larger coffins.

A cardboard ecobox ashes container, which you will need to collect from us. As with the simple cremation, you can choose and purchase a different container for this purpose.

● The opportunity to spend 15 minutes at one of our services on the day of the cremation for final moments with the closed coffin, prior to departure to the crematorium.

How Can Full Circle Funerals Help?

Working with a funeral director to arrange a cremation service can help to make sure you get the right options for your needs. At Full Circle Funerals, we can discuss your priorities – whether that’s a personalised service or low-cost funeral options – and help you to understand all the options that are available. From traditional funerals to direct cremations and more, we have an experienced, dedicated team who can help to meet your requirements.

If you’re considering direct cremation services, we are happy to help you understand what is involved in a direct cremation service, compare direct cremation costs to other options and guide you through how to organise a direct cremation. For those curious about direct cremation plans and what is a direct cremation UK, feel free to get in touch for more information and personalised assistance.

Why Choose Full Circle Funerals?

At Full Circle Funerals, our experienced funeral directors know how to balance funeral costs with the needs of the person making the arrangements, and can help you to organise the right service. We have a strong reputation for our eco-friendly approach and deliver services throughout Yorkshire and beyond. Our thorough knowledge of environmentally sound practices means that we have advised on green funerals across the UK.

Whether you want a low-cost direct cremation service or something with an element of customisation, we can support you to understand the options that are available. Full Circle Funerals offer a strong range of options and our enhanced direct cremation offering is popular as it creates the opportunity to spend time together, without needing to arrange a full funeral service. . We’re also committed to providing full breakdowns of funeral costs based on our discussions about your needs, so you can balance your priorities and find the perfect service.

Whether you’re wondering how to organise a direct cremation, how to arrange a direct cremation or simply exploring “what is a direct funeral?”, we are here to assist with all your needs.

The arrangements were tailored to our needs, they were modern and allowed us to carry out my husband’s wishes of a non-conventional funeral

– Anon

My Uncle had chosen a direct cremation prior to passing as he did not want an expensive funeral. We thought a direct cremation would mean we wouldn’t have much option to personalise but Full Circle allowed this to happen.

– Steph

FAQs About Direct Cremation Plans

What is the difference between cremation and direct cremation?

The main difference between cremation and “direct” cremation is the absence of a service with attendees. Direct cremation allows for a simple process, and is considered the most low-cost cremation service for this reason. However, this doesn’t mean that it has to be impersonal and you can still pay a respectful farewell to the person who has died with a direct cremation. If you’re researching direct cremation UK options, we can provide a clear understanding of the differences between the options that are available and help you to find the right option for your needs.

How much is a direct cremation?

Direct cremation is sometimes viewed as a low-cost cremation option because costs are typically lower than those associated with a traditional funeral. At Full Circle Funerals, direct cremation costs start at £1,595, or £1,995 for an enhanced service that has more room to spend time with the person who has died and participate in other meaningful activities. There may be additional costs for options like a presentational urn, or a larger coffin where necessary. We can discuss your needs and the affordable funeral options available to help you find the right service within your budget.

Can you attend a direct cremation?

Another common question is, can you attend a direct cremation? Generally, direct cremations do not involve attendees, but we offer other flexible options to meet your preferences. A traditional funeral or cremation may be a better option for your needs, but we can discuss what you want from the funeral you are arranging and help you to find the best options.

Our direct cremation funeral plan provides peace of mind and allows for arrangements to be made in advance, which can help to provide reassurance and enable you to discuss and understand what the service will involve.

Can you plan a direct cremation and have a separate funeral service?

Some people would prefer to have a separate send-off for someone who has died, while entrusting the care of their body to our experienced team. It’s certainly possible to arrange a direct cremation, and then to have a separate memorial service at another location where you can remember and celebrate the person you have lost.