Many well-known figures have chosen a direct cremation, and the reasons are as varied as the people themselves.
For some, it was a wish to avoid public attention. For others, it was the opportunity to create a celebration of life that felt joyful and true to their character. A direct cremation gives families the freedom to decide what feels right without the pressure of a traditional service.
It also allows for highly personal choices, such as scattering ashes in a meaningful location, keeping them safe in a decorative urn, or combining a private farewell with a more public memorial.
Here are ten famous names whose decisions around cremation show how flexible and individual this option can be.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein, one of the most influential scientists in history, died on April 18, 1955, in Princeton, New Jersey, following an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He had declined surgery that might have prolonged his life, saying, “It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share; it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.”
Einstein’s cremation was carried out the same day at a small, private ceremony in Trenton, New Jersey. His ashes were scattered in an undisclosed location, thought to be close to the Delaware River.
Despite his extraordinary fame, Einstein made clear that he wanted a quiet and simple ending. His choice demonstrates how even those constantly in the public eye can ensure their farewell is private, dignified, and free from ceremony.
John Lennon
John Lennon was murdered outside his New York City home, The Dakota, on December 8, 1980. Two days later, his body was cremated at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale. His ashes were given to his wife, Yoko Ono, who chose not to hold a public funeral. Instead, they were scattered in an undisclosed location.
Rather than a traditional gravesite, Ono later created Strawberry Fields Memorial in Central Park. This peaceful spot has become a place for fans to gather and pay tribute.
The combination of a deeply private cremation with a public memorial shows the flexibility of direct cremation. Families can keep the intimate moments to themselves while still offering a space for others to remember and reflect.
If you are considering what to do with ashes, there are many options available. You can read our guide with over twenty ideas to inspire you.
Robin Williams
The actor and comedian Robin Williams passed away on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63. His ashes were scattered in San Francisco Bay, close to his home.
Robin’s death was a shock to many, and it later became known that he had been living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disease that is often linked to Parkinson’s. His family chose a very private cremation, keeping details away from the media.
Instead of focusing on the manner of his death, they encouraged people to celebrate his legacy and to learn more about the challenges of neurological conditions. This balance between family privacy and public awareness shows how a direct cremation can honour both personal wishes and wider causes.
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, died in London on September 23, 1939, after a long illness. His cremation took place three days later at Golders Green Crematorium. His ashes were placed in a Grecian-style urn gifted to him by Princess Marie Bonaparte, a close friend.
Later, his wife, Martha, was also cremated and placed alongside him in the same urn. Visitors today can still see the urn in Golders Green, a permanent reminder of their lives together.
This example shows that cremation does not have to mean scattering ashes. Some families prefer to keep them safe in an urn or columbarium, creating a physical place to visit and reflect.
Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin, the iconic rock and blues singer, died on October 4, 1970, in Los Angeles at the age of 27. She was cremated at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Mortuary, with her ashes scattered along the Californian coastline.
Her will included a unique request. She set aside 2,500 dollars for her friends to hold a party in her honour. The gathering at the Lion’s Share club in San Anselmo included music, drinks, and laughter, reflecting the spirit of her short but vibrant life.
Joplin’s farewell shows how a direct cremation can be combined with something joyful and deeply personal. Instead of a traditional funeral, her friends shared stories and celebrated her in the way she would have wanted.
If you are planning a celebration of life, music can play a powerful role. We have a guide with suggestions for songs that may inspire you.
George Harrison
George Harrison of The Beatles died on November 29, 2001, aged 58. As a devoted follower of Hinduism, he wanted his final farewell to reflect his spiritual beliefs.
His cremation took place at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, and his ashes were scattered in the sacred rivers of the Ganges and the Yamuna near Varanasi in India. These rivers are central to Hindu tradition and symbolise purification and liberation.
While his cremation was private, the following year a memorial concert was held at the Royal Albert Hall. Organised by his wife Olivia and his close friend Eric Clapton, it featured performances from many of Harrison’s musical friends, including Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Harrison’s wishes show how a cremation can be both deeply religious and widely public, offering a private ritual alongside a shared celebration.
Prince
The musician Prince died at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57. His ashes were placed in a custom-designed urn in the shape of Paisley Park itself, kept within the estate.
A private memorial for close family and friends was held shortly after his death. Since then, Paisley Park has been transformed into a museum and memorial space where fans can connect with his legacy, although the exact resting place of his ashes remains private.
Prince’s farewell shows how cremation can reflect a person’s individuality. His unique urn and the choice to keep him at home made his final resting place as distinctive as his music.
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld, the celebrated fashion designer, died in 2019 from complications related to prostate cancer. Known for his innovation and influence in the world of fashion, Lagerfeld had very clear wishes for his own farewell.
He asked for simplicity and privacy, and his ashes were scattered near those of his mother and his partner, Jacques de Bascher. There was no large funeral service, although the fashion world later held a grand memorial event attended by thousands.
His example shows that cremation gives the flexibility for families to keep intimate rituals private, while also allowing for separate public tributes.
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers, the pioneering comedian and television personality, died in September 2014 after complications from a medical procedure.
Her cremation was combined with a Jewish memorial service at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan. The ceremony included performances by Hugh Jackman and the New York Gay Men’s Chorus, and was attended by around 1,500 people.
Joan Rivers’ farewell blended her personal heritage with her public life, showing that a direct cremation can be part of a bigger, more theatrical event without losing its simplicity at the core.
Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger, the Australian actor known for his roles in Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight, died in January 2008 at the age of 28. His death was the result of an accidental overdose of prescription medication.
His cremation took place in Perth, Western Australia, with only close family attending. Afterwards, mourners gathered at Cottesloe Beach for a wake, where his ashes were scattered into the ocean.
Ledger’s family also held a memorial in Los Angeles, giving friends and colleagues in different parts of the world the opportunity to say goodbye. This approach shows how multiple ceremonies can support both family and friends in coping with loss.
If you are considering a celebration of life, you may find our guide helpful for exploring what feels right for you.
What these choices show us
Looking at the choices made by these well-known figures, a pattern emerges. Direct cremation offers privacy, flexibility, and simplicity. Families can decide whether to scatter ashes, keep them in an urn, or hold a memorial later.
For some, like Albert Einstein or Karl Lagerfeld, it was about keeping things simple and private. For others, like Janis Joplin or Joan Rivers, it was about creating space for joy, music, or a sense of theatre.
The important thing to remember is that there is no single correct way to say goodbye. A direct cremation allows people to make their farewell their own, balancing privacy with public remembrance, solemnity with celebration, or tradition with personal choice.
If you are thinking about your own arrangements or supporting someone else, you may wish to explore our free guide on funeral plans, where we offer clear, straightforward information that allows every person to create the farewell that feels right for them.
