One of the questions people have when considering a pure cremation is: Will it make grief harder?
You may have heard concerns that without a traditional funeral, there’s no real opportunity for closure. For some, that idea can feel unsettling – especially at a time when everything already feels uncertain.
But when you look more closely at the research, it tells a different story. Direct cremation – and pure cremation in particular – is chosen by a growing number of families across Britain, and the evidence does not support the idea that it leads to worse grief outcomes.
Do funerals affect grief outcomes?
Research led by Professor Kate Woodthorpe, alongside wider studies in the field, suggests there is no evidence yet to show that funeral choices and grief outcomes are connected.
What this means is that while funerals can be meaningful, there isn’t strong evidence to show that having a traditional service leads to better grief outcomes. Grief is influenced by many things – your relationship with the person who has died, the circumstances of their death, and the support you have around you.
In other words, there isn’t a single event that determines how you process loss. This helps challenge a common belief that without a formal funeral, something essential is missing. For many people, that simply isn’t the case.
This view aligns with broader shifts in bereavement research. The traditional “five stages of grief” model – originally developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in the 1960s as a framework for terminally ill patients, not bereaved people – has long been questioned by researchers as an oversimplification. More recent thinking, including the Continuing Bonds Theory developed by Klass, Silverman, and Nickman, emphasises that grief is not about achieving closure through a fixed ritual, but about maintaining a meaningful connection with the person who has died over time.
“Our research with funeral directors' clients, conducted before the pandemic, indicated that there wasn't a strong connection between the funeral and long(er) term grief outcomes,” says Professor Woodthrope.
“What we don't know, however, is the impact a funeral may or may not have on all the other people (beyond the funeral director's client) who attend or would expect to attend. What I can observe more broadly is that attitudes towards people coming together and ritual, its purpose and anticipated benefit, are changing and funerals are shifting accordingly,” she continues.
If you’d like to explore this in more depth, we discuss this research and what it means for families in The Pure Podcast: How changing attitudes are reshaping funerals, where Professor Woodthorpe shares insights from over 20 years of studying death, grief, and funeral practices.
Is a funeral really about “closure”?
The idea of closure is often closely linked to funerals. But in reality, closure doesn’t usually come from one moment.
It tends to build over time – through shared memories, conversations, and gradually adjusting to life after loss.
Research also raises an important question: is a funeral mainly about grief, or about bringing people together?
Professor Woodthorpe says: “Funerals and funerary customs are often regarded as a way to say goodbye to the person and/or their body and, for people of religious faith, as a way to transition the person into what comes next.
“Closure is more of a psychological idea, though, and I see funerals as much more than a psychological process: they are a social event, a way of affirming culture, and displaying particular beliefs. They can have really positive value too, about community, belonging, and new beginnings.”
For some, a traditional funeral provides a space to gather and support one another. But that sense of connection doesn’t have to happen in one specific format, or on one specific day.
As Professor Woodthorpe explains in the podcast, funerals are changing as wider social habits change – including how we connect, communicate, and support one another.
What matters most is not the structure, but whether people feel supported and able to remember someone in a way that feels right.
Understanding what is meant by a ‘direct cremation’
A direct cremation – sometimes called a simple or unattended funeral – is a cremation that takes place without a ceremony at a crematorium or church.
Direct cremation has grown significantly in the UK in recent years. According to industry data, it now accounts for approximately one in five funerals – up from just 3% in 2019. Part of this growth reflects changing attitudes, and part reflects a practical reality: many families simply want something simpler, more affordable, and more on their own terms.
In recent years, many providers have begun offering what they describe as direct cremation. At first glance, these services can seem similar. But there are important differences in how they are carried out.
In many cases, a direct cremation is still arranged through a funeral director. That means families may still pay funeral director fees, and the person who has died may be cared for across multiple locations by multiple providers before the cremation takes place.
Some providers also keep costs low by simplifying elements that families may not initially think to ask about – such as the type of coffin used, how ashes are returned, or what is included in the price.
Understanding these differences can help families make a more informed choice at a time when clarity really matters.
How a pure cremation is different
A pure cremation is also a cremation without a traditional ceremony, but the way it is delivered is different.
Families come directly to Pure Cremation, without needing a funeral director. From the moment someone is brought into our care, they remain with the same team, in our own state-of-the-art facilities, until the cremation takes place, before the ashes are returned back home.
For many families, that continuity offers reassurance. It means there are no handovers between different providers, and everything is handled by the same dedicated team. Every family also has their own dedicated Pure Care Companion: a single point of contact throughout the whole process. We know that not having to repeat painful details or feel passed between departments can make a real difference at an already difficult time.
Because there is no ceremony at the crematorium, families have the freedom to arrange a personal send-off at a time and place that feels right for them.
That might be a small gathering, a celebration of life, or a quiet moment shared later – when it feels emotionally and practically right to do so.
Can you still have closure without a funeral?
A common concern is whether a pure cremation means missing out on closure.
But closure isn’t something created by a single ceremony. It develops over time and looks different for everyone.
With a pure cremation, families often have more space to decide how they want to say goodbye. Without the pressure of arranging everything within a few days, they can take time to create something more personal.
That might mean bringing people together later, when everyone can attend. It might mean choosing a setting that held meaning for the person who has died. Or it might simply mean remembering them in a quieter, more private way.
There is no single path through grief – and no single way to find closure.
Grief support: Where to find help
Regardless of how a farewell is arranged, grief can be an isolating experience. If you are struggling after a bereavement, speaking to someone can make a real difference.
In the UK, a number of organisations offer free and confidential bereavement support:
- Cruse Bereavement Support offers a free helpline, online chat, and local support groups for anyone dealing with loss.
- Sue Ryder provides online bereavement counselling and a community forum where you can connect with others who have experienced loss.
- Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 116 123, if you need someone to talk to.
- Child Bereavement UK supports both children and families when a child or a parent dies.
A different way of coming together
For many people, traditional funerals provide comfort, familiarity, and a clear moment to come together.
But what we are seeing is a shift. Families are finding new ways to gather, remember, and support one another – often in ways that feel more personal and less pressured.
A pure cremation can make that possible by giving families more time, more flexibility, and more choice.
The most important thing to remember
At a time of loss, it’s easy to feel there are expectations – or even rules – about what you should do.
But the research offers reassurance. Choosing a pure cremation does not mean you will grieve “worse” or struggle to find closure.
What matters most is having the space to process your loss, the support of those around you, and the freedom to remember your loved one in a way that feels meaningful to you.
