Cremation is a familiar and widely accepted choice for many families in the UK today. But this hasn’t always been the case. If you go back less than 150 years, cremation was a rare and often misunderstood option.
Now, it’s the most common way people in the UK choose to say goodbye, whether planning for themselves or someone they love. What might come as a surprise is just how long and complex the journey has been to reach this point. The history of cremation is full of turning points, shaped by science, society, and shifting beliefs.
When did cremations start in the UK?
Cremation is one of several funeral options available today, and it has a long and varied history. In fact, the earliest recorded cremation took place more than 20,000 years ago. Ancient civilisations such as the Greeks practised it regularly, but here in the UK, cremation didn’t start to gain ground until the late Victorian era.
One of its earliest champions was a doctor named Sir Henry Thompson. He believed cremation was a vital sanitary measure, particularly important in a time when cities were becoming increasingly crowded. To help promote the idea, he founded the Cremation Society in 1874.
Five years later, the Society bought land in Woking, Surrey, and built the UK’s first crematorium in 1879.
The first official cremation took place there in 1885. It was for Jeanette Pickersgill, a respected figure in both literary and scientific circles. By the end of that year, two more cremations had followed, all overseen by the Cremation Society of Great Britain.
Sir Henry himself was cremated in 1904. Before then, he had seen several more crematoria open and a steady rise in the number of people choosing this option.
Interestingly, cremation remained a legal grey area for quite some time. In 1882, a physician named William Price was prosecuted for cremating his deceased son. He successfully argued in court that there was no law explicitly banning cremation, a decision that helped pave the way for the Cremation Act 1902. When William Price died, his own cremation was witnessed by a crowd of 20,000 people. Despite some early resistance, cremation is now the most common choice in the UK.
Religion and cremation
For many people, religious beliefs help guide the choice between burial and cremation. Different faiths have their own traditions around death. Some include cremation as a preferred option, while others don’t allow it at all.
Christianity
Traditionally, Christianity favoured burial over cremation, based on the belief that the body should remain intact for the resurrection at the Second Coming. However, attitudes have shifted over time, and today cremation is generally seen as a personal choice. It has never been strictly forbidden, and the Bible does not explicitly prohibit it. Some denominations do ask that ashes be buried in consecrated ground, in keeping with their customs.
Catholicism
For much of its history, the Catholic Church was firmly against cremation and even excommunicated those who authorised or took part in it. This was based on long-standing beliefs about the body and resurrection.
In 1963, the Church changed its position and lifted the ban. Today, cremation is considered an acceptable choice for those of the Catholic faith.
Judaism
In traditional Jewish practice, cremation is not permitted. Burial is a deeply held requirement, rooted in the belief that the body and soul are reunited after death. The body is treated with great respect and care, and Jewish law calls for it to be buried in the earth, ideally within 24 hours.
Islam
Under Islamic law, cremation is prohibited because it is considered a violation of the dignity of the human body. Funeral rites for followers of Islam are prescribed by divine law. The dead must be buried as quickly as possible, preferably within a day of death.
Buddhism
Buddhism considers cremation to be an acceptable practice and not in conflict with the tenets of the religion.
If a body is to be cremated, Buddhist monks or the family perform the last rites on the day of cremation.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, cremation—known as Antim Sanskar, or the last rite—is an essential part of saying goodbye. It’s believed that offering the body to Agni, the Hindu god of fire, helps purify the soul and guide it towards the next stage of existence. Cremation is seen as a way to help the mind and life energy gently detach from the physical body, allowing the spirit to move on peacefully rather than remain close to loved ones left behind.
The growing popularity of cremation
Funeral trends changed significantly through the 1960s and 1970s, with cremation becoming more and more common. By the 1980s, over 65% of funerals in the UK were cremations. As the new millennium approached, there were 242 crematoriums across the country, and more than 430,000 cremations were taking place each year.
According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, the breakdown of funerals in 2024 showed that 25% were burials, 55% were cremations, and 20% were direct cremations.
Direct cremation in particular has grown rapidly in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 restrictions when traditional services were limited. The simplicity and privacy of this option has also appealed to some well-known figures. David Bowie’s choice of a direct cremation brought wider public attention to this increasingly popular alternative.
How a cremation is conducted
For many people, cremation still feels like a bit of a mystery. This can understandably lead to concerns or confusion. But knowing what really happens can offer peace of mind and help ease any worries.
Here’s a general outline of how a cremation takes place:
- The funeral provider brings the person who has died to the crematorium where they are placed in a coffin. A funeral service may take place at the crematorium, if one is planned.
- After the service, or when the time is right, crematorium staff take the coffin into the cremation area.
- When it’s time for the cremation to begin, the coffin is placed into a specially designed chamber, where high heat reduces the body to bone fragments. This part of the process usually takes about 90 minutes.
- Once the cremation is complete, the remaining fragments are carefully collected and allowed to cool. Any metals—such as surgical implants—are removed.
- The remaining fragments are then ground into a fine ash and placed in a container, ready to be returned to the family.
Environmental impact
More and more of us are thinking carefully about the impact we have on the planet—how we travel, what we buy, and how we reduce waste. But it’s also worth considering the environmental footprint of what happens to our bodies after we die.
It may surprise you to know that a traditional funeral can have a significant effect on the environment. For example, it can involve:
- Chemicals used in embalming
- Fuel burned by hearses and other cars bringing mourners to the service
- MDF coffins, which can include solvents and adhesives
- Plastic handles and leakproof linings
- Large amounts of paperwork and administration
- Materials used for coffins
- Granite for headstones
- Grave digging, which can release carbon that’s been stored in the earth
No funeral option is completely impact-free, but some are gentler on the planet than others. Although detailed data is still limited, many people are surprised to learn that direct cremation tends to have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional burial or cremation services. That’s largely because there’s less travel, no need for ceremonial vehicles, and the process can be more efficient overall, especially when digital paperwork is used.
That said, the final stage of cremation—what happens to the ashes—is also worth thinking about from an environmental point of view.
Cremated remains are naturally alkaline, which means they can harm soil, plants, and wildlife if scattered carelessly. While many people choose to scatter ashes in a meaningful place, it’s important to do so with respect for the environment and always with permission from the landowner. Taking a thoughtful approach helps protect the places we love for the future.
The rise of direct cremation funerals
The environmental benefit isn’t the only reason more people are choosing direct cremation.
The COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 played a big role in increasing the number of direct cremations, but the trend was already growing steadily before then. Greater public awareness of this simple, no-frills option is one factor, but there are several other factors why people choose direct cremation:
Affordability
According to the SunLife Cost of Dying 2025 report, the average UK funeral cost is £4,285. A direct cremation can cost around £2,000 less than a traditional funeral. Because there’s no hearse, no funeral director fees for the ceremony, and no service at the crematorium, choosing a direct cremation could leave more funds available for your family or a personal send-off.
Simplicity
Direct cremation can be an easier and less stressful way to handle someone’s remains, giving families more time to consider how they want to say goodbye.
Efficiency
Arranging all the details of a funeral soon after a loss can feel overwhelming. A direct cremation can be arranged simply and quickly, with the provider handling all the practical steps. This gives you more time to be with grieving family and friends and to plan a meaningful celebration of life when you’re ready.
Freedom to choose
There’s no pressure to follow tradition. Direct cremation gives families the freedom to create a personal memorial or celebration of life, in their own time, and in a way that feels right for them.
Easier for families spread across the country
When loved ones live far apart or overseas, arranging a funeral at short notice can be stressful and expensive. A direct cremation allows everyone more time to plan and gather without the logistical rush.
Simpler paperwork and fewer arrangements
Because direct cremation is a straightforward service with fewer moving parts, it can be quicker and easier to arrange. That simplicity is often a relief at a time when everything else can feel overwhelming.
Privacy
Some people prefer to keep things quiet and private. Whether it’s a matter of personal choice or because someone expressed a wish for no fuss, direct cremation offers a respectful way to say goodbye without a public ceremony.
Flexibility
Without the time constraints of a traditional funeral, families can gather for a memorial or celebration of life when it suits them – whether that’s weeks or months later – and choose a location that has real meaning, rather than being tied to a crematorium. Families have the freedom to design a farewell that reflects the true personality and values of their loved one.
Honouring someone’s wishes
Many people now make their funeral preferences known before they die. For those who’ve said they don’t want a funeral or any fuss, direct cremation is a way to honour that choice with care and respect.
Whether chosen for practical reasons, environmental concerns, or simply a desire for something more personal, cremation continues to evolve in line with people’s needs and values. And as more families explore the freedom that options like direct cremation provide, it’s clear that the way we think about funerals is changing, too. What remains constant is the care, dignity and meaning behind each farewell.
If you’d like to understand more about the cremation process and how we do things differently at Pure Cremation, we’re here to help. Whether you’re planning ahead or supporting someone else, our team can talk you through your options and answer any questions you might have. And if you’re thinking about a simple, yet respectful send-off, our funeral plan can give you peace of mind and clarity for the future.
