Britain’s Most Trusted Funeral Plan

A funeral without the service

A direct cremation is a modern alternative to a traditional cremation funeral. The cremation takes place completely separately from the personal farewell, allowing families to create their own special remembrance in their own time. It’s perfect for people who don’t like funerals.

Families tell us that creating a beautiful funeral with the ashes urn or a favourite photograph as the focal point is less daunting and more accessible.

How does a Pure Cremation differ from a traditional cremation?

A direct cremation simply separates the farewell ceremony from the practical aspects of the cremation. The standard of care and cremation should be just as high as that provided for a traditional service.

What you get

A Pure Cremation

Traditional Cremation

Collection of the deceased

Family viewing

Coffin

Choice of cremation date

Hearse to the crematorium

Funeral service

Wake or reception

Return of ashes

You decide

Find out more

Say a more personal goodbye - where, when and how you choose

Get in touch. We’re only a phone call away

Our lovely people will help you get started and answer any questions.

0800 470 23 93

For a prepaid funeral plan from Pure Cremation Funeral Planning Ltd

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Free Funeral Plan guide

Request our complete guide today - explore whether a Pure Cremation Plan is right for you and discover the different payment options available. If you would like to request an audio version, please call us.

Why choose a direct cremation?

A direct cremation is an increasingly popular alternative to a traditional funeral. Instead of coming to the crematorium, friends and family choose the perfect time, place and style for their farewell event. Some of the benefits of a direct cremation are:

The family can be in charge of things

A more personal goodbye

Lower cost

Holding your farewell somewhere comfortable and familiar

Fulfilling any expressed wish for a “no-fuss” cremation

Focus on the celebration of life

Why choose a direct cremation

How does a direct cremation work?

A beautiful funeral made affordable. Here’s how: We provide the dignified, low-cost cremation and your family create a truly personal, separate farewell on your terms. What we do:

1

We will care for your family

Your death will need to be registered, so our expert team will guide them through the simple paperwork. They’ll provide updates for their comfort and reassurance, including the cremation date if they wish to know it. (Please note: we can only give a time where an attended committal has been requested)

2

We will collect you

We will respectfully bring you into our care and you will rest safely with us until the cremation

3

We will care for you

Our trained team will prepare your body with care and respect, placing you in a solid wood eco-coffin after removing medical devices (if required) and safeguarding any personal items such as jewellery

4

We will carry out the simple, unattended cremation

You are conveyed to the crematorium on the date confirmed with your family. There’s no service but that is the only difference – everyone is treated with the same great care and dignity

5

We will hand-deliver the ashes

Ashes are placed in an urn made of recycled materials featuring a unique ceramic identity disc and returned by appointment by our own staff. Any personal items such as jewellery will be returned at this time

6

Your family can plan a celebration of life

We take care of the hard part, so your family can focus on celebrating your life the way you would want. Here are some ideas on how they can Plan a personal farewell

The Big Future of Funerals Survey 2022

With 17,135 responses from Pure Cremation Funeral Planning customers the 2022 report offers important insights into how consumer attitudes have already changed, and how UK funerals will evolve.

Since 2019 there has been a dramatic and rapid increase in the number of direct cremation plan holders, with sales of this style of plan growing faster than any other. This indicates that the appeal of direct cremation has broadened very quickly, and the pace of this change will be of real concern, presenting an unprecedented challenge to all those providers who rely on customers choosing a more traditional send-off.

Download the Report

Questions our customers ask

What is a direct cremation?

We specialise in only providing a direct cremation service. A direct cremation is a modern alternative to a traditional cremation funeral. The cremation takes place completely separately from the personal farewell, allowing families to create their own special remembrance in their own time. 9 out of 10 direct cremations are unattended at Pure Cremation, which means there are no mourners present for a funeral service at the crematorium itself. If you were to choose a direct cremation instead of a traditional cremation, it is important to note we do not provide services such as, hearses, limousines, priests / celebrants or pall bearers.

What is meant by "unattended"?

9 out of 10 direct cremations are unattended at Pure Cremation, which means there are no mourners present for a funeral service at the crematorium or at the cremation itself. Our experienced cremation technicians will carry out the process with utmost respect and without anyone present – whether that is family or friends.

Do you need a coffin for a direct cremation?

At Pure Cremation, we use natural solid pine coffins as standard. Our solid pine coffins are responsibly sourced and help the cremation process to use less gas. However, other alternatives such as shrouds can also be used. Be sure to ask us prior to taking out a plan.

Which coffins are best for cremation?

Some coffin materials provide a good fuel source, reducing the amount of gas used, while others actively hamper the cremation. Untreated solid wood coffins are the best, and that’s why we use natural pine as our standard. MDF coffins burn well, but unpleasant chemicals are used to produce the MDF board itself.

Most people are surprised to learn that cremating ‘green’ coffins, such as seagrass, willow and cardboard, use the most gas. Cardboard coffins are particularly problematic because they result in a thick layer of sooty ash that activity prevents heat penetration and prolongs the cremation. Our skilled cremation technicians will use their knowledge and experience, to dynamically monitor and adjust each cremation for safety and efficiency.

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What is Direct Cremation?