What direct cremation involves, costs, pros and cons, and how to arrange a separate memorial service.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's Funeral Planning guide cluster.
This guide explains direct cremation, what is usually included, how it differs from a traditional funeral and when a separate memorial service may be arranged later.
It links funeral choices with funeral-cost planning, government support, funeral plans, cremation versus burial and the first practical steps after a death.
It can be, if an unattended cremation matches the person's wishes and what the family wants. Ask the provider how the person is cared for, whether a viewing is possible and how the ashes will be returned. You can hold a separate memorial before or after the cremation.
Yes. You can arrange a separate memorial before or after the cremation, subject to the venue's availability, permission and any local rules. It could be at home, outdoors, at a place of worship or in a hired venue, with the timing and guest list chosen separately from the cremation.
This depends on the provider. Some direct cremation providers offer a viewing at their premises before the cremation. Others do not. If viewing is important to you, check with the provider before booking.
The timetable depends on the provider, crematorium availability, paperwork, and whether the death has been referred to the coroner. Ask the provider when collection, cremation, and return of ashes are expected to happen.
Direct cremation providers must follow the same legal cremation paperwork as other cremations, and in-scope funeral directors must follow the CMA funeral market rules on clear price lists. Ask for the Standardised Price List and the total unattended funeral price. Pre-paid funeral plans are different: they have been FCA-regulated since 29 July 2022.
Yes, but the timing can change. If the death is referred to the coroner in England and Wales, or the procurator fiscal in Scotland, cremation must wait until the person has been released and the necessary paperwork permits it; an inquest or other enquiry may continue afterwards. Ask the officer and provider what this means for the likely date. Northern Ireland has its own coroner process.
Providers use these labels differently. Direct cremation normally means an unattended cremation with no service or guests. A package called a simple cremation may include a limited attended service, but its contents depend on the provider. Check the attendance, ceremony, viewing, transport and ashes arrangements in the written quote.