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Compare Pure Cremation Funeral Plans vs Aura

11 minute read

This article will help you compare Pure Cremation funeral plans vs Aura. If you’re considering arranging your final wishes ahead of time, it’s important to examine your options to find the best fit for your needs. We will look at the price, flexibility and customer support both companies can offer you to help you find a plan that brings you peace of mind.

A funeral plan is more than just a financial arrangement; it’s a compassionate gesture that ensures your loved ones are relieved of both organisational burdens and financial worries during a difficult time. That’s why comparing funeral plan providers is an essential part of your end-of-life planning process.

Both Aura and Pure offer plans that cater to different needs. Whether you’re drawn to Aura’s family-oriented approach and personalisation options or Pure’s straightforward services, our goal is to help you find the plan that best suits your wishes.

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About Pure Cremation Prepaid Funeral Plans

Pure Cremations, established in 2015 by Bryan and Catherine Powell, specialises in direct cremation services. Now owned by Epiris, a private equity company, Pure has become a well-known name in the industry, partly due to its TV advertisements. The company focuses on simple cremations without a traditional ceremony.

Pure’s main operations are based near Andover where they serve clients in England and Wales. They have two additional crematoria near Glasgow for services in Scotland. They offer both at-need services and prepaid funeral plans, which are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). If you’re in need of a funeral today for a recent passing, you can also compare Aura vs Pure cremations.

 

What is an Aura Funeral Plan?

Founded by Paul Jameson after his own experience with motor neurone disease, Aura is a family-owned, compassionate funeral service provider focusing on direct cremations across the UK. Realising the need for more personalised and accessible funeral services during his end-of-life planning, Paul, together with his son Dave and their family friend Ben, established a company that emphasises care, quality, and affordability.

Our funeral plans are regulated by the FCA to ensure the highest standards of service. When it comes to caring for those who have passed, we collaborate with trusted partners who are affiliated with both the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), guaranteeing quality and compliance in all areas of our service.

 

We offer three prepaid funeral plan options to meet different preferences:

  • Perfectly Simple: A direct cremation without any attendees.
  • Wonderfully Imagined (Intimate): This service includes a direct cremation with a 15-minute ceremony that accommodates up to 15 people, allowing for a private and dignified farewell.
  • Wonderfully Imagined (Fully Attended): For those wishing to hold a more extensive service, this option provides a direct cremation with a ceremony lasting up to 45 minutes, suitable for the full capacity of the crematorium.

 

Aura vs Pure Cremation Funeral Plans

Prepaid Funeral Plan Costs

An important part of choosing a prepaid funeral plan is looking at price. Let us help you break down the cost and services included in the offering from Aura and Pure. 

Pure cremation plans offer a starting price of £1,895 for their funeral plans. This includes all necessary fees and services like a coffin and collection. While a plan with Pure is all-inclusive, they do not include the option to attend the funeral, which might be a crucial aspect for some families.

At Aura, we provide more flexibility for your funeral plan with three kinds of services. The most straightforward option is the Perfectly Simple plan which starts at £1,595 and includes a direct cremation without guests. For those desiring a more personalised farewell, Aura offers a 15-minute service for up to 15 guests starting from £2,195  and a more extended gathering for larger groups starting from £2,695

Aura’s prices, like Pure’s, are all-inclusive, covering all necessary services such as collection, cremation, and administrative fees, ensuring clear and comprehensive pricing without hidden fees or unexpected costs. However, Aura’s direct cremation price is lower than Pure’s and we also offer more customisable options to cater to different needs.

 

Payment Options

When choosing a prepaid funeral plan, it’s important to look at payment terms, as this affects both cost and convenience.

Aura keeps it simple. You can pay all at once or split the cost over 12 to 24 months without any extra fees. We ensure the cost of your plan is clear from the outset, providing a hassle-free way to manage your finances without surprise charges.

Pure offers several payment options. You can pay in full or choose monthly instalments, ranging from 1 to 10 years, depending on your age when you buy the plan. Pure does charge fees for spreading the cost which can add up to £1,103 on the longest payment term. Also, if you’re over 84, your payment options are limited.

If you want a straightforward and budget-friendly option, Aura’s no-fee plan may be the best choice for you. It lets you know exactly what you’re paying upfront. Pure’s plan might seem flexible, but the extra fees could make it more expensive in the end.

 

Customer Service and Support

When planning for a funeral, quality customer support is vital. Both Aura and Pure offer dedicated support services, but their approaches differ. Here’s a closer look at what each provider can offer you.

Aura, as a family-run business, places a high priority on personalised care. Our dedicated team, the Aura Angels, are specialists in managing funeral arrangements and celebrations of life. They also provide heartfelt emotional and grief support as you experience a difficult period of your life. 

Being a smaller, family-sized company allows us to ensure that each client receives personal attention, making the process as comforting and straightforward as possible. Whether you need help online or over the phone, our team is ready to assist you whenever you need it. You can also access our articles and guides online which cover a range of topics from arranging a low-cost funeral to what to do when someone dies.

Pure has seven years of experience in the industry and can provide support for customers online and over the phone. They have a resource hub on their website providing articles that offer both practical advice and emotional support on topics from managing funeral costs to comforting the bereaved. Pure claims to sell a funeral plan every 9 minutes through their ‘call centre’ approach, which means they have a very large client base. All the cremations in England and Wales are delivered through one crematorium which doesn’t have the same personal touch that Aura can offer.

Funeral providers should always aim to bring comfort to families as they organise the final farewell for their loved ones. Aura’s approach is deeply rooted in providing a personalised and compassionate service. Our Aura Angels ensures that each family’s needs are met with the utmost respect and care, reflecting our commitment to treating every client the way we would want our own family to be treated. 

 

Customer Satisfaction and Reviews

Looking at customer feedback and reputations for both Aura and Pure can give you valuable insights into the experiences they provide. Both companies have received useful feedback from customers, but there are some differences.

At Aura, we have received plenty of positive testimonials from our clients who highlight our exceptional customer service and genuine care. We maintain a 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot and we are the only provider to have two five-star ratings from Fairer Finance on our prepaid funeral plans. This demonstrates our commitment to excellence as well as our compassionate team. 

Pure has commendable reviews from both independent experts and customers, although it isn’t as strong as Aura’s. They have a 4-star rating from Fairer Finance on their funeral plans and a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot. Customers appreciate Pure’s strong presence in the funeral industry, but some reviews point out that their follow-up can sometimes feel persistent, with frequent emails and calls that might be overwhelming for some.

Aura’s approach to customer interaction is tailored to ensure comfort and minimal stress, aligning with the sensitive nature of funeral planning. This gentle, respectful care is what helps set Aura apart as a provider who truly cares for the well-being and preferences of its clients.

 

Flexibility and Customisation

Whether you’re planning your own funeral or one for a loved one, having the ability to tailor it to your needs and your wishes is very important. Here, we are going to take a look at the service and options available from each provider that can help make your arrangements special.

A Pure cremation plan centres on direct cremations without attendees. They do not offer the option to include an intimate service for those wanting a moment to gather with loved ones and remember the person who has passed, which can be limiting for some families.

Additionally, for those who decide they no longer want their funeral plan, Pure imposes a substantial £350 cancellation fee after the initial 30-day period. This is something to keep in mind in case your plans change in the future.

In contrast, Aura prioritises flexibility and personalisation in every aspect of our services. Direct cremations are our central offering, but we have options to tailor this to make it feel more unique just like the life it celebrates. We can add music and a moment of reflection, even if there are no attendees.

If you do want to include a gathering of loved ones, we can help arrange this and add special touches like your choice of music. These private gatherings can be family-led or we can assist you and your family find a celebrant to honour the individual’s life.

Most importantly, we at Aura understand that life can change at the drop of a hat. That’s why we allow for changes and cancellations at any time without any fees. This ensures that your funeral plan always provides peace of mind.

 

Additional Benefits and Features

The additional benefits and features that a provider offers can greatly enhance the value of your prepaid funeral plan. 

Pure occasionally offers promotional benefits such as gift cards or cash rewards when purchasing a plan. These promotions, however, are not always available.

Aura offers savings and time-limited offers to customers through the Aura Circle which everyone can join for free. This membership offers more to you than just financial benefits. The Aura Circle also includes resources and guides focused on future planning and end-of-life considerations. Our tools allow you to thoughtfully prepare for the future. Share your life story with love ones, pass on messages, detail where important things will be left and write down your final wishes. The Aura Circle is a resource your family will treasure when you have passed on.

We also offer savings when purchasing plans together with a loved one. This is available to all, whether you are an Aura Circle member or not and helps families plan together.

 

Summary

We hope that comparing Aura and Pure Cremation funeral plans has been useful as you look at your options. By examining price, customer support, reviews and more, you can take the time you need to consider which company works best for you.

Both Aura and Pure offer plans tailored to meet various needs. Pure’s straightforward approach caters well to those looking for simple, direct cremation services without ceremony. They have all-inclusive pricing which is very helpful, however, their payment terms and cancellation fees are less flexible.

On the other hand, Aura’s offerings stand out for being customisable. Starting at £1,595, Aura not only provides a more cost-effective direct cremation option but also offers the ability to add meaningful personal touches and different ceremony types. Our plans are also all-inclusive with no cancellation or instalment fees which reflects our family-centric approach.

For more information or to discuss which plan might be best for you, consider reaching out to Aura. Our team is on hand to help you navigate your options and answer your questions.

Betty Gardiner

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