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Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
10 minute read
We are here to help you compare Farewill cremations vs Aura in this detailed guide. Choosing your cremation service provider is an important decision when we are faced with the task of honouring our lost loved ones. The services they provide, cost and support are all important details that may impact your process.
It’s important to compare direct cremation providers across the market, but in this article, we are focusing on Aura and Farewill. It is a deep dive into both companies that explores their features, cremation services and the customer experience. We hope this will give you a good understanding of what each provider can offer you.
Farewill was founded by Dan Garrett and Tom Rogers. In 2016 they launched their online will-writing platform allowing individuals to draft wills in their own homes. Soon they expanded their services to include probate and estate administration as more people chose their digital-first approach.
In 2020, Farewill launched a direct cremation service for those who were dealing with the loss of a loved one. This service provides a basic cremation without a ceremony or mourners present. In 2024 they then added funeral plans for those who are thinking about their own end-of-life arrangements. Their plans are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring they meet strict standards for customer protection.
In 2019, inspired by his personal journey with motor neurone disease, Paul Jameson founded Aura with a clear vision: to provide a more meaningful funeral provider that focused on quality, value and care. Paul, alongside his son Dave, family friend Ben, and a compassionate team, serves the UK with direct cremation services that combine simplicity with personal touches.
Aura partners with reputable third-party providers, many of which are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and The National Society Of Allied And Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), ensuring the highest standards of care and professionalism. Additionally, our funeral plans are regulated by the FCA, providing financial security and peace of mind to our clients.
As a family-run service, we understand that your needs and those of your loved ones are unique. That’s why we offer three options for a direct cremation.
Perfectly Simple: Our straightforward direct cremation service for those who prefer a dignified, no-fuss farewell.
Intimate: This service offers a direct cremation along with a 15-minute service for up to 15 guests for those wishing for a private moment of remembrance.
Fully Attended: For those who desire a more traditional send-off, this option includes a direct cremation complemented by a service for up to 45 minutes, allowing for a full gathering of family and friends.
We can offer these options for those who are recently bereaved and those who want to buy a prepaid funeral plan with Aura.
Cost is an important consideration for many when it comes to arranging a funeral. When looking at the services that Aura and Farewill provide for those who have recently passed, they use a similar pricing structure. Both companies ensure you are only charged for the services that are required rather than using an all-inclusive package which may leave you paying more than necessary.
Farewill offers a straightforward option for those needing a direct cremation. The base cost starts at £895, which includes cremation fees, a standard coffin, and a scatter tube for ashes if collected; alternatively, ashes can be spread in a Garden of Remembrance.
Additional fees at Farewill may apply for the removal of medical devices, urgent collections, and bariatric support, potentially increasing the final price depending on your circumstances.
The simplicity and affordability of a direct cremation was the reason Aura was founded. Our direct cremation option starts at £1,095 which includes a cremation without any attendees. However, we also understand that funerals are very personal, so we also can help you add an intimate ceremony at a local crematorium. This starts at £1,895 and allows up to 15 guests for a 15-minute service. An up to 45-minute service is available for larger gatherings starting at £2,495.
All three of our options include the cremation fees, a coffin, and the removal of medical devices. There are additional charges for services like urgent or after-hours collection, an oversized coffin and the hand-delivery of ashes.
If you are planning a funeral for a loved one today, both Aura and Farewill require immediate payment. However, they do provide more flexible payment options when it comes to their funeral plans.
Paying for a prepaid funeral plan with Aura is simple. You can pay in a lump sum or through 12-24 monthly instalments. This comes with absolutely no additional charges which can help keep you within budget and prevent unexpected fees.
Farewill offers two options for covering the cost of your funeral plan. You can pay in a lump sum, or spread the cost over 24 months. However, paying in instalments does add a £100 fee, increasing the overall cost of your Farewill funeral plan.
Planning a funeral for someone else or your future self can be very overwhelming. The support and service you receive from your provider can help lighten the load and be an essential part of your decision-making process. Let’s take a look at what Aura and Farewill can offer you.
At Aura, we have a dedicated team known as the Aura Angels who are to guide those facing bereavement. They are experienced professionals skilled in organising funeral arrangements and planning heartfelt celebrations of life. The Angels are available whenever you need them, ready to provide comprehensive grief support and handle any administrative tasks or paperwork that families may find difficult during their time of mourning.
We also offer articles and guides with advice covering topics like what to do when someone dies and how to access bereavement support.
Farewill also provides dedicated support for arranging funerals and planning future services. Their team is accessible online and by phone, helping clients navigate their choices. Additionally, Farewill provides customer support with a range of online articles and guides, offering information to help families understand and manage the funeral planning process.
While both companies deliver useful support, Aura’s Angels are particularly noted for their experience and personal touch, ensuring that each family receives individualised attention and care. This commitment to personalised service helps set Aura apart, offering a more tailored support experience that many families find reassuring.
For those considering a prepaid funeral plan or immediate cremation services, customer reviews offer valuable insights into the quality of service you can expect. Both Aura and Farewill have high customer satisfaction, with each receiving 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot. This shows a strong level of trust and satisfaction from their clients.
However, it’s important to note that Farewill’s ratings mostly include feedback from their will-writing services, which might not fully reflect the experiences of their direct cremation customers. In contrast, all of Aura’s excellent ratings demonstrate our quality service and dedication to providing solely funeral plans and at-need cremation services.
Additionally, Aura has earned a full five-star rating from Fairer Finance across all plan options, highlighting our commitment to top-rated customer support and value. Conversely, Farewill has received a lower rating from Fairer Finance, with only 2 stars for their direct cremation plan. This suggests that our offerings may better meet customer expectations and needs in this area.
Everyone has a different vision for their funeral. Finding a provider who can fit in with your needs is very important. Aura and Farewill both offer direct cremation services for those who want a simple affair and they can offer prepaid plans or at-need funerals.
In contrast, Farewill’s customisation options are more limited. While they offer direct cremations, there is no opportunity to add a service at the time of cremation, select the crematorium, or choose the date and time of the cremation. Although, families can arrange celebrations of life or services separately. Farewill does offer special urns and memorial trees, but these come at an extra cost.
If you want a prepaid plan with Farewill, it is important to note that they might not suit everyone’s need for flexibility. If you wish to cancel after the initial 30 days, this will incur a £300 fee.
At Aura, we understand that no two farewells will be alike. Our mission is to provide straightforward, direct cremations as well as more personalised ceremonies to reflect the way you and your loved ones want to be remembered. That’s why we offer the option for families to choose an attended service at a local crematorium, adding personal touches like your favourite music or cherished memories. Our compassionate team can also assist with other customisable choices like bespoke coffins or help you find a celebrant from the Association of Independent Celebrants to lead a meaningful service.
Personalisation is available on both our at-need funeral services and prepaid plans. If you do buy a plan with us at Aura and later on change your mind, you can edit the details or cancel completely with no extra fees at all. We want you to feel confident that your plan will always reflect your wishes.
When you are choosing a funeral provider, it is worth considering the unique benefits the company can offer you as well as their services, price and customer support.
At Aura, we can offer savings if you and a loved one purchase a plan together. We have even more benefits for members of the Aura Circle. It’s completely free to join and includes time-limited discounts for our prepaid funeral plans as well as access to tools, guides and useful resources. You can share your life story with loved ones, give them important details and enter your final wishes.
As Farewill also offers probate and will-writing services alongside direct cremations, it is convenient to have all of your legal and administrative affairs in one place. However, it is uncertain if they offer any discounts or benefits for using multiple services.
In conclusion, both Farewill and Aura bring unique strengths to their cremation services. Farewill stands out for its simplicity and competitive pricing, ideal for those seeking no-fuss arrangements.
Aura, on the other hand, truly excels in our personalised approach and person-centred customer care. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on delivering compassionate support and genuine care, ensuring every detail is tailored to individual wishes. From intimate gatherings to fully attended services, our commitment to quality and heartfelt service sets us apart.
We hope this comparison has given you the insights needed to choose a provider that not only meets your needs but also aligns with your values, offering the compassionate and high-quality care you and your loved ones deserve.
If you have any questions about arranging a funeral today or planning for the future with a plan, get in touch with our team. They would be happy to take your call or give you information over email.
