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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.
13 minute read
If you find funerals expensive and emotionally difficult, you may find yourself asking “Do you have to have a funeral?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. While traditional funerals have long been a standard way to say goodbye, changing attitudes and personal preferences are inspiring people to explore alternatives.
A funeral may not look the same to everyone. Some may picture it as mourners dressed in black with a procession, hearse and pallbearers. Others may picture it as a lively party where people celebrate the loved one they have lost at a family home or meaningful venue. There are many ways to remember someone once they have passed. In this article, we hope to help you find the funeral option that feels right.
In the UK, holding a funeral is not mandatory. Although there is no law in place regarding funerals, there are some legal requirements and steps to take when someone dies. This includes registering a death with the local authorities and ensuring that the person who has died is properly cared for through a burial or cremation.
Despite these necessary practicalities, funeral arrangements themselves are personal and optional. You do not need to follow any funeral rites, traditions or ceremonies if you do not want to. In fact, many people are choosing alternatives that allow for simpler, more flexible, or more personalised gatherings.
If you or your loved ones decide that a traditional service is not the right fit, there is nothing in place to say that it is not allowed. You have the freedom to decide on the farewell that feels most appropriate. For some, a formal service provides an essential moment for family and friends to gather and remember; others may find that a simple or private arrangement better suits their needs or values.
Over time, society has changed its opinions and attitudes to death and remembrance. Even within the history of cremation, it has taken a few years for it to become widely accepted and now it’s chosen for 80% of all funerals in the UK. Now, modern alternatives to funerals are gaining popularity. Here are a few options for those who would prefer not to have a conventional funeral.
Some people prefer no service at all after cremation, instead opting to handle the care of the person who has passed in the simplest way possible. This is often known as a direct cremation and is typically the most cost-effective option.
Unlike a traditional funeral, direct cremation involves no viewing or service at the crematorium, no procession, and no attendance from family members or friends. Instead, the person who has passed is collected and respectfully cremated without a service. Their ashes can then be spread in the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance, collected or hand-delivered to a close relative or friend.
Families can choose direct cremation without a service with many providers. Some also will allow you to include a private and intimate attended option with less formalities than a traditional funeral. You may want to compare funeral plans and direct cremation providers by looking at websites like Trustpilot and independent reviewers like Money Saving Expert. This will ensure that you are getting the best customer support and direct cremation prices available to you.
For those who appreciate a minimal approach or wish to avoid the formalities of a traditional service, direct cremation offers a respectful way to handle the body without the ceremonial aspects. Although there is no service required, many families choose to hold a celebration of life or memorial at a later date. This gives those close to the person who has passed time to plan a gathering after they have had some time to grieve their loved one.
For families looking for more flexibility, holding a memorial service or a celebration of life at a later date offers an alternative. This option can happen as part of a traditional service or be entirely separate from the formal burial or cremation.
It involves gathering friends and family for customised ceremonies that may not be typical for most funerals. It can be something out-of-the-box like a group skydive, something that reflects your loved one’s hobby like gardening, or a simple, intimate farewell at your house.
By choosing this route, families have the option to focus on celebrating life rather than adhering to traditional customs. You can even have a celebration of life whilst someone is still alive. These are called living funerals and allow people the opportunity to reflect on their life and spend time with those they love.
Although most people do wish to use a funeral director or provider to help them plan the details of a funeral, you can handle all the arrangements yourself. This creates a highly personalised experience that reflects the life of the person who has passed.
Without a funeral director, families will need to take responsibility for tasks such as body care, transportation, and planning the ceremony, often resulting in significant cost savings. However, DIY funerals require thorough planning and preparation, which can be challenging during a time of grief.
If you decide to arrange an Aura funeral, we are here to help you as much or as little as you need. We understand that some people like to get involved with planning the funeral of someone they love and others may need some extra support. Our team of funeral experts are called the Aura Angels and they are here whenever you need them, whether that’s for advice on certain details, organising paperwork or just as someone to talk to.
Religious customs and cultural practices deeply shape some people’s perspectives on death and commemoration. Although there has been a decline in religion in the UK, cultural and religious beliefs may guide funeral decisions for some. This may be because they believe it is a key part of a person’s journey to the afterlife or they think it offers comfort to their community in grief.
Different religions and cultures have different expectations or customs around funerals, from prescribed ceremonies to particular timing for burial or cremation. For example, in Islam cremation is forbidden and bodies must be buried within three days. Whereas in Hinduism and Sikhism, cremation is seen as a necessary way of releasing the soul from the body.
Following these traditions is optional and not the right fit for everyone, however, you may want to ensure your wishes are known ahead of time if you want certain rites to be a part of your final farewell.
The choice to have or forgo a traditional funeral is a very personal one, often reflecting personal preferences, beliefs, and financial situations. If you’re considering your own end-of-life plans or you’re honouring a loved one who has recently passed, it can be helpful to discuss preferences openly with family members and take the time to reflect.
Talking about these choices may feel uncomfortable initially, but it often leads to meaningful conversations. If you’re sharing your own funeral wishes, this can help remove the burden of decision-making when the time comes. Many people appreciate the chance to decide on their own unique send-off, making it a reflection of their life, values, and personality.
Ultimately, only you can know if a funeral is right for you. It may take some time and personal reflection before you find the answer. You may want to consider those around you and their feelings, as well as who the funeral will be honouring. Alternatively, the deceased’s body can be donated to science. This choice often eliminates the need for a formal funeral service, making the decision for you.
Funerals serve many purposes to those who want them. They can offer a structured way for family and friends to say goodbye, allowing loved ones to gather together and find support in a community setting. It also can provide a sense of closure and marking the loss may help them with the grieving process. The rituals and ceremonies may help some people process the emotions they are feeling. It’s also a chance to honour a person’s life story, achievements, and legacy in a public yet personal way.
Some people choose not to have a traditional funeral for personal, financial, or philosophical reasons. High costs are a major consideration, as funerals can be expensive, and not all families want or can afford to take on that burden. For others, the formality of a funeral doesn’t feel right for the life it celebrates. Families may then prefer a more informal or private way of remembering the person who has passed.
Additionally, funerals can be difficult to organise on top of all the necessary and legal requirements to handle when someone dies. People may find the planning process overwhelming as well as the funeral day itself as you are often surrounded by people or expected to talk. Although not everyone feels like this, it can be a relief for some to know there are other, simpler options available.
Planning for a funeral, whether for yourself or a loved one, involves practical as well as personal factors. If you’re considering an alternative to a traditional funeral, here are some aspects to keep in mind.
Some people feel strongly about their final resting place. Whether choosing burial or cremation, there are some practical decisions to be made about location, such as purchasing a burial plot or selecting a place to scatter a person’s ashes.
For those who prefer burial, certain cemeteries may hold special significance or offer plots for families to be together. In the case of cremation, ashes can be scattered at a place with personal significance, such as a garden, river, or beach, allowing family members to return and feel close to their loved ones over time.
If you or your loved one wants an eco-friendly final farewell, natural or green direct burials can be another option to consider. Green burials typically involve biodegradable coffins, minimal environmental impact, and burial in a peaceful natural setting, such as a woodland or meadow.
Regardless of whether a formal funeral is held, the grieving process is unique to each individual, and support during this time is essential. You may find comfort in private reflection. Activities like journaling, meditation, or creating a memory book can be powerful tools for navigating grief. Many find comfort in grief support groups, which offer a safe space to share experiences and emotions. You can find local group services and one-to-one assistance from bereavement charities like Cruse.
Some families may even want to organise group meet-ups themselves as a chance to honour those they have lost and find connections to those closest to them.
If you’re planning an alternative to a traditional funeral, consider how you can incorporate personal touches that celebrate the life of the person who has passed. This can make the occasion more meaningful for everyone involved. Whether that’s selecting specific music, poems or readings, donating to charity, or organising a memorial tree or plaque, these tributes can be a meaningful way to reflect.
These tributes can be a part of a funeral service or something you organise in replacement of one. Without a traditional service and the expenses that come with that, you can instead use this money to organise a memorial that honours your loved one if you wish.
Traditional funerals that include services, memorials, and burial or cremation practices, can be costly. Current national average costs for a funeral are placed at around £4,141 based on data from the SunLife Cost of Dying Report. However, it is important to note that the expenses involved do vary based on what you choose to include.
If you are looking for a cost-effective option, direct cremations and DIY services offer affordability as well as meaningful tributes. You can then save funds for other tributes or meaningful gatherings with loved ones.
If you are concerned about the financial burdens your family might have to face when it’s time to plan your funeral, you may find that a prepaid funeral plan can offer peace of mind. Funeral costs are seemingly on the rise. A study performed by Legal & General found estimates that funeral costs could rise as much as 84% over a 20 year period, reaching an average cost of £6,259 by 2033.
To protect your loved ones from these steep costs, a funeral plan can help you lock in today’s prices and allow you to cover the costs ahead of time. By purchasing a prepaid plan, you can also make decisions about the specifics of your arrangements. Whether that’s the full traditional route or something simple like a direct cremation.
Aura’s direct cremation plans offer families a simple, meaningful way to say goodbye, with both attended and unattended options to suit different needs. With a Trustpilot score of 4.9/5 stars and two five-star ratings from Fairer Finance, we’re proud of our reputation for compassion, transparency and conscientiousness.
Our story started with Paul Jameson, who founded Aura after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. With firsthand experience of life’s most sensitive moments, Paul wanted to create a service that genuinely supports families during their hardest times. Today, Aura is still very much a family endeavour, led by Paul, his son Dave, their friend Ben, and a dedicated team of funeral experts. Our family values are woven into everything we do, treating each family with the care we’d want for our own.
Our funeral plans are safe and secure, as we are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our 2024 award win as the ICA’s ‘SME Compliance Team of the Year’ is a testament to our commitment to doing right by every family with honest and ethical business practices.
We know that planning a funeral isn’t easy, so we’re here to offer reassurance and respect every step of the way. Families can trust Aura to provide a meaningful funeral with heartfelt care.
If you are interested in our prepaid funeral plans or you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
