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Two Together: Save £100!Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Written by Mitch Tapner.
13 minute read
Planning a funeral can feel like a lot to take in, especially during a difficult time. Many people are simply looking for something that’s clear, affordable and easy to manage. Aura Funerals and Fosters Funeral Directors both offer direct cremation services to meet those needs, as well as prepaid funeral plans for those who want to plan ahead and take the pressure off their family later on.
While both providers aim to keep things straightforward, their approach and range of services differ in a few important ways.
This guide explores how the two compare. It looks at services, costs, flexibility and the kind of support they offer, to help you decide what feels right for you or someone close to you.
Aura Funerals is a family-run provider that specialises in simple, all-inclusive direct cremation. The focus is on keeping things clear, affordable and easy to arrange, whether you’re planning ahead or organising a funeral now.
Fosters, a well-established provider in Scotland, offers a similar direct cremation service alongside more traditional funeral options. Their plans include all the essentials, such as care, a simple coffin, cremation, and the return or scattering of ashes.
Direct cremation prices are often one of the first things families look at when arranging a funeral. A clear price can help narrow down the options and give people confidence that they’re choosing something that fits both their needs and budget.
Fosters’ unattended direct cremation prices start from £1,399, with their ‘Simple Funeral’ option, which includes attendees, starting from £2,099.
*Collections out-with 20 miles of the nearest Fosters funeral home there will be a surcharge of £2.20 per mile.*
Aura offers a straightforward option for those who don’t wish to attend, with unattended direct cremations starting from £1,195. For families who want to be present, attended services are available from £2,095 and can take place at any crematorium across mainland Britain.
Aura is clear and upfront about pricing, with no hidden fees. However, there may be a few optional extras depending on your needs or preferences.
Fosters offers a direct cremation service for those who prefer a simple and respectful goodbye without a ceremony. This is an unattended cremation, arranged by their local teams, who guide families through the process with care and clarity. Families can choose to collect the ashes from a local Fosters funeral home or have them respectfully scattered in the crematorium’s garden of remembrance.
Fosters also offers attended services through their ‘Simple Funeral’ option. These allow family and friends to be present, with prices starting from £2,099. *This price doesn’t include 3rd-party fees, such as cremation or burial, as these vary by location.*
Aura’s attended direct cremations start from £2,095 and include a short, private ceremony for up to 15 people, lasting around 10 minutes. For those who would like more time and flexibility, a full 40-minute service is also available. This allows for as many guests as the crematorium can accommodate and starts from £2,695.
Aura’s Angel team is there from the beginning to offer gentle, step-by-step guidance, including practical help with what to do when someone dies. Fosters also helps guide families through the process and is available to answer questions as they arise.
Aura’s ‘No Pressure Promise’ means families are never rushed or pushed into making a decision. Instead, they’re given clear information and the time and space to choose what’s right for them.
Fosters Funeral Directors is one of Scotland’s largest independent funeral providers, with a growing network of local funeral homes. With over 1,400 reviews, Fosters holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.9/5 stars.
Aura has also built a strong reputation with families across the UK. With more than 1,000+ Trustpilot reviews and an rating of 4.9/5 stars, Aura is currently the UK’s top-rated direct cremation provider.
Thinking ahead is a key part of end-of-life planning, and for some, that includes putting a funeral plan in place. If you’re starting to compare funeral plans, it’s worth looking beyond the initial cost. Consider what each plan includes, how much flexibility it offers, and whether the terms are clear and easy to understand.
Aura offers multiple prepaid options, starting from £1,695 for an unattended cremation. Fosters offers four different types of prepaid plans, with their direct cremation plan starting from £1,585.
*Terms and conditions apply. You will receive a funeral plan summary before purchase to help you understand the features, costs, and limitations.*
Aura’s funeral plans offer flexible payment options to suit different needs. You can pay in full or spread the cost over 12 or 24 months, with no added fees, whichever option you choose. Fosters also offers a range of payment choices, including five and ten-year instalment plans or a fixed monthly payment.
When it comes to cancellation, Fosters will refund all of your money back minus a cancellation fee of £249, when paying in full. If you cancel a long-term instalment plan after 12 months, no refund is given. Aura’s prepaid plans include no cancellation charge.
For those arranging more than one funeral plan, Aura offers a built-in saving through its Two Together plan. When two plans are purchased at the same time, families receive £100 off automatically. There are no time limits and no discount codes required.
To help with the cost, both providers offer discounts. Aura’s ‘Two Together’ plan includes a permanent £100 saving when you buy two funeral plans at once, no time limits, no special codes needed. Fosters includes a free will worth £250 with the purchase of a funeral plan.
If you’re looking to purchase a plan for yourself and a loved one, you can save £100 when you buy two plans together.
Our ‘Two Together’ funeral plans include everything you’ll find in our single plans, but at even better value.
Please note, our Two Together plans are not yet available to buy online. For more information, please call our team or request a quote on the button below.
Aura’s funeral plans are available across mainland Britain. Each plan includes funeral director services, round-the-clock collection from anywhere in the country, care of the person who has died, cremation fees, a simple coffin, help with paperwork, and the ashes. These can be hand-delivered to the family or respectfully scattered, all for a single, fixed price.
If you would like to attend the cremation, Aura offers an intimate plan from £2,595, which includes a simple, family-led service held early in the morning for up to 15 people, at any crematorium in mainland Britain.
If you’d prefer a larger gathering, Aura’s fully attended plans start from £3,195. These include a daytime service with no limit on the number of attendees, subject to the crematorium’s own terms and conditions. Fosters offers attended options through its ‘Simple Cremation Plan’, which starts from £3,570.
When it comes to location, Aura’s coverage is nationwide across mainland Britain. Fosters operates only in Scotland, where it has a network of local funeral homes.
Both Aura and Fosters are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with customer payments protected through independent trusts or insurance. With both providers, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) also offers protection if your provider were to ever go out of business.
Aura hold 5-star ratings from both Fairer Finance and the Funeral Solution Expert, reflecting their commitment to value, fairness and transparency. Fosters holds a 3-star rating from Fairer Finance.
In 2024, Aura received the ICA’s ‘SME Compliance Team of the Year’ award. A year later, they were celebrated at the 2025 UKCXA customer service awards, earning Gold in the Customers at the ‘Heart of Everything’ category, the ceremony’s top honour, and Silver for ‘Best Customer Service’.
Many people choose a prepaid funeral plan for the peace of mind it brings, and both Aura and Fosters aim to provide that reassurance.
Choosing a funeral provider can feel overwhelming, especially when comparing services, prices and levels of support. Both Aura Funerals and Fosters Funeral Directors offer clear, affordable options for direct cremation and prepaid funeral plans.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your needs and values. If you’re unsure where to begin, Aura’s team is on hand to offer calm, practical guidance whenever you need it.
If you’d like to know more about how to plan a cremation with Aura, our brochure is a helpful place to begin.
Our funeral plans are a helpful way to put everything in place for you or someone else.
When the time comes, our experienced team will be here to guide you through each step, offering support and advice whenever you need it.
To find out more about how our plans work, what’s included, and our story, you can request a brochure by clicking the link below. We will then send you a copy by email or First Class post—whichever you prefer.
Yes. Fosters Funeral Directors is one of Scotland’s largest independent funeral providers with a strong local presence. They have over 1,400 reviews on Trustpilot and hold an 4.9 rating.
A Fosters funeral plan includes:
Fosters funeral plans start from £1,595 for their unattended cremation plan. Prices for attended funeral options begin at £3,570 under their ‘Simple Cremation Plan’.
Yes, but conditions apply. If you pay in full and cancel after the first 30 days, a £249 cancellation fee is charged. If you’re on a five or ten-year instalment plan and cancel after 12 months, no refund is given.
Yes. Aura offers both unattended and attended cremation options.
Both include support from Aura’s team to help personalise the ceremony if you wish.
If you have any questions, would like a brochure or simply would like a chat through our services, our award-winning team is here to help.
Unlike other providers, we won’t hassle you with constant calls. We’ll simply ensure you have the information you need and leave you to come to a decision in your own time. When you’re ready for us, our team will be ready to help.