Simple Cremations: What Do They Include?

What is a Simple Cremation Funeral Service?

A simple cremation service, also known as a ‘direct cremation’, is an understated type of funeral, usually without any mourners or most of the typical formalities associated with tradition. 

Simple cremations are becoming a more preferred choice for British people due to three main reasons:

• the impact of COVID restrictions on British funeral habits, which prevented us from being there in person; 
• the cost-of-living crisis, which has made many of us struggle to pay for funeral expenses; 
• and declining religious faith in the UK, which was recently found for the first time to no longer be a majority-Christian country.

In this article we will take a closer look at simple cremation, helping you to understand more clearly what it is and to decide whether it might be the right option for you.

How to arrange a simple cremation

There are three main steps to arranging a simple cremation:

1. Consider your preferences. While a direct cremation normally goes ahead without any mourners, many providers will allow loved ones and friends to attend on the day. You also have a say in the order of service, for example regarding any music to play or words to be spoken. So, to make sure that your service honours your wishes and does you justice, you may wish to have a think about what you’d like ahead of time.
   
2. Select your provider. Whether you’re planning for your own funeral in the future, or organising one now for a loved one, it’s important to find out what is included in each provider’s offering. Different providers will charge extra for different things, so, as Money Saving Expert states, it’s really important to be aware of what you are getting for your money.
   
3. Decide how you’ll pay. Following on from that, if you’re opting for a prepaid direct cremation plan, you’ll have to think about whether you’ll pay everything up front in one go, or pay in instalments. The option you select will depend on your needs and circumstances, and we’ll discuss this point in more detail below.

The difference between a traditional cremation and direct cremation

Unlike a direct cremation, a traditional cremation follows the format of the typical funeral that we all tend to imagine when we think of one. Besides the practical matter of the cremation itself, there’ll likely be:

• a hearse
• a funeral procession
• mourners dressed in black
• floral tributes with the name of the person who has died 
• some words from their loved ones
• hymns or special music
• and a catered wake afterwards in a nearby hotel or pub. 

A direct cremation, other than a very minimal ceremony before the committal, may not include any of these elements, and likely won’t.

A simple cremation allows those who don’t want to make a fuss to go out on their terms, while it also gives people the chance to put their own stamp on things. If you are uncomfortable, or feel stifled by the formality of a traditional service, a simple cremation presents you with an opportunity to get creative and to bring elements of your life more authentically into proceedings.

The content of your direct cremation ceremony is up to you. But, more than that, they also give your loved one’s the chance to pause and reflect; the official and necessary parts can be dealt with at first, when they need to be, and then a proper end-of-life celebration can be held for you when they are in a better frame of mind. . You could even outline what you’d like as an end-of-life celebration, and how you’d like to be remembered by your friends and family. 

What happens at a simple cremation

At a simple cremation, the person who has died is taken privately to the crematorium and cremated without a formal service, or any mourners in attendance. The funeral director will choose the crematorium in which this occurs based on availability; as no guests will be present, it doesn’t necessarily need to take place close to where the deceased was from or where they lived. 

This incredibly private process is overseen with all the dignity of a normal funeral, with the staff of the crematorium speaking a few words about the person who has died  as a mark of respect.

Following an Aura cremation, within 21 days of the ceremony, the ashes of the deceased will either be hand-delivered back to their family, or scattered at the crematorium’s own garden of remembrance, based on their preference. Getting this right every single time is something that we see as our solemn duty, and we want you to have peace of mind knowing that you will be cared for.

How long does a simple direct cremation take?

In general, it takes between one and three hours to fully cremate a body, with each cremation time depending on a few things. For instance, the temperature of the cremator will influence how quickly things can be done, as will the size of the person being cremated, and the material out of which the coffin is made. The body will normally be cremated very shortly after the cremation service. 

Can you attend a direct cremation?

With an Aura direct cremation, you certainly can. However, different providers may have a different view on this, so, as ever, it’s always good to check. Aura offers three prepaid direct cremation plans which allow you to organise a simple cremation:

• Direct Cremation: the most understated of simple-cremation options, providing a concise and dignified cremation without any mourners present.
  
• Intimate Farewell: a simple cremation ceremony, with a 15-minute service allowing a small number of close friends and family to bid farewell.
  
• Fully Attended Service: as above, but with a ceremony lasting for up to 45 minutes, with as many attendees as the chosen crematorium can accommodate.
  

Each of these options is also available for those who are arranging a funeral for someone who has passed away, so whatever your needs, we’ve got something that could work for you. 

Benefits of Simple Cremation

The main benefits of a simple cremation are that it’s much cheaper than a traditional cremation, and that the ceremony format is a lot more flexible. Those who would rather not be the centre of attention can take care of things their way, while those who are more interested in making an impact on the ceremony with their own personality or life story are free to do so.

Ultimately, a simple cremation can liberate you and your family from high prices, and the obligation to do something traditional if that’s not what you would like, leading to the creation of memories that are authentic and true to you.

One of the things we are most passionate about at Aura is the level of empathy in our service. Whether you are looking for a prepaid funeral plan or you are in need of a funeral now, you will be guided through the process by our wonderful Angel team. Their industry knowledge and compassionate experience is highly regarded in reviews that have been left by our previous customers. They will listen to you, help you, and lead you through the process.

The costs of a simple cremation 

There’s a lot of variation in price out there for those thinking about a simple cremation. Different providers have got different rates, and you will get more or less for your money from one funeral plan to the next. You should also bear in mind the fact that the price charged for a funeral at the point of need will be different from the price of a prepaid direct cremation plan for the future.

There’s no getting away from the fact that funerals in general are expensive; SunLife put the average cost of a cremation in the UK in 2023 at £3,795, and the average cost of a direct cremation at £1,498.

A simple cremation can be obtained from Aura starting at £1,095, while our prepaid direct cremation plans start at £1,595. We are proud to be able to say that our prepaid plans are all-inclusive; unlike many providers, we don’t charge an extra fee for things like the removal of medical devices, oversized / ‘bariatric’ coffins, or urgent collections. Everything is included in the final price you pay for your plan.

They are also fully flexible, meaning that you won’t be penalised should you wish to cancel or amend things for any reason. We’ll simply issue you with a full refund for any cancellation, and you’ll only need to pay the difference if you are upgrading from a smaller to a bigger plan.

To learn more about Aura’s simple cremations and prepaid direct cremation plans,  or to speak to a member of our Aura Angel team, please call 0333 242 1088.