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Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
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Buy your funeral plan today and pay in January for peace of mind this Christmas. Click here for full T&Cs.
Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
Buy now, pay in January
Buy your funeral plan today and pay in January for peace of mind this Christmas. Click here for full T&Cs.
12 minute read
In this article, we will compare Co-op cremations vs Aura to help you decide on the right funeral provider for your needs. Whether you are organising the funeral while recently bereaved, or setting up a prepaid plan for the future, choosing someone to handle the arrangements for a funeral is a deeply personal decision.
Both Aura and Co-op provide different options for both a direct cremation or an attended service. We will examine costs, benefits, customisation and how these cater to different needs. We hope this will help you make an informed decision as you compare cremation providers.
In addition to legal services, insurance, and grocery stores, The Co-operative Group also provides funeral services through Co-op Funeralcare. With more than 800 funeral homes across the UK, they are among the largest funeral service providers in the country. Their funeral homes are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) which follows strict codes of conduct and professionalism. Additionally, Co-op’s funeral plans are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring consumer protection.
Co-op Funeralcare offers various cremation services for those who are planning ahead as well as those needing immediate funeral arrangements. They can provide both attended and unattended cremations, with a range of personalisation options to suit individual preferences. Each level of personalisation that Co-op offers comes with separate costs.
Co-op cremation plans are structured differently compared to those who are organising a funeral for a recent death. If you are planning ahead, you can read our comparison between Co-op funeral plans vs Aura for more specific information.
For those who need a cremation for a loved one now, there are three main options:
Aura is a family-run funeral service provider that specialises in direct cremation. Our company was established in 2019 by Paul Jameson following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND). Alongside his passion for raising money for MND, Paul wanted to offer those across the UK a way to arrange simple and meaningful funerals that cared for bereaved families.
Alongside his son Dave, family friend Ben, and a team with extensive experience in the funeral industry, Paul has cultivated a compassionate vision for end-of-life planning.
Aura’s family-sized approach allows us to bring value, care and quality to every family who needs us. We partner with third parties who are members of the NAFD or The National Society Of Allied And Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) and our prepaid funeral plans are regulated by the FCA to ensure financial security and peace of mind for our clients.
Whether you need a funeral now or are preparing for the future with a prepaid funeral plan, we have three options for cremation.
An unattended direct cremation.
A direct cremation with a 15-minute attended service for up to 15 people.
A direct cremation with a 45-minute service for the crematorium’s maximum guest count.
When comparing direct cremation costs, it’s important to look at the details of what each provider offers. Co-op uses a package system that includes multiple services in their starting price, even if they are not needed. For example, oversized coffins, the removal of medical devices and non-hospital or urgent collections are provided at the starting price. However, it does not cover any travel for collections that are over 50 miles. Co-op also doesn’t deliver ashes to a loved one, but ashes can be collected from a funeral home or scattered in the Garden of Remembrance at no extra cost.
Here are the costs and services included in Co-ops three services:
Aura prices our cremations on an at-need basis, meaning you only pay for what is necessary. This approach allows Aura to offer lower starting prices compared to Co-op.
An Aura direct cremation starts at £1,095, which includes no guests at the cremation. Aura also offers two options to add a stripped-back service. This starts from £1,895 for 15 guests for 15 minutes. For a larger gathering with a 45-minute service, this starts from £2,495. The final price of your service will depend on location and customisation options. This price also includes the removal of medical devices in all three offerings.
Additional fees for an Aura cremation may include urgent 24/7 collection, an oversized coffin, hand-delivery of ashes to the home of a loved one, choosing a different coffin, dressing your loved one in their own clothes, and adding memorials. By separating these fees, Aura provides flexibility to lower overall costs. If you do not require certain services, this makes Aura the best value option.
When it comes to immediate funeral services, both Aura and Co-op require payment upfront. However, their funeral plans offer different payment terms, providing flexibility for those who are making end-of-life arrangements.
Aura makes paying for funeral plans straightforward with options to pay in full or spread the payments over 12 to 24 months without any additional fees for instalments. This is ideal for those looking to keep costs down and avoid unexpected charges.
Co-op, on the other hand, offers a broader range of payment options, allowing you to pay in full or spread the payments over a longer period, from 6 months up to 25 years. They do charge an administration fee of up to 6% per payment and add extra costs for plans that extend beyond two years. This means that Co-op funeral plans can end up being more expensive than their initial starting price.
It is important that you consider how you want to pay for your funeral plan, as it can significantly impact the overall affordability and convenience.
When a loved one passes away, the task of managing the estate and organising a funeral can be overwhelming. Funeral providers should aim to simplify this process, offering support rather than adding to the stress. Quality customer support is essential for both those who are recently bereaved and those looking to create a funeral plan for the future.
At Aura, our dedicated team is committed to handling your funeral plan with the utmost care and respect. For those who have recently lost a loved one, our Angel team specialises in funeral arrangements and planning celebrations of life. They are skilled in providing grief support and managing administrative tasks, paperwork or other organisational needs. Available 24/7, the Angels are always ready to assist you and your family, offering compassionate guidance when you have lost someone close to you.
Co-op also offers comprehensive support throughout the funeral process, with their team available online, over the phone, and in person. They provide practical advice on topics such as writing eulogies and appropriate funeral attire, along with emotional and bereavement support. Furthermore, Co-op hosts bereavement groups across the country to provide a helping hand to those who need it.
While both Aura and Co-op strive to deliver dignified services, Aura’s family-run nature ensures high-quality care that may feel more individual compared to Co-op’s larger-scale operations. Aura’s smaller, family-oriented approach offers a more personalised experience, reflecting our deep commitment to treating every client with compassion and respect.
Examining the reputation and reviews that both Aura and Co-op cremations have received can be a helpful way to explore the customer experience. This will give you valuable insight into what you can expect as a customer and evaluate the best choice for you and your family.
We at Aura are very proud of our ratings. We have an impressive 4.9-star rating out of 5 on Trustpilot, with clients sharing meaningful reviews of our excellent customer service for both creating funeral plans and organising funerals for those who have recently passed away. Additionally, our funeral plans hold a 5-star rating from Fairer Finance, underscoring the high quality of service we offer our customers.
Given Co-op’s significant presence in the funeral industry, their rating is respectable but not as impressive. They have a 3-star rating from Fairer Finance and a 3.8-star rating on Trustpilot. It may be worth reading their reviews to see which areas customers are satisfied with and where there could be an improvement.
Providing fuss-free, direct cremations is the reason Aura was formed. However, we do also offer the option to include an attended service. This allows a more customisable approach whilst still providing an intimate and simplified alternative to traditional funerals. So, if you are planning for your own funeral or that of a loved one, certain aspects can be tailored to fit your needs.
If you are seeking a prepaid funeral plan with Aura, it’s important to us that you feel protected without being locked into a decision. This is why we do not charge any cancellation fees on our prepaid plans and you can change your mind at any time without fees.
A Co-op funeral ranges in its customisation options. The Co-op cremation only option has the least amount of customisation but an “Essential Funeral” does allow you to pick the crematorium as well as the date and time from a list of choices. The “Tailored Funeral” has the most customisation options including the hearse, coffin, flowers, stationary, music and more.
If it’s a Co-op prepaid plan you are after, they have a restrictive cancellation policy that comes with a £125 fee. This can make their funeral plans seem less flexible as it doesn’t allow room for your preferences to change over time.
Beyond price, support, and services, it’s useful to consider the additional benefits a company offers when choosing a funeral provider. Both Aura and Co-op provide unique features that cater to different preferences.
Aura offers a membership option called the Aura Circle. This programme is free to join and provides access to various tools, guides, and resources focused on future planning, including end-of-life matters. Members also receive exclusive, time-limited discounts on our plans. Additionally, we offer savings for both members and non-members when purchasing plans for themselves and a loved one together.
The Aura Circle is not just about financial savings; it also adds a personal touch. Members can share their life stories and thoughtfully plan for what lies ahead. You can share practical and important information such as where your important documents are kept, advanced care planning, your wishes around organ donation, and more, all of which help you prepare your family when they need it.
Similarly, Co-op has its own membership scheme. For a small fee of £1, members receive small discounts on funeral plans and other services. This membership can also be used in their grocery stores for food offers and provides discounts on their legal services and insurance products.
Co-op also offers bereavement resources through online articles and videos, and they have partnered with different charities to offer advice and support.
By choosing Aura, you not only benefit from our exclusive membership but also from our dedication to providing a service that’s as compassionate as it is comprehensive. We help our members save and create a community.
Whether you are comparing Aura and Co-op cremation plans or an at-need funeral for a recently passed individual, each provider offers something unique for different needs and preferences. Your choice will depend on what matters most to you.
Overall, Co-op offers a wide range of options with different levels of customisation. Their “Tailored” option appeals more to those who want a traditional funeral with lots of personal elements. They have a strong presence throughout the UK but their large company may result in a lack of personal touch and care as seen in their reviews.
Aura offers a unique in-between option for those who want a funeral with minimal fuss but still have guests present. We are noted for our compassionate, client-centred approach which comes from being a family-sized company. This might appeal to those who value straightforward, dignified services with genuine care.
If you are interested in learning more about Aura and what we can offer you, please get in touch with our team. They will be happy to answer any questions whether you are arranging a funeral today or a prepaid plan.
