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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
In this article, we will compare Dignity cremations vs Aura to help you make an informed decision about the best funeral provider for your needs. If you are seeking a direct cremation following bereavement or if you are interested in a funeral plan, we are here to help.
Both Aura and Dignity offer various options for direct cremations. We will do a side-by-side comparison of both options, looking at costs, customisation, reputation and customer support. By examining these aspects, we aim to provide you with insight that will help guide your decision-making process as you compare direct cremation providers.
Dignity is a national funeral provider that collaborates with local funeral directors across the UK to offer its services. Every firm they partner with to provide their cremation services are members of the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD).
They are a well-known provider and can offer a range of services, including burials as well as traditional and direct cremations for those who have recently passed. Dignity also offers funeral plans regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Click here and learn more about our comparison between Aura and Dignity funeral plans.
The funeral you plan with dignity can be personalised to the wishes of your family and recently passed loved one. Prices for these services can vary as you customise the coffin, procession, location and more.
Founded in 2019 by Paul Jameson, Aura is a family-run funeral service provider supporting those planning ahead and the recently bereaved. Paul’s diagnosis of motor neurone disease inspired him to revolutionise end-of-life planning. Together with his son Dave, his family friend Ben, and an experienced team, Aura offers direct cremation services that emphasise personal care and compassion, setting us apart from larger providers.
Aura is dedicated to providing high-quality services at affordable prices. Our prepaid funeral plans are regulated by the FCA and our at-need services are provided by third parties who are members of the NAFD and The National Society Of Allied And Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF).
We offer three funeral options:
Cost is a key component when it comes to comparing funeral service providers. Dignity and Aura take different approaches to how they price their options.
Dignity offers a direct cremation starting at £1,195. This price does not include the removal of medical devices or urgent and out-of-hours collection, which are charged separately. Additionally, if your loved one is resting more than 20 miles away from a Dignity funeral director, there may be a mileage fee.
In some locations, Dignity’s partnered funeral directors can provide more personalisation like adding guests with a small attended service. However, this is not available everywhere and will increase the final cost depending on your customisation choices and location.
At Aura, we prioritise providing compassionate and cost-effective cremation services that are tailored to your needs. Our most affordable option, the Perfectly Simple cremation, starts at £1,095. This option is designed for those who prefer a respectful farewell without the presence of guests.
For those who prefer a ceremony, we offer an intimate service at a local crematorium starting from £1,895 accommodating up to 15 guests for a 15-minute service. A longer service of up to 45 minutes for larger gatherings is also available starting at £2,495. This service is different from a traditional funeral, but it can still be meaningful and personal.
Our starting price does include the removal of medical devices as well as the coffin and cremation fees. Additional charges may apply for services such as urgent or out-of-hours collection and other personal touches like selecting a different coffin or dressing the deceased in their own clothes.
Both Aura and Dignity provide various options to personalise a funeral, but Aura’s pricing model is designed to ensure that you only pay for what is necessary.
For immediate funeral services, both Aura and Dignity require payment upfront. However, they provide various payment terms for their funeral plans, offering more flexibility for end-of-life planning.
Aura makes paying for prepaid funeral plans straightforward by giving the option to pay in full or in instalments over 12 to 24 months, with no added fees. This approach is useful for those who want to avoid unexpected fees and settle costs quickly.
Dignity, on the other hand, offers a longer payment period, allowing instalments over up to five years. This option is suitable for those who need more time to spread out their payments. However, all instalments must be completed before the plan holder turns 85.
Facing the loss of a loved one and organising funeral arrangements is already tough enough as it is. Your funeral service provider should make this process easier for you with high-quality support and care.
Aura’s services are designed to lighten the load during a sensitive period. Our experienced team known as the Aura Angels guides families through funeral planning and memorial arrangements, available whenever you need them. They can handle administrative duties, paperwork and offer grief support to every client.
In addition to personalised and compassionate support, we offer a range of articles and guides covering topics such as what to do when someone dies and explaining the costs behind funerals.
Dignity connects clients with local funeral directors in their area. Funeral plans can be arranged over the phone, online, or in person. However, choosing Dignity requires using one of their affiliated funeral directors, which might limit options for those with a specific director in mind.
If you want to know what you can expect as a client, exploring the reputation of a company can be very useful. It’s important to look into the reviews from previous customers as this can provide valuable insight into the quality of each funeral provider.
At Aura, we are very proud of our feedback from our customers. We hold a 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot – the highest rating of all in the ‘Cremation Services’ industry -where clients often highlight stories that speak to our quality customer service and the compassionate support from the Aura team. Additionally, we have achieved a 5-star rating on our funeral plans from Fairer Finance, reflecting our dedication to excellent service for those planning ahead as well as those needing to arrange a funeral today.
Dignity’s customer service feedback gives an insight into their care. They hold a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot and their funeral plans have a three-star rating from Fairer Finance. While many reviews are positive, approximately 15% of their under 700 total reviews on Trustpilot are 1-star (as of July 2024). Reading these negative reviews can provide prospective customers with insights into potential challenges, including service-related issues.
Every family will have different needs for their funeral to ensure it reflects the life of their lost loved one. Personalisation is a very important part of the planning process, whether that’s for a funeral needed today or creating a prepaid plan for the future.
Dignity offers a range of funeral services that cater to traditional needs, including burials and cremations with a service. You can personalise the service with different coffins, transport, floral tributes and more. Dignity also provides direct cremations. Some of their funeral directors do have the option to include a small, private service that is more stripped-back than a traditional funeral but still allows guests to attend the direct cremation. However, this is not available everywhere. Most of Dignity’s funeral directors only allow for a traditional option or a direct cremation for those who are planning a funeral for a recent loss.
On the other hand, Aura has three funeral options, including an unattended direct cremation. Our Intimate Farewell and Fully Attended Service are attended cremations that can happen in locations all over the country. These two options exclude pallbearers and a procession but can still be meaningful and customisable. Families can have an officiant present, or lead the service themselves reading out stories, poems, hymns and playing music that reflects the life of their loved one. No matter where you are in the country, you can have a personal yet simple service with attendees.
Aura also has other personalisation options including choosing a different coffin and the ability to play music during both attended and unattended direct cremations. Additionally, we can assist in finding celebrants from the AOIC to lead a meaningful and heartfelt service. Dignity is a suitable choice for those desiring a traditional funeral, while Aura’s approach may appeal to those looking for minimalistic yet personalised services.
Whether you’re arranging a funeral with a prepaid plan or organising one for a recent loss, it’s important to also look at the benefits a company can offer you. Discover how Aura and Dignity can enhance your choice with different features.
Dignity connects you with local funeral directors which can be important to those who feel tied to their area and want in-person support. They also offer support through online articles about bereavement and funeral planning.
If you are purchasing a funeral plan, you can add financial contributions which can make personalisation easier. These funds will cover third-party items like flowers and memorials which is useful to those who want all aspects of their funeral taken care of ahead of time.
Aura offers several valuable benefits. Everyone can take advantage of our Two Together plan which allows you and your loved one to benefit from savings by buying a prepaid plan at the same time. Alternatively, you can join the Aura Circle and take advantage of the time-limited, exclusive discounts we offer to members. Signing up is completely free, so you can benefit from savings without paying any extra.
The Aura Circle also offers a wealth of tools. Resources and guides. This is a useful way to plan your own funeral, write down final wishes and share your life story with loved ones. Our guides have helpful information which can be useful to those organising end-of-life matters.
Deciding on your direct cremation provider will come down to what matters most to you. Dignity has a broad spectrum of both traditional and direct cremations through local funeral directors who can arrange in-person visits. However, their services come at a higher price.
On the other hand, Aura stands out with its compassionate, family-run approach. We offer straightforward, cost-effective cremation options with a strong emphasis on person-centred care. Our services, whether the simple unattended cremation or the more intimate attended options are designed to be meaningful yet affordable. Plus, our excellent reviews and the benefits of joining the Aura Circle make planning ahead accessible and reassuring.
If you have any questions and would like to talk to our team, please get in touch. We can help you organise a funeral today or plan ahead for the future.
