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Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
4 minute read
Direct cremations allow families to arrange a simple cremation at a fraction of the cost of a traditional funeral. But where did they come from, and how do they differ from a traditional funeral?
The plight of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our day-to-day lives in many ways. But perhaps one of the most noticeable changes that we have seen as a result of two years in lockdown is the rise of direct cremations.
For thousands of families, a direct cremation was the only option. Limitations on attendees meant that families could no longer gather to say goodbye to their loved ones in the way that tradition once led.
Of course, a ceremonial farewell to those we love is an important part of the grief journey for many of us. But for others, perhaps these lockdown restrictions inadvertently paved a new kind of goodbye, one that felt more fitting and personal to the families for whom traditional funerals weren’t quite the right fit.
Simply put, a direct cremation allowed families to arrange a simple, no-fuss funeral in the short period of time in which a funeral must be arranged after somebody dies, but that is not where the farewell stopped.
A direct cremation simply allowed families to take a breath, do the things they needed to do in the weeks after their loved one’s death, and arrange a more meaningful, personalised celebration of life at a time that felt right.
In its simplest form, a direct cremation is a cremation that takes place with no service and no attendees. The crematorium in which the cremation takes place is chosen at the discretion of the funeral director, and the person who has died is taken in a private ambulance from the facilities they are resting in, to the crematorium on the day of the cremation.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that, even though there are no attendees present, a direct cremation is still handled in an incredibly sensitive and dignified way. At Aura, we allow families the opportunity to play a special piece of music or song as their loved one is taken through the chapel, and the chapel attendants at our partnered crematoria will say a few words to honour that person’s life before the cremation takes place.
Then, within 21 days of the cremation, the ashes of the person who has died are taken directly back to the family at home at no extra charge, which means families can have peace of mind knowing that their loved one is in very safe hands.
The cost of a direct cremation varies depending on the provider. Aura’s direct cremation costs start at £1,095, which includes the cremation fees, a simple coffin, and administration and paperwork support.
There may be additional fees depending on the circumstances surrounding a death, such as urgent collection fees and oversized or bariatric coffin fees, but our expert Aura Angel support team will guide you through these if they are required.
With Aura, yes you can.
Whilst a direct cremation is technically defined as being unattended, we offer a type of funeral that holds the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of a direct cremation, but also allows family members to say their own farewell at the crematorium.
Our network of 80 crematoria across mainland Great Britain gives families the opportunity to choose how they say goodbye, from a 15-minute Intimate Farewell for close friends and family to a fully attended ceremony up to 45 minutes.
Here at Aura, we help families to focus on celebrating the life of someone they love, in a way that feels right to them.
But we also understand that those first stages of grief after we lose a loved one can bring some of the most difficult days that a person can face. That’s why we have a dedicated, professional team of Aura Angels to guide you through the process from start to finish.
Our Aura Angels will talk to you, listen to you, commemorate with you, and mourn with you. They will take you by the hand and help you through the process step-by-step, or step back and let you lead the way. In whatever way you need them, whenever you need them, our Aura Angels will be there.
Whether you would like to arrange a simple direct cremation so that you can celebrate your loved one’s life when the time feels right, or a fully attended ceremony to bring the most treasured people together for one final goodbye, Aura is with you.
To find out more about Aura Funerals or to speak to a member of our Aura Angel team, please call 0333 242 1088.
