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Written by Adam McIlroy.
18 minute read
People often assume that a direct cremation and a pauper’s funeral are the same thing. In some ways, this is understandable, as they share some similarities, but there are some key differences between them which are important to understand.
More and more of us are looking to personalise our funerals so that they reflect who we were in life, whether through our interests, hobbies, tastes, or our identities. That might help to explain why direct cremation has become more popular: it’s a flexible, more personal kind of funeral ceremony, often unattended, that allows people to leave some of the traditional formalities to the side. People can then have a more special and celebratory send-off later on, or not, as preferred.
But funeral practices are not just changing because of an increasing demand among people for self-expression. Sadly, the costs of living and dying are also having a big impact on the way that funerals are happening in the UK: namely, the increasing frequency of the ‘pauper’s funeral’.
Below, we’ll take a little look at the meaning of the term ‘pauper’s funeral’, and how it differs from a direct cremation.
Key takeaways
A pauper’s funeral, known more officially by the name, ‘public health funeral’, is a kind of ceremony which a local council is legally obliged to arrange for someone who has died within their boundaries.
While the term ‘pauper’s funeral’ is widely recognised, it can sometimes carry outdated or negative connotations. As society’s attitudes around end-of-life care have shifted, many now prefer the term ‘public health funeral,’ which better reflects the dignity and care still afforded to every individual. For the purpose of this article, we will use terms to help readers find the information they need, while recognising the changes in language and understanding.
This type of funeral is happening more and more due to the financial impact of COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis in the UK. According to a recent study by the Mirror, one percent of all funerals in the UK in 2021 were Pauper’s Funerals. Similarly, the New Statesman found that the frequency of the Pauper’s Funerals has doubled since before the pandemic in the UK’s poorest areas.
Like a Direct Cremation, they are a stripped-back type of service, but they normally forgo absolutely everything that isn’t strictly necessary. With a Direct Cremation, the organiser might actively choose to let go of some of the formality because that’s what they’re more comfortable with. But, sadly, with a Pauper’s Funeral, there isn’t a choice: the only option available to the person who has died is the most austere ceremony possible, even if they may have wanted something grander.
According to the UK Government’s own guidance for local councils, they are legally required to carry out a pauper’s funeral for public health reasons. Strictly speaking, anyone who dies without next of kin, or whose surviving next of kin are unwilling or unable to organise things, is eligible for a pauper’s funeral. This is often the case with homeless people, for instance, who will likely have died without the means to fund their own funeral, and whose next-of-kin are often impossible to trace.
While the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 applies in England and Wales, Scotland follows its own legislation under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016, and processes may differ slightly. In practice, however, local authorities across all four UK nations have a duty to arrange a funeral when no one else is able to do so.
If a family is in the position of needing a public health funeral, the local council should pay for it. First, though, they need to satisfy themselves that the family requesting it is unable to pay for things themselves, or with the estate of the person who has died, and they also need to receive notification in writing that the family is giving up responsibility for the funeral.
If the funeral goes ahead as a public health funeral, the council may seek to recover the cost from the estate of the person who has died. This can include savings, investments, or property they owned in their sole name. Councils usually have up to three years to recover these costs. However, jointly owned assets, such as a home shared with a spouse, and personal belongings left to a widow, widower, or surviving civil partner are not included in this process.
Depending on where in the UK the funeral will be, the ashes of the person who has died may or may not be returned to their family; some authorities allow it, others don’t. In 2018, ITV News reported that British people face being entered into a postcode lottery when it comes to the availability of public health funeral services from the local government. It means that for standard elements of the funeral process, like the return of ashes, the outcome may differ from place to place.
A pauper’s grave is different to the graves associated with other funerals, in the sense that it is not privately owned by the family of the person who has died. This means that it may not be possible to mark the grave in any way that commemorates the buried person. This is usually because, with a public health funeral where there is a burial, it could be that the person who has died is interred in a grave alongside someone who has already been buried there, or they may have someone else buried with them later.
Many people ask, ‘can you attend a public health funeral‘? In some cases, attendance is possible, but it depends on the local council and the arrangements they have made.
Public health funerals are organised by the council, and decisions about attendance are based on practical considerations such as location, capacity, and the type of service being arranged. Because of this, some services may be unattended, while others may allow limited attendance.
If you would like to be there, it’s best to contact the environmental health department of the relevant local council as early as possible. They can let you know the date and time of the service, and whether attending will be possible.
If being present at the service is important to you, a direct cremation with Aura offers more flexibility. You can choose whether the service is attended or unattended, depending on what feels right for you and your family.
If you need to request a pauper’s funeral, the first step is to contact the environmental health department of the local council where the person died, rather than where they lived. The council will guide you through what is needed and explain how the process works.
They will usually ask for written confirmation from the next of kin stating that they are unable or unwilling to take responsibility for arranging and paying for the funeral. This allows the council to step in and take over the arrangements.
Before proceeding, the council will carry out checks to see whether the person who has died had any assets or funds in their estate that could be used to cover the cost. If funds are available, these may be used instead. Councils aim to act as quickly as needed, but families do not control the date or time of the funeral. Arrangements are made based on availability and practical considerations.
The SunLife Cost of Dying Report suggests that the national average total cost of a funeral is £5,140, so the rise in more economical, and Pauper’s, funerals is hardly surprising.
If you are struggling to pay for a funeral, we hope it brings some comfort to know that there are a few options out there for you. The UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has two different pathways for support: The Bereavement Support Payment and The Funeral Expenses Payment. If you find yourself needing access to the funds inside the bank account of a loved one who has died, in order to pay for their funeral, you may be able to access it via the Grant of Probate scheme. Most banks have trained teams ready to deal with specific questions about bereavement too.
Funeral plan
Buying a funeral plan is something many people do in order to keep costs down. Legal & General have projected an 84% increase in funeral costs in the UK over a 20-year period (2003-2023). By 2033, the average cost could be £6,259. Buying a funeral plan allows you to lock in today’s prices, and you can even split the cost into manageable instalments, if you prefer.
Direct cremation
A direct cremation ceremony, as mentioned, allows you to forgo many of the added formalities and extras associated with typical funerals. Not only does this mean that it might suit you if you are not keen on elements like hearses, funeral processions or pallbearers, but you might also save money in the process. Aura’s at-need direct cremation prices start at £1,195, with options such as an intimate funeral or fully attended service.
Cost-effective send-off
Saying goodbye doesn’t have to mean spending thousands. You have complete freedom to celebrate the life of someone special in whatever way feels right — whether that’s a grand and joyful end-of-life celebration or a quiet and intimate farewell. A cost-effective send-off might mean gathering close family and friends for a simple evening at home, sharing memories over a board game, or hosting a cosy movie night with some of their favourite films.
There are no rules when it comes to remembering a loved one. Whether the funeral itself is a public health funeral arranged by the council, or a straightforward direct cremation, the celebration you create around it can be as meaningful and personal as you wish. What matters most is the love, connection, and memories shared, not how much is spent.
Life insurance
People sometimes find that taking out a life insurance policy can help make things easier for their families when the time comes for their funeral. Depending on your age at when you take out the policy, there could be a greater or lesser benefit amount, and some providers also allow for a funeral benefit option, which can contribute to funeral costs.
Crowdfunding
Some families turn to online fundraising platforms, such as GoFundMe or JustGiving, or local community efforts to help cover funeral costs. Friends, neighbours, and even strangers often want to offer support during bereavement, and small contributions can make a meaningful difference.
Charity support
Some charities offer grants or financial help towards funeral costs, particularly if your loved one was part of the armed forces, had a specific illness, or belonged to a professional or religious community. It can be worth checking whether any organisations they were connected to in life are able to offer support. Turn2Us is a national charity that offers financial grants for people experiencing hardship, and may be able to help.
Good research
Make sure that you’ve understood what different companies are offering in terms of funeral options, so that you can make an informed decision about what will work best for you. You might be surprised by how far the price of a funeral can vary from provider to provider, even if the service is essentially the same, so it pays to be prepared. You can head to reputable third-parties like Trustpilot, to see what customers are saying about the kind of service they’ve received, or to Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert for objective, consumer-focused analysis of what’s out there on the market.
The difference between these two types of funeral is hopefully clear by now, but just to reiterate, it’s the personal choice and circumstances that make all the difference.
A direct cremation, while it can be minimalistic, and while its increasing popularity could be explained by its cheaper-than-average price, is different and more complicated than that. It allows someone to avoid traditions or formalities that they are not comfortable with, especially if they weren’t religious. It even lets them add personal touches to their ceremony, like words or music special to them, or a customised coffin. Even David Bowie had a direct cremation ceremony without any attendees present, just like the kind of service offered by Aura.
As a family-run funeral provider, Aura was built on the belief that every person deserves a thoughtful and respectful farewell, without unnecessary complexity or pressure. That means offering clear choices, compassionate support, and the flexibility to create something that feels right for you and your family.
If you have any questions about direct cremation, or would like more information about any of our funeral plans, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our website, or by giving us a call. We’d be very pleased to hear from you.
A pauper’s funeral, more formally known as a public health funeral, is a basic funeral arranged and paid for by the local council. It is typically provided when someone dies without any next of kin, or when their family is unwilling or unable to pay for the funeral themselves.
You may be eligible for a public health funeral if:
There are no known next of kin
Next of kin exist but cannot be located or contacted
The family cannot afford or refuses to organise the funeral
This often applies to people who were homeless or without financial means at the time of their death.
No. While both are simple and often unattended, a pauper’s funeral is arranged out of necessity by the local authority, with no choice over the format. A direct cremation is chosen by the family or the person who has died for its flexibility, affordability, and personalisation. Direct cremation allows input on music, timings, and even how ashes are returned.
A pauper’s funeral is free to the family, the cost is covered by the local council. The average cost of a public health funeral to the council is approximately £1,403, though this varies by region and council. If the deceased had any savings, property, or assets (their estate), the council may reclaim some or all of this cost from the estate within a period of up to three years after the funeral. However, jointly-held assets or property left to a surviving spouse are excluded
No, but the council must first confirm in writing that the family cannot pay and has handed over responsibility. Councils also check if the cost could be covered from the deceased’s estate (for example, their bank account or belongings).
Not always. It depends on the local council’s policies. In some cases, attendance is permitted, but in others, public health considerations, location, or budget restrictions mean no guests are allowed. If attendance matters to you, a direct cremation with Aura may be a better choice, as attended options are available.
It varies by region. Some councils return the ashes to the family if requested, but others do not. This inconsistency has been referred to as a “postcode lottery,” with policies differing widely across the UK.
A pauper’s grave is a plot used during a public health funeral, typically not owned by the family. Graves are often unmarked or shared with others, which means personalisation is usually not allowed.
If cost is the barrier, there are other dignified and affordable options:
Direct cremation – starts from £1,195 with Aura, and includes the option for a later celebration of life
Funeral plans – allow you to lock in today’s prices and pay in instalments
Government help – Funeral Expenses Payment and Bereavement Support Payment may be available
Life insurance – some policies include a funeral benefit
Yes. If you’re concerned about cost, a direct cremation or a prepaid funeral plan may be the right alternative. Aura offers low-cost cremation with optional personal touches, allowing families to say goodbye in a respectful and meaningful way without formal processions or high fees.
You can apply for:
Funeral Expenses Payment – for people on qualifying benefits
Bereavement Support Payment – if you were married or in a civil partnership with the person who died
Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or visit Gov.uk for eligibility criteria and application forms.
A direct cremation offers you flexibility, control, and dignity. You can:
Choose music or words meaningful to the person who died
Hold a memorial or celebration of life later
Keep or scatter the ashes in a way that feels right
Even without a large budget, you can honour someone’s memory in a personal and heartfelt way.
Placing two pennies (or two pence coins) on a grave is an informal folk tradition sometimes associated with paupers’ graves and unmarked burials in the UK. The gesture is thought to be a symbolic act of respect, a way of saying that even those who died without means are remembered and valued. The exact origin of the tradition is debated, but it has persisted as a quiet way for communities to honour those who died without family or funds. It is not an official or religious practice.