×
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.
During times of loss, the way we choose to say goodbye can affect how we process grief and pay tribute to the life of a loved one. It is an important choice to consider. An ‘intimate’ funeral is one style of service to think about when either planning your own funeral, or that of a loved one.
If you’re reading this because you’re in that situation, we want to acknowledge that it can be both an emotionally challenging and confusing process. With all of the funeral options out there, it can be intimidating to be sure you’re selecting the right one for you and your family.
We hope that this article can help you decide if you’re interested in this slightly different take on the traditional funeral.
An ‘intimate’ funeral is a type of attended direct cremation ceremony designed to be shorter, smaller, and more private than a traditional attended funeral ceremony. It is Aura’s solution to the gap in available middle-ground options.
For close family and friends, it is an opportunity to gather, reflect, and celebrate the life of the person who has died in a way that suits their unique needs. With fewer attendees, this type of funeral allows mourners to say goodbye in a setting that prioritises connection and comfort.
Unlike traditional funerals, which may involve large gatherings and formal structures, intimate farewells, by nature, are more relaxed, straightforward and flexible. Many families love the fact that they can be thoughtfully customised and family-led, though the option to have a religious leader or celebrant officiate is still available to them.
Familiar elements like flowers, music, and readings can be included in these ceremonies, but the shorter duration makes it essential to prioritise what was most important to the person who has died. For those planning the funeral, this might come as a relief, as there are fewer moving parts to lock into place.
For lots of families, a fully attended funeral ceremony with all of the bells and whistles isn’t the right way to say goodbye to their loved one, but a direct cremation is too far the other way, and they need the opportunity to say a private farewell at the crematorium.
They’re ideal for those who want to respect the wishes of their loved one who has died, but don’t want the extra involvement that comes with a larger ceremony.
An ‘Intimate Farewell’ is Aura’s solution for families who prefer something between a fully attended service and a completely unattended one. It involves a 10-minute time slot at one of the numerous locations across England, Scotland and Wales for up to 15 people to spend a few final moments in the crematorium chapel with their loved one.
Taking place early in the morning – usually between 8:30am and 9:30am – loved ones are given a 10-minute time slot to spend with their loved one in the chapel. That time is theirs to do with what they feel is right. Some families opt to play music for the full duration, whereas others might prefer to sit and reflect in silence.
Friends and family can speak, sing, or stand with their loved one’s coffin and talk privately to them. There is no formal structure, no pressure and no formula to follow; that’s the beauty of an Intimate Farewell with Aura.
An Intimate Farewell is more affordable, costing a total of £2,095, which includes the cremation fees, a simple coffin, administration and paperwork support and the hand-delivery of your loved one’s ashes to your chosen address for a nominal fee. Alternatively, you can choose to have the ashes scattered at the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance.
This cost also includes the full support of our dedicated Aura Angel team, who are experts in funeral arranging. Their guidance includes uploading your selected music to the crematorium’s system and assisting the family in preparing readings, poems, or a eulogy, if desired. They also handle practical aspects of the arrangements, such as managing necessary paperwork.
There may be additional costs 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.
An intimate funeral is defined by its scaled-down size, opportunity for more personal touches, and simplicity.
Intimate funerals typically include only immediate family members and close friends, making it a more personal environment. This limited attendance allows for a deeper emotional connection among those present and usually supports a space where most everyone feels comfortable sharing memories and feelings.
A smaller guest list can ease the stress of managing invitations for the organiser. With a limited number of attendees, there’s no need to justify why some were invited and others weren’t—it’s simply a private family gathering.
The smaller scale of intimate funerals can make them easier to organise and manage. With less time and fewer people to plan for, the person organising it can place more focus on their feelings and processing grief. When the formalities of a larger ceremony are stripped away, arrangements are brought down to the aspects of a funeral that matter the most: sharing memories and meaningful tributes, and creating a space to say goodbye.
Despite the compact timeline, intimate funerals allow families to incorporate elements that truly reflect their loved one’s energy and personality. From favourite songs to meaningful decor, loved ones can play an active role in designing a special service. By adding heartfelt touches that honour the person’s life and legacy, intimate funerals can be just as touching and potent as those that are fully attended.
Choosing an intimate funeral can offer emotional, practical, and financial advantages for grieving families and friends.
These smaller gatherings can foster a sense of closeness and support, potentially making it easier for attendees to share personal memories and anecdotes, and provide comfort to one another. This environment often feels less overwhelming and structured, allowing for more genuine interactions.
Since there is generally less pressure to conform with intimate funerals, they provide the freedom to design a ceremony that reflects the unique preferences of the person who has died. Families can incorporate special rituals, and adapt the tone of the service to their needs. If the person who has died has planned their own funeral, perhaps they have left specific instructions for loved ones to follow when organising the service.
With fewer guests and streamlined arrangements, intimate funerals are often less expensive and logistically demanding. This can ease financial and organisational pressures, allowing families to focus on their grief and remembrance.
Creating an intimate funeral that feels personal and profound involves thoughtful planning and attention to detail. Even with a more no-fuss funeral, there are different options to consider and decisions to make.
When planning an intimate funeral, it’s important to select a small group of attendees who were closest to the person who has died. Open communication with extended family or friends can help manage expectations and explain the decision to keep the gathering small.
Personalisation is one way to make the ceremony feel special and tailored to the person who has died. Families might include their loved one’s favourite music, display photos or keepsakes, and customise readings or eulogies to celebrate their life. Such elements create a lasting memory that feels authentic and heartfelt.
In general, the etiquette for these types of funerals is similar to traditional funeral etiquette in the UK, though they often have a more relaxed and informal atmosphere. The following are a few points to consider before attending:
In addition to intimate funerals, families may consider alternative ways to honour their loved ones:
A memorial service can complement an intimate funeral, especially when larger groups wish to pay their respects. These services can be scheduled at a later date, providing flexibility and the opportunity to accommodate more attendees – or even right after the funeral. Memorials can happen at just about any venue, but some popular choices include pubs, parks or gardens, private homes and community centers or village halls.
For those unable to attend in person, live streaming or video recordings can include friends and family members anywhere in the world. Virtual options maintain inclusivity while keeping the in-person gathering small and private.
Celebrations of life can happen before, after, or instead of a formal funeral, and tend to focus on joy, personal stories, and the person’s achievements and values. These are generally more relaxed and informal gatherings, occurring at a variety of venues. Designed to bring family and friends together to celebrate shared memories, they are suitable for all faiths or secular preferences, with flexibility to include or exclude religious elements altogether.
Organising a funeral, no matter the scale, can be emotionally and logistically challenging. Support services can help families navigate the process with care and expertise.
Working with professionals such as funeral directors who specialise in small, personalised ceremonies can make planning more manageable.They assist with logistics such as transportation and scheduling, ensuring a smooth process.
Aura is proud to provide such services to families all across mainland Britain, and we have earned an excellent rating of 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot through our dedication to quality and transparency. With our Intimate Farewell funerals, this means staying in close contact with you throughout the arrangement process, making sure every detail is set into place.
Grieving families and friends often benefit from professional counselling services such as grief therapy or support groups. Connecting with others who have experienced similar losses can be deeply comforting. Online forums, local groups, Death Cafes, or religious communities offer spaces for shared understanding and healing.
Organisations like Cruse Bereavement Support provide guidance and emotional assistance, helping people navigate their loss.
No, intimate funerals can include anyone significant to the person who has died, whether close friends, mentors, or extended family members. An intimate service can even be attended by a single person… it’s all up to you. The goal is to balance inclusivity with the need for a peaceful, personal atmosphere.
Intimate funerals are uncomplicated and personal, with a focus on emotional intimacy. While traditional funerals often involve larger gatherings, formal rituals, and are more structured, this streamlined approach to a funeral celebrates beauty in simplicity. Each style caters to different preferences and needs.
With Aura, an Intimate Farewell offers all the services included in a direct cremation, such as transferring the person who has died into our care at our state-of-the-art facilities, providing a simple coffin, cremation fees, and returning the ashes to the family within 21 days of the cremation taking place.
While a direct cremation does not allow for attendees or a service, an Intimate Farewell provides the opportunity for a small group of close friends and family to gather at the crematorium for a final goodbye. This option also allows families to select the crematorium location, making the service more personal.
Yes, intimate funerals can align with any religious, spiritual, or secular beliefs. Families can feel free to consult faith leaders for guidance on incorporating rituals into smaller gatherings, hire a celebrant, or proceed with a fully family-led service.
Aura’s Intimate funeral provides a heartfelt and personalised way to honour a loved one’s life. At Aura, we support families in celebrating their loved one’s life in a manner that feels truly meaningful to them.
We understand that the early stages of grief after losing a loved one can be some of the most challenging days a person can endure. As a family-run company, our mission is to provide the same compassionate care we would extend to our own loved ones at every stage of the journey.
Our Aura Angels are here to support you in whatever way you need. They’ll be there to talk with you, listen to you, celebrate your memories, and share in your grief. Whether guiding you through the process step by step or stepping back to let you take the lead, our Aura Angels will stand by your side whenever you need them.
