Simple, Affordable Direct Cremations
from £1,195
Whether you need a direct cremation now or are planning ahead, our caring Aura Angels are here to support you every step of the way.
What is a Direct Cremation?
Direct cremation, also known as unattended or simple cremation, is a low-cost alternative to a traditional funeral. It removes many of the usual expenses, such as embalming, hearses, and limousines, and involves cremation without a formal service or mourners present, while still ensuring the person who has died is treated with care and dignity.
In recent years, direct cremation has grown significantly in popularity across the UK. Today, around 1 in 5 funerals are direct cremations, according to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report, reflecting how many families are choosing a simpler and more flexible way to say goodbye.
At Aura, we bring the person who has died into our care and look after them until the time comes. They’ll be cremated privately, after which we can either hand-deliver the ashes specially to you at home, or we can scatter them on your behalf at the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance – whatever you think would be best.
If you feel that a simple yet dignified direct cremation would be appropriate, please be assured that we’ll support you every step of the way.ℹ
Everything you need from £1,195
1. Contact us 24/7
We’re here whenever you need us—day or night, 365 days a year. Whether your loved one has passed or you’re preparing ahead of time, call us, and our caring team will guide you through the next steps.
2. We’ll take your loved one into our care
We’ll arrange for the dignified and respectful collection of your loved one, transporting them from their place of passing to one of our trusted crematorium partners.
3. We’ll handle the paperwork and cremation
Our team will manage all the necessary paperwork and ensure a respectful, unattended cremation. We’ll keep you informed throughout, so you don’t have to worry about the details.
4. We’ll return the ashes to you
Once the cremation is complete, we will carefully return the ashes to you in a simple, dignified container, or scatter them on your behalf, based on your wishes.
Person-Centred Care from Our Aura Angels
When you reach out to Aura, our compassionate Angels are here to guide you every step of the way.
With deep care and years of expertise, they ensure that your experience is both comforting and seamless.
Whether you choose a direct cremation or a fully attended service, our Angels handle every detail with thoughtfulness and respect. They’re the heart of what we do, and their dedication has made us the highest-rated ‘Cremation Service’ provider on Trustpilot.
The UK’s top rated Direct Cremation service
How much does an Aura Cremation cost?
At Aura, we want to make sure that the life of each loved one we commemorate is honoured properly, which means that we offer a range of funerals, with different prices.
The figures below show you the starting price for each of our services. To get a clear quote for your loved one’s bespoke funeral, our compassionate Angel team is just a phone call away.
Attended Service
from £2,095
A short, intimate ceremony, or a fully attended service ranging between 10 and 40 minutes.
What’s Included in an Aura Direct Cremation?
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Professional service available 24/7
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Collection of the person who has died
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Care and preparation of the person who has died
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Medical device removal prior to cremation
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Simple, dignified coffin
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Transportation to the crematorium
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Cremation fees
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Local ashes pickup option
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Urgent collection+ £250
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Hand-return of the ashes+ £100
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Bariatric or oversized coffin+ £250
Looking for an attended direct cremation service?
How to arrange a Direct Cremation
Verifying the death
Before we can take over your loved one’s care, their death will need to be verified by a medical professional.
Arranging collection
After the medical verification has been carried out, we will arrange to bring your loved one into care as soon as possible.
Registering the death
Our Aura Angels will guide you through the death registration process and the legal forms that will need to be completed.
Aura Angel Support
Our compassionate Angels team will be on hand to support you through every step of the process – it’s what they do best.
Your step-by-step guide to direct cremation
Our free guide to arranging a direct cremation gives you a clear, step-by-step overview of what’s involved, helping you to understand the process and explore whether it’s the right choice for you or your loved ones.
Whether you are thinking ahead for someone on end-of-life care or arranging a funeral now for someone who has passed, we hope this guide can help.
In this guide, you will find:
- Information about Aura and the support we offer.
- The steps to take when someone passes away.
- Details of the direct cremation process.
Expert Care in Your Community
We provide direct cremation services across mainland Britain, bringing compassionate care to families in their local communities.
Even if you’re in a remote area, feel free to call our friendly team to confirm if we serve your location. We won’t put any pressure on you—our team is here to offer guidance and support every step of the way.
Why Choose an Aura Direct Cremation?
Person centred care from Our Aura Angels
Our families trust us for the personal touch. With a dedicated Aura Angel as your single point of contact, you can rely on our compassionate, seamless support during this difficult time.
A Family-Run Business with Heart
Founded by Paul Jameson, Aura reflects the care he wanted for his own family. As a family-run business, we treat each family with the same level of service and compassion we would expect for our loved ones.
Compassionate, Close-to-Home Care
Aura offers the highest quality care with a personal touch. We respond quickly and compassionately, ensuring your loved one is collected within 72 hours, with attentive support every step of the way.
Frequently asked questions
To see our full list of FAQs, please click here.
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What is a direct cremation?
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A direct cremation is an increasingly popular, more affordable alternative to a traditional funeral. There are usually no mourners present; we bring the person who has died to our mortuary facilities from where they passed away. And then, when it’s time, we bring them to the crematorium where they are cremated.
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How much does a direct cremation cost?
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Direct cremation is usually the most affordable type of funeral because it does not include a formal service, procession, or mourners at the crematorium.
According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report, the average total cost of a traditional funeral in the UK costs around £5,140. In comparison, a direct cremation is often significantly less expensive.
At Aura, direct cremation services start from £1,195.
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What is the difference between a direct cremation and a traditional funeral?
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A direct cremation is a simple cremation that takes place without a service or mourners present. The person who has died is cremated privately, and the ashes are returned to the family, who can arrange a memorial later if they wish.
A traditional funeral usually includes a ceremony with family and friends, often with a hearse, music, readings, and a service led by a celebrant or faith leader.
Because it removes many of these elements, a direct cremation is usually much more affordable.
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What are the benefits of direct cremation?
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A direct cremation is usually a lot cheaper than a traditional option. That’s because it doesn’t include expensive formalities like a hearse or floral tributes. It also gives people an alternative to tradition, if that’s not something they would be comfortable with. It can also be less stressful to arrange.
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Can I attend a direct cremation?
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With Aura, you absolutely can. Direct cremations usually proceed without mourners, but we have two different attended direct cremation services to choose from – ‘Wonderfully Imagined: Intimate’, and ‘Attended’. Our ‘Intimate’ option allows up to 15 close friends and family to attend a short service. We also have an ‘Attended’ option: as many guests as can be accommodated by the crematorium can attend a service lasting for up to 45 minutes.
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Can Aura take over from another funeral director?
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Of course we can. All you need to do is let your existing funeral director know that you’d like us to take care of you. Just make sure to settle any remaining fees you might owe them, and then we can get straight to work on bringing your loved one into our care.
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What happens to the ashes after a direct cremation?
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You have a choice about what happens with the ashes after cremation. We can either hand-deliver them to your door in a durable scatter-tube. This means that they are ready to be released at a location dear to your loved one. Or we can simply scatter them on your behalf at the crematorium’s own garden of remembrance – it’s up to you.
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Can I spend time with my loved one in the Chapel of Rest?
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If you would like to arrange a viewing at a Chapel of Rest, we may be able to help. If this is important to you, please do not hesitate to give our team a call and we can discuss the options with you.
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What happens if my loved one passes away at home?
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If your loved one passes away at home, hospice, or a care home, we will arrange urgent collection within a few hours for an additional charge of £250. This ensures your loved one is brought into care promptly. For those in hospitals or mortuaries, collection occurs within 72 hours as part of our standard service.
