Family-Run Cremation Services in the UK
Trusted, person-centred cremation services and customer care that is secure and highly rated.
Five-star cremation services delivered with compassion
Aura is a family-run provider of quality direct cremation services throughout mainland Britain.
We’re also the top-rated cremation services provider on Trustpilot, with 4.9/5 stars, as well as being the only direct-cremation plan provider with two 5-star-rated plans on Fairer Finance.
Every day, following our founder Paul’s vision, we strive to offer you the kind of service that he himself would want for his own family. Our family-run ethos is the guiding light that helps us to consistently offer outstanding care to the families who place their trust in us.
Arrange a cremation anywhere in mainland Britain
Aura’s direct cremation services offer something to everyone. We cater to two main groups of people: those who need a funeral in the shorter term, for example for a loved one who has very recently passed away, and those looking for a funeral plan for their own future funeral.
Our direct cremation funerals can have a ceremony and be fully attended by mourners, or simple and completely unattended – whatever is preferred.
Direct cremations
We’ll collect the person who has died from where they’ve passed away and bring them into our care.
On the day of the cremation, we’ll take them to the crematorium privately and keep you informed of the date and time, so that you can choose to reflect on your loved one’s life in a way that feels right.
Prepaid direct cremation plans
Aura offers the UK’s highest rated prepaid direct cremation plans, rated by customers and experts alike.
Secure your funeral costs at today’s prices, and save those closest to you from paying unnecessary extras at an already difficult time. A prepaid cremation plan brings peace of mind for all, knowing that everything is taken care of.
Our Direct Cremation Process
1. We’re ready to listen
2. Collecting your loved one
3. Supporting you and your family
4. A chance to say farewell
5. The cremation
6. Your loved one’s ashes
Why choose Aura instead of a high street cremation company?
An Aura direct cremation offers you a cost-effective alternative to the traditional option which doesn’t compromise on quality.
As an online, national provider without costly physical stores, we offer more affordable options than high-street funeral directors. You can arrange a simple goodbye that is far cheaper than a traditional funeral, all from the comfort of your own home.
One of the biggest reasons to choose Aura is that you will be looked after by our top-class Angel team. They are experts in person-centred care who will be there to guide you through the difficult process of arranging a funeral for a loved one. The support our Angels offer is rated highly by customers, helping to make us the top-rated direct cremation services provider on Trustpilot, with 4.9/5 stars.
Compare Direct Cremation Plan Providers
Out of the providers compared, we are the top-rated with both customers and independent experts, having the best rating on Trustpilot and with Fairer Finance.
It’s success like that which helps us to know that we’ve got the right balance of quality, affordability and trustworthiness. Don’t just take our word for it; see how we compare to other providers.
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| Fairer Finance | ||||
| Starting Price | £1,695 | £2,095 | £1,700 | £1,950 |
| Trustpilot | 4.9/5 stars | 4.8/5 stars | 4.6/5 stars | 4.3/5 stars |
| All-Inclusive Pricingℹ | ||||
| Free Cancellation Anytimeℹ | ||||
| Money-Back Guaranteeℹ |
This comparison only includes direct cremation plans. Information is correct as of January 2026.
Arrange a direct cremation today, or plan ahead
Aura offers a family-run cremation service to both those who need immediate help to arrange a funeral, and those who need a funeral plan for their future.
Direct Cremation
from £1,195
For those requiring a funeral now for someone who has passed away, our family-run direct cremations offer person-centred care and support whilst you navigate this process. Our expert team of Aura Angels are on hand to help every step of the way.
Prepaid Direct Cremation Plans
from £1,695
Our Funeral Plans page explains everything you need to know about our prepaid direct cremation plans, including pricing and benefits. Otherwise, if you’d like to speak with a helpful member of our team, they’re just a phone call away.
Aura Cremation FAQs
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What happens at an unattended cremation?
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With an Aura unattended cremation service, the person who has died is brought to the crematorium in a private ambulance, and then placed on the catafalque inside the chapel. Music dear to them will play as this happens. An attendant at the crematorium will then say a few words out of respect, and shortly after that the cremation will occur.
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What happens at an attended cremation service?
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With Aura’s attended cremation services, the person who has died will be escorted to the crematorium in a private ambulance. Within their coffin, they’ll be placed upon the catafalque in the chapel, as music that was special to them plays. They will already have been placed there before any mourners arrive. A service can then be led by a celebrant or religious minister who has been chosen by the family. Shortly after the ceremony, the cremation will occur.
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Do you still have a funeral if you are cremated?
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The short answer is yes. But, depending on whether the funeral is attended or unattended, there may or may not be a fully designed service led by a celebrant. For unattended cremations, once the deceased arrives at the chapel to the sound of music dear to them, the crematorium attendant will say a few words in honour of them, and shortly after that they will be cremated. For attended cremations, guests will arrive after the coffin has been brought in, and the cremation will happen shortly after the ceremony has concluded.
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What is the average cost of a cremation in the UK?
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According to SunLife, the average total funeral spend in the UK last year was £5,140. Both Aura’s funeral plans and direct cremations at the point of need start at a price less than half of that average cost: £1,695, and £1,195 respectively.
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What is the cheapest way to be cremated?
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The cheapest form of cremation offered by Aura is an unattended direct cremation without any mourners. Costs for direct cremations without a plan start at £1,195. This form of cremation tends to be the cheapest because it goes without the traditional formalities like expensive hearses, limousines, and flower displays.
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How long is a cremation service?
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It depends on the type of cremation you select. Aura offers three main options: an unattended direct cremation, and two attended direct cremations: an intimate option and a fully attended option. With the intimate option, the service will last 10 minutes, and the fully attended option can last up to 40 minutes. The unattended cremation service will last for less than 15 minutes.
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What happens before a cremation service takes place?
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We will collect the person who has died from where they have passed away and bring them into our care at state-of-the-art mortuary facilities. After this, we will prepare them for cremation by removing any medical devices. We will also support you with the legal paperwork required before a cremation can proceed.
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What paperwork is needed for a cremation service?
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The death will first need to be declared by a doctor or coroner. If the death is verified by a doctor, they will then submit the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the right registry office for you. Once the registry office receives this certificate, they will contact the next of kin of the person who has died, and they can officially register the death. Once the death has been registered, the funeral director is given a Certificate for Burial or Cremation.