What is a direct cremation?
A direct cremation is a cremation without a funeral service or mourners present.
It's also called an unattended cremation. The person who's died is cared for by your funeral director and then cremated at a time the funeral director arranges.
An unattended burial works in the same way, with a burial instead of a cremation. You can also choose an unattended woodland burial, in a natural setting.
Why do people choose an unattended funeral?
Families choose an unattended funeral because the person who's died asked for one, or because they'd rather remember them in their own way.
Some people simply don't want a formal service. Others would like family and friends to gather later, somewhere that meant something to them.
A direct cremation is also simpler than a funeral with a service. It doesn't need a hearse, a service room or a burial plot.
Customs vary between faiths and cultures, and some faiths ask for a service or a burial. Your funeral director can talk through what matters to your family.
What happens in a direct cremation?
In a FuneralCoop direct cremation, we care for the person who's died at our funeral home until the cremation, then return the ashes to you.
Here's what happens:
- We bring the person who's died into our care, at any time of day or night.
- We look after them at our funeral home and take care of the paperwork.
- When it's time, we take them to the crematorium, usually our own Bretby Crematorium near Burton upon Trent.
- They're taken through a service room, where our colleagues say their name aloud and bow before the cremation.
- We let you know when the ashes are ready, and you decide what happens next.
Before the cremation can go ahead, the death needs to be registered. Your funeral director needs the green form, the Certificate for Burial or Cremation, which you receive when you register.
Do you get a coffin with a direct cremation?
Yes, a FuneralCoop direct cremation includes a simple coffin.
We'll also dress the person who's died in a simple gown, or in their own clothes if you'd like to provide them. Your funeral director will let you know when they need the clothes.
Can I see them before the cremation?
Yes, you can visit the person who's died at our funeral home, by appointment, for an extra charge.
Your funeral director can arrange a time that suits you.
How much does an unattended funeral cost?
The cost of an unattended funeral depends on the option you choose and your local funeral centre. Crematorium or burial fees are added on top.
Your funeral director will give you a full estimate before you decide, so you can see every cost.
Find your nearest funeral centre
- Unattended cremation
- Unattended burial (grave not included)
- Unattended woodland burial, including the plot
Every option includes collecting the person who's died within 15 miles, caring for them and taking care of the paperwork. Beyond 15 miles, there's a charge for extra mileage.
For a burial, buying the grave and other burial fees are extra. These are set by the cemetery or local authority.
If you get certain benefits, you may be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment from the government. We don't charge for the funeral of a child under 18.
Can we still say goodbye together?
Yes, many families hold their own gathering or memorial after a direct cremation, at a time and place that feels right.
It could be a meal at home, a walk somewhere they loved or a scattering of their ashes. There's no set format and no deadline.
If you'd like some help, we can:
- create a virtual memorial service, a video tribute you can watch privately or share
- organise and attend a memorial event with you
- book a service room at Bretby Crematorium for a memorial service
What happens to the ashes?
After a direct cremation, you can collect the ashes, have us bring them to your funeral home or have them scattered at the crematorium.
At Bretby Crematorium, scattering or burying the ashes in our grounds is included in the cremation fee. We can also bring the ashes back to your funeral home.
There's no rush to decide. The ashes can stay with us until you're ready.
You might scatter them somewhere special, place them in a memorial garden or keep them at home. Some families turn a small amount into a keepsake, such as a pendant or ring.
Who legally owns the ashes of a person who's died?
In England and Wales, a crematorium releases the ashes to the person who applied for the cremation, or to someone they name in writing.
The applicant is usually the executor named in the will or the nearest relative. The law doesn't treat ashes as property in the usual way, so it's best to agree as a family what should happen to them.
If family members disagree, talk to your funeral director before the ashes are collected or scattered. A solicitor can give advice if you can't reach an agreement.
Can I arrange a direct cremation in advance?
Yes. If you'd like to arrange your own direct cremation in advance, you can find out more about our funeral plans.
Find out more about planning ahead with a funeral plan
Whatever you decide, our FuneralCoop teams are here for you 24 hours a day, every day.