Direct cremation costs
Direct cremation is the cheapest funeral option in the UK, so if you're looking for an affordable funeral option for a loved one who has recently passed away or for yourself in the future, this type of funeral may be right for you.
A Simplicity direct cremation costs from just £995 and includes transportation of the deceased in a specialised funeral vehicle, preparation for cremation in our mortuary facilities, a simple coffin, cremation fees, and doctor's fees - and is available throughout the whole of mainland Great Britain.
Visit our direct cremation guide to learn more about this type of funeral and why people choose direct cremation or read on for more information about direct cremation costs in the UK.
Direct cremation costs in the UK
Direct cremation costs significantly less than a traditional funeral arranged by a Funeral Director. The average cost of a direct cremation in the UK is £1,554*, up to £2,630 less than the average basic funeral cost**.
A direct cremation is a simple, dignified funeral that takes place without the presence of any mourners and without a service or ceremony prior to the cremation. A direct cremation does not include the ceremonial non-essential elements of a funeral, including a procession, the provision of a hearse or limousines, viewing of the deceased or embalming. Removing these elements allows providers to offer a respectful funeral that costs considerably less than a traditional funeral. It is important to note that direct cremation costs and what’s included as part of the funeral cost will vary between providers.
At Simplicity, our direct cremation costs from £995, and includes the essential services required for a cremation. We refer to our direct cremation package as an Unattended Funeral.
An Unattended Funeral is arranged over the phone by our team of professional funeral arrangers without any face-to-face interaction with a funeral director, allowing us to provide further cost savings compared to a traditional funeral.
Our direct cremation costs include:
- cremation fees
- doctor’s fees
- provision of a simple coffin
- collection of your loved one a few days prior to the cremation from anywhere within mainland Great Britain^
- transportation of the deceased in a specialised funeral vehicle
- preparation for cremation at our quality mortuary facilities
- 24/7 support from our team of telephone-based funeral arrangers
^Should your loved one need to be brought into care sooner than a few days before the funeral (for example, if they are resting at home, in a care home or in a hospice), an additional charge of £250 will be incurred to cover the additional care in our quality mortuary facilities until the day of the cremation.
Should collection of the deceased be required outside of working hours (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), an additional fee of £195 will also be applicable.
After the cremation, the ashes will be respectfully scattered in our gardens of remembrance or can be returned to you in a simple container at an additional cost, within 4 weeks of the funeral taking place.
Our direct cremation costs remain the same throughout mainland Great Britain
When it comes to the final cost of a direct cremation, some providers will charge extra for mileage fees, bariatric care and doctor’s fees so you should be sure to check if there are any additional costs at the time of arrangement.
Our direct cremation costs remain the same no matter where in mainland Great Britain you live. This is different to many providers who only offer their funeral services within a specific region or add mileage fees to conduct funerals outside of a certain radius.
We won’t charge you extra if a bariatric coffin is required, but we do ask that you advise us at the time of arrangement if your loved one weighs more than 20 stone or is taller than 6’7” so we can arrange for a suitable coffin.
Whilst a direct cremation costs considerably less than the average funeral, rest assured you and your loved one will receive the highest level of care. Our nationwide network of facilities ensures a consistently high quality of service. As part of one of the UK’s most respected funeral groups, we’re the only truly nationwide direct cremation provider that has its own staff, specialised vehicles, mortuaries and crematoria.
We also offer direct cremations that you can attend
We appreciate that an Unattended Funeral won’t suit everyone, which is why we offer alternative low cost cremations with the option for mourners to attend.
If you and a small group of family and friends would like to attend a cremation without a full service, our Intimate Funeral allows a short time in the chapel for up to 12 people, to reflect or say a few words. Our Intimate Funeral costs just £1,395.
If you’d prefer something a little closer to a traditional funeral, our Family Led Funeral allows a full length service with a ceremony led by the family. Our Family Led Funeral will take place at a CMG crematorium local to the place of rest, and allows you to choose an available date and time on a working weekday that suits you and your family. Our team of funeral professionals can assist you with the running order of the day, from music to any readings or eulogies, to the closing of the ceremony. They can also provide advice on engaging with the services of a minister or officiant if you wish. Our Family Led Funeral service starts at £1,895.
Both options include the return of ashes at no additional cost.
Learn more about our funeral prices.
How do I pay for a direct cremation?
Unlike a traditional funeral where you are often invoiced after the funeral has taken place, a Simplicity Cremation costs will need to be paid before the cremation can take place.
We accept payment by debit or credit card over the phone.
Prepaid direct cremation costs
With the average cost of cremation now £3,885 in the UK, and rising every year, many people are now planning ahead to cover their own funeral costs with a Prepaid Funeral Plan.
At Simplicity, our Prepaid Direct Cremation Plan covers everything you will need for a direct cremation anytime in the future. Whenever the time comes, there will be no more for your family to pay for the services covered in your plan. Our direct cremation plan costs £1,495 if paid within 12 months or as little as £15.97 a month^. We also offer flexible payment options allowing you to spread the cover over a duration that suits you.
Along with a prepaid direct cremation, we also offer prepaid funerals with the option for mourners to attend. Learn more about our Prepaid Funeral Plans.
Anyone over the age of 50 is guaranteed to be accepted for a funeral plan with Simplicity.
Contact us to find out more
If you'd like to know more about the cost of a direct cremation or to arrange a respectful direct cremation for your loved one, contact us today.
We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so are always available if and when you might need us.
*The average cost of a direct cremation in the UK is £1,554, SunLife (2021), Cost of Dying Report, sunlife.co.uk/costofdying2021
**The average cost of a cremation in the UK is currently £3,885, SunLife (2021), Cost of Dying Report, sunlife.co.uk/costofdying2021
^Instalment figure shown is for a Lily Plan being paid over 120 months. There is an extra charge if you spread the cost over more than 12 months. Alternative fixed instalment periods are available, provided that all payments over any instalment term longer than 12 months are completed by the 80th birthday of the eldest person named on the plan.