Arranging a simple funeral
At Simplicity, we can help you to arrange a simple funeral for a loved one who has recently passed away, or for yourself in the future.
Our simple funerals start from £995 and are available throughout all of mainland Great Britain. Whether you are looking for a simple direct cremation or a larger funeral more akin to a traditional funeral with a family-led service, we can help.
In this guide we will cover:
What is a simple funeral?
What does a simple funeral include?
Choose a simple funeral package
Is a simple cremation right for me?
How much does a simple funeral cost?
Simple funeral plans
What is a simple funeral?
A simple funeral is an affordable, sometimes no frills, alternative to a traditional funeral, often provided without many of the more traditional funeral elements such as pallbearers and limousines. This means a simple funeral will usually cost less than a traditional funeral.
Some providers may only provide a direct cremation service as part of their simple funeral offering, whereas others like Simplicity will provide additional options more similar to a traditional funeral, so it’s important to research providers to ensure you find the service suited to your needs.
What does a simple funeral include?
Simple funeral packages will differ between providers, so it’s important you understand exactly what is included before making arrangements for your loved one’s funeral.
The key difference between a simple funeral arranged by Simplicity and a simple funeral from other funeral providers is that a Simplicity Cremation is arranged with no face-to-face interaction with a Funeral Director. Funeral Directors put a lot of time and effort into arranging every funeral they conduct, and for this reason, their fees tend to make up the biggest cost of a basic funeral. Removing the need for several meetings with a Funeral Director allows us to provide substantial savings on the cost of our simple funerals. Instead, our dedicated team of funeral arrangers are on hand to help you organise a Simple Funeral over the phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
At Simplicity, all our simple funerals include the essential services required for a cremation, with or without a service, including:
• Cremation fees
• Doctor’s fees
• A simple coffin
• Care of your loved one in our quality mortuary facilities
• Transportation in a specialised vehicle
• Arrangements by our telephone-based funeral arrangers, available 24/7
Choose a simple funeral package
We offer three simple cremation packages which allow you to commemorate your loved one’s life in a way that suits you and your family, starting from £995:
Unattended Funeral from £995 – we will provide a simple cremation with no service. This may also be referred to as a direct cremation. A crematorium attendant will say a few words before respectfully committing your loved one for cremation without any mourners present.
Families who choose the simplest funeral option will often hold a celebration of life or memorial service in honour of their loved one, at a time and place away from the crematorium.
Intimate Funeral from £1,395 – this option covers the services required to perform a simple cremation and offers a short time in the chapel for a small group of family and friends to attend. This option is most suited to small families who would like to be present at the funeral to pay their respects, but do not want a funeral service.
Family Led Funeral from £1,895 – we will provide the services required for a cremation and allow you the freedom to organise a simple funeral service in the chapel. Some families choose to perform the funeral services themselves, whereas others engage the services of a minister or celebrant. It’s important to consider that the funeral will not include a procession beforehand; the funeral will begin as you enter the chapel. Learn more information about planning a funeral service.
Is a simple cremation right for me?
A simple cremation offers the flexibility to organise a personalised farewell for your loved one, so you can celebrate their life in a way that suits you and your family, at a time and place of your choice.
The reasons families opt for a simple cremation are varied, but may include:
Minimal fuss – many people express their wishes for a no fuss funeral. For some people, this means they would prefer a funeral without a service, for others, they may have expressed their wishes for a small funeral with only close family present.
Easy to arrange – some people do not like the thought of the distress that arranging a traditional funeral may cause for their family when they are gone. A simple cremation is considerably easier to arrange than a traditional funeral. You can arrange a Simplicity Cremation over the telephone with the help of our experienced funeral arrangers.
Distance – it can be difficult for family to travel to a funeral, often at short notice, if they did not live locally to their loved one. By opting for a simple cremation with no service, you can hold a memorial service at a later date and alternative location, better suited to you and your family.
Cost – the affordability of this type of funeral is also an important factor, as typically a simple funeral costs less than a traditional funeral. In some cases, the deceased instructed their family to spend the money that could have been spent on a traditional funeral, in a more meaningful way. Follow this link for more information on how to reduce funeral costs.
Non-religious – you want to say farewell without a religious ceremony. You may instead choose to arrange a Family Led Funeral, with a non-religious, family-led service.
Small number of attendees - not everyone wants a lot of people to attend their funeral. Holding a traditional funeral may not make economic sense for only a small group of attendees, in which case a simple funeral allows you the option to hold a small funeral for just closest friends and family.
How much does a simple funeral cost?
Simple funeral costs will often vary depending on how simple the funeral really is, what is and what isn’t included by the funeral provider as part of their funeral package and where in the UK you are located.
At Simplicity, our simple cremation with no service starts from £995, and costs the same, regardless of where you are located within mainland Great Britain. In comparison, the average funeral in the UK in 2020 cost £4,184*.
Rest assured that your and your family will be treated with the utmost care and dignity, as you would expect from a traditional Funeral Director.
Our simple funeral services are delivered without cutting corners, using specialist vehicles, our own quality facilities and our network of crematoria throughout mainland Great Britain.
View our funeral prices page to learn more about our simple funeral costs.
Simple funeral plans
We also offer simple funeral plans from just £1,495 or as little as £15.97pcm, for those looking to make arrangements for their own funeral in advance. Our focus on the essential care and practicalities of a cremation, allows you to focus on the finer details.
Similar to our simple cremation packages, you can select a funeral plan based on the number of people you would like in attendance at your funeral.
A simple funeral plan will allow you to protect your family from rising funeral costs, the stress of making funeral arrangements when the time comes as well as ensuring your funeral is carried out in accordance with your wishes. Learn more about the benefits of a prepaid funeral plan.
See our range of prepaid funeral plans for more information, or download a free guide.
For help arranging a funeral for your loved one, or simple funeral plans in place for your own funeral arrangements in the future, contact us today. We’re here, 24 hours a day. 365 days a year.
*SunLife (2021), Cost of Dying Report, sunlife.co.uk/costofdying2021