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Understanding the costs of a direct cremation helps you make an informed decision during a difficult time. This guide explains what direct cremation involves, why it costs less than a traditional funeral, and exactly what Funero's service includes.
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At a glance
What it is
A straightforward cremation with no viewing or traditional funeral service beforehand.
Who handles it
A specialist funeral director who manages all transport, paperwork, and cremation arrangements.
Typical timeline
Ashes are returned to the family within 21 days of the cremation.
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What is direct cremation?
A direct cremation is a simple cremation service in which the body is collected and cremated without a prior viewing, embalming, or traditional funeral ceremony. The ashes are then returned to the family, who may choose to hold a private memorial in their own time and at a location of their choosing.
If you are seeking a dignified but minimalistic farewell, direct cremation offers a respectful alternative to a conventional funeral. You can read more about why families choose direct cremation and the benefits it provides.
Why does direct cremation cost less?
Direct cremation is substantially more affordable than a traditional burial or funeral for several reasons:
- No expensive casket is required.
- No burial plot is needed — a significant saving, particularly in densely populated areas.
- Embalming (preserving the body for viewing) is not performed, removing those professional and chemical costs.
- There are no cemetery fees.
What does Funero's direct cremation include?
Funero offers a direct cremation at a fixed price of £1,295, agreed once, with nothing added later. Every included item is listed transparently below.
| Included service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Funeral arranger | Dedicated point of contact throughout |
| Cremation fees | All crematorium charges covered |
| Premium urn | Included as standard |
| Simple coffin | Suitable for direct cremation |
| Care and preparation | State-of-the-art mortuary facilities |
| Administration | All paperwork and cremation arrangements |
| Medical implant removal | Pacemakers and devices removed safely |
| Transport to crematorium | Covered in full |
| Ashes scatter tube | Included for scattering at sea or on land |
| Hand-delivery of ashes | Delivered to you within 21 days |
Optional additional costs
Two things are charged on top, and only if you need them:
- A viewing at our chapel of rest (£150) — an hour with the coffin before the cremation, for immediate family, by appointment.
- Urgent collection from a home (£250) — standard collection is included, wherever your loved one is.
How our price compares with other UK providers
Every figure below was read from that provider's own website on 25 August 2026. Direct cremation prices change, so check the current figure before you decide.
| Provider | Published price |
|---|---|
| Funero | £1,295, fixed |
| Distinct Cremations | From £1,350 |
| Simplicity | From £1,399 |
| Pure Cremation | £1,595 |
What a headline figure does not show is what happens after it. Pure Cremation, for example, adds £260 when a loved one is collected from a home rather than a hospital. Our standard collection is included wherever your loved one is, and only the two things listed above are ever added to the £1,295.
The other difference is distance. Some national providers collect from anywhere in mainland Britain and bring everyone to their own crematorium, which can take your loved one a long way from the place they lived. We arrange cremations at the City of London Crematorium and at Babworth in Nottinghamshire, so families in London, Nottinghamshire and Doncaster stay close by.
We have set ourselves beside three of them in detail, on price and on what each price actually covers: Funero vs Pure Cremation, Funero vs Simplicity Cremations and Funero vs Distinct Cremations. If you would rather see the whole market at once, every published price sits in one dated table.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Pure Cremation cost?
Pure Cremation publishes a price of £1,595 for its unattended cremation, read from their own website on 25 August 2026, with a further £260 if collection is from a home rather than a hospital. Our fixed price is £1,295, with standard collection included. Prices move, so check theirs before you compare. Our full comparison with Pure Cremation sets out what each price pays for.
Can we still hold a memorial service after a direct cremation?
Yes. There is no requirement for a ceremony at the time of cremation. Many families choose to hold a private gathering, celebration of life, or scattering ceremony at a later date. You might find our guide on what to do with your loved one's ashes helpful when planning this.
Is the £1,295 price truly fixed, with no hidden fees?
Yes. The £1,295 covers everything listed above. The only additions are the optional viewing at our chapel of rest (£150) and urgent collection from a home (£250), both disclosed before you decide.
How long does the process take?
Once paperwork is in order, the cremation typically takes place within a few days. Ashes are returned to the family within 21 days.
