Introduction
In the face of loss, navigating through various end-of-life services can be overwhelming. For families seeking a simple, dignified, and affordable option, direct cremation services present a viable alternative to traditional burial. Direct cremation, which bypasses the elaborate ceremonies of a traditional funeral, focuses on providing an immediate and respectful handling of the deceased.
Popularity in the UK
Direct cremation is a cremation service that is becoming increasingly popular in the UK and other countries. This is especially the case since COVID-19.
During the worst lockdowns and restrictions, people could not have well-attended funerals. They often couldn’t attend because of illness or isolation. It also wasn’t possible or advisable to store that volume of people in mortuaries.
Therefore, it became commonplace and necessary to find expedient ways to dispose of people’s bodies after death. Funerals stopped happening for a while. Click here to read a Guardian article on this topic.
Direct Cremation had long been a little-known option, often for people with few next of kin or very low budgets. COVID-19 brought it into the mainstream, and like many other lockdown discoveries, it became a permanent fixture in our culture, brought about by the huge Pandemic-related shift in societal norms.
Unlike traditional cremation services, which typically involve a funeral or memorial service followed by cremation, direct cremation involves the immediate cremation of the deceased without any accompanying ceremony or viewing.
In this blog, I will explore the benefits and drawbacks of direct cremation and what it entails. Because I am a Funeral Celebrant and my passion is for Ceremony, I will suggest ways to make Direct Cremation helpful and healing instead of simply logistical. Click here to learn more about my ceremonies for No-Fuss Funerals.
CAPTION: A Celebration of Life later on
What is Direct Cremation?
Direct cremation is the process of cremating the body of the deceased without any preceding formal funeral ceremonies or viewing. This service includes the cremation process itself, where the body is placed in an alternative container—typically a cardboard box or a basic cremation container—and then transferred to a crematory. Direct cremation often involves minimal services, which makes it the most cost-effective option for many families.
Direct cremation is a cremation service that does not involve any funeral or memorial service. Instead, the deceased is taken directly from the place of death to the cremation facility and cremated immediately. This means that there is no viewing, visitation, or formal farewell. The cremated remains are typically returned to the family in an urn, and the family can then decide what to do with the remains, such as scattering them or burying them in a cemetery.
What Happens During Direct Cremation?
The direct cremation process begins when a family contacts a cremation provider or funeral home. The first step involves the necessary authorizations and legal documents, such as obtaining a certified death certificate and any permits required by local authorities, including approval from the medical examiner if necessary. The body of the deceased is then transferred from the place of death—be it a private residence, hospital, or care facility—by a person transfer team to the crematory.
Once at the crematory, the body is placed in the cremation chamber within an alternative container. The cremation process is carried out at high temperatures, reducing the body to ashes and bone fragments. These remains, often referred to as “cremains,” are further processed into fine ash, which is then placed into a basic plastic urn or another type of cremation container selected by the family.
Does Direct Cremation Include a Coffin?
A direct cremation service does not include a traditional coffin, as there is no formal viewing or ceremony. Instead, the body is placed in a more affordable alternative container, typically a cardboard box or a cardboard casket. This helps to keep cremation costs low while still ensuring the body is treated with respect during the cremation process. If the family wishes to have a different type of viewing before cremation, they may need to make separate arrangements, which could incur additional costs.
What Happens to the Ashes After Direct Cremation?
After the direct cremation, the ashes are typically returned to the family within a few business days. Families can choose how to handle the ashes, depending on personal preferences. Some may opt to keep the ashes in a decorative urn at home, while others may choose to scatter them in a meaningful location, bury them in a cemetery plot, or place them in a niche at a columbarium. Some families also choose to hold a memorial service or a celebration of life ceremony at a later date, giving them the flexibility to plan a service that best honours they loved one’s memory.
5 Reasons to Choose Direct Cremation in the UK?
Direct cremation offers several advantages, particularly in terms of cost and simplicity. Traditional burial or cremation with a formal funeral service often comes with a higher financial burden, including costs for a coffin, embalming, a cemetery plot, and more extensive funeral ceremonies. In contrast, direct cremation is a low-cost cremation option that eliminates many of these expenses, making it the most affordable cremation option available.
Cremation providers often offer a direct cremation package that includes the essential services: professional staff handling, immediate transport of the deceased, use of the crematory, and returning the ashes in a basic urn. Some providers may have their own crematory, which can further reduce the cremation costs by avoiding additional fees.
#1 Affordability
Direct cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice in the UK due to its affordability and simplicity. Traditional cremation services, which often include a service at the crematorium and a formal funeral, can be expensive. The costs associated with a traditional funeral service, including the coffin, funeral director services, and staff services, can add a significant financial burden during an already challenging time.
#2 Simplicity
In contrast, direct cremation offers a more affordable option. With minimal additional staff required and no elaborate ceremonies, the costs are significantly lower. Families can choose from various direct cremation packages offered by cremation providers, ensuring that the service meets their needs and budget.
#3 Flexibility and payment options
In the UK, most direct cremation providers offer flexible payment options, including credit cards and debit cards, to make the process as straightforward as possible. It’s important to review all charges, including any potential cash advance items, to ensure there are no unexpected costs. Additionally, some providers may offer payment plans to help spread the cost over time.
#4 Additional costs to consider
While direct cremation is straightforward, it’s essential to be aware of potential additional costs. These can include fees for certified death certificates, social security administration notifications, crematory fees, or the nominal fee for the cremation container. Depending on the location of death, local transportation, such as from nursing homes or hospice deaths, may also incur extra charges.
#5 Culteral preferences
Families should also consider any personal or cultural preferences when choosing direct cremation. Although it is a practical option, some may prefer the traditions of a formal service or a traditional burial. However, for those looking for a simpler and more cost-effective solution, direct cremation provides peace of mind during a challenging time.
Benefits of Direct Cremation and No-Fuss Funerals
One of the main benefits of Direct Cremation is that it is often less expensive than traditional funeral services. Traditional funeral ceremonies, including the coffin, funeral home services, transportation, and burial fees, can be expensive.
Direct cremation eliminates many of these costs, making it a more affordable option for families who want to keep expenses to a minimum. However, I would urge you to think about priorities and investment. Paying for a funeral is not a waste of money; it serves an important purpose and function and invests in long-term emotional health. It is also the last gift you can give to your person. If you want to go all out for that person, do so.
Direct cremation also allows families to plan a memorial or celebration of life service at a later time when it is more convenient for everyone. This can be especially helpful for families who have members who live far away or who cannot travel to attend a funeral service. By holding a ceremony later, people can come together to tell their stories, eat, drink, cry and hug together. Because it is not ‘time specific’ they can spend time processing their grief and preparing to remember and honour their loved one without the time constraints and expense of a traditional funeral service.
Ceremonies for Direct Cremations and No-Fuss Funerals
Direct cremation is a simple and cost-effective option for people who must keep expenses minimal. It is sometimes enough for people, but I would argue that it is always better to incorporate some level of ritual and ceremonial process. As a Celebrant offering funeral services, I am convinced of its importance. Click here to learn more about the importance of ritual in grieving loss.
Planning ceremonies is very healing; it encourages us to look at photo albums and exchange stories and provides an imperative for people to sit with their grief in company or in privacy. It gives a vehicle for grief, something towards which to direct energy and anxiety. It functions to enable the process. The great thing about Direct Cremation is that it allows families to plan a funeral ceremony later when it is more convenient for everyone.
Ultimately, choosing direct cremation or traditional funeral service will depend on personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary constraints. As a Funeral Celebrant, the decision should always begin with questions:
- What do I need to enable me to heal effectively?
- How can I remain emotionally healthy?
- How can this support me in the grieving process?
Final Thoughts on Direct Cremation
Ultimately, direct cremation is a dignified and affordable way to honor a loved one’s life, offering families the flexibility to plan a memorial service or other final disposition at a later date. By choosing this option, families can alleviate the financial burden and focus on celebrating the life of their loved one in a way that brings comfort and peace to all involved.
I am neither an advocate for or an opposer of Direct Cremation. What I am passionate about is encouraging people to find their own meaningful way of addressing their experience of grief. I am also convinced of the need for ceremonial input, not state funeral pomp, or alienating traditions, but the right thing for you, the person left behind.
If you had to deal with a bereavement during COVID-19 and feel that it is ‘unfinished’ or that you are struggling to recover it might be that you would benefit from creating a ceremony at this point in time. It is never too late to create a ceremony for someone you love. Please get in touch to chat to me further. I will always be here when you need me.
Choosing direct cremation doesn’t mean sacrificing a meaningful remembrance. Families can still plan a memorial service or a celebration of life ceremony at a later date, allowing future generations to honour the memory of their loved one in a way that aligns with their personal preferences and values.
In summary, direct cremation is a practical and affordable end-of-life option that offers peace of mind during a difficult time. By choosing this simple cremation service, families can focus on what truly matters—celebrating the life of their loved one in a manner that reflects their wishes and values.
Contact me with your questions around arranging a DIY Funeral
