In comparison to the more expensive traditional funeral, a simple funeral service is a much more affordable approach. With its no-frill structure, the less essential services are simply removed from the funeral whilst costs are reduced for the more important elements.
However, the precise details of what a simple funeral service includes depends on the funeral director of your choosing as they will likely have their own manner of doing things, so ensure to ask you funeral directors directly.
Find out more about simple funerals below.
How is it different from a traditional funeral?
Whilst the basic elements of a simple and traditional funeral are fairly similar, there are notable differences between the two.
A traditional funeral essentially gives the family more scope with their funeral planning. This includes components such as the choice of when the funeral is held, the amount of time a family may view their loved one in the funeral home, hiring a venue to hold the Wake, holding a procession to the cemetery with loved ones and hiring a hearse and limousine as transport.
Although the more expensive option, the familiarity of the traditional funeral can offer reassurance and comfort to the family at this difficult time.
What exactly happens at a simple funeral?
As the most affordable funeral of the two types, the simple funeral service may include some compromises:
- At a basic funeral, the funeral director will decide when the funeral takes place, this could mean the funeral is held at an inconvenient time e.g. a weekday or early morning.
- The funeral director may not tend to your loved one out-of-hours, so you may have to wait until the next working day for the deceased to be collected.
- The coffin or ashes container is less decorative.
- There are not any additional funeral cars or limousines included, therefore close family and friends will have to make their own way to the service.
- Either very little or no flowers
- The Wake will likely be held at home or at a friend’s house in order to save on venue and catering costs.
In comparison to the traditional funeral service, the simpler version is somewhat a lot more basic. However as aforementioned, it does mean you can significantly cut costs and therefore relieve financial strain.
The simple funeral is the cheapest and most basic funeral service, costs in the UK will vary depending on the funeral director, the exact simplicity of the funeral and your location.
Direct cremation or burial
Another path you could take is direct cremation, or direct burial. This low-cost service covers a simple cremation or burial but without a funeral service. The funeral director will collect your loved one, and they are cremated or buried with no-one present. The ashes are then returned to the family, or the family can visit the cemetery, where they can have they own memorial service as they see fit.