Considering direct cremation? More people are choosing this type of funeral because it’s a more affordable option when compared with a traditional funeral service. But that’s not the only reason to choose direct cremation. Here, we’ll take you through the benefits of this type of funeral and why more and more people are choosing it for themselves and their loved ones.
How popular is direct cremation?
According to the latest research (SunLife 2023), cremation is still the most popular type of funeral in the UK. Overall, in 2022, 25% of funerals were burials and 75% were cremations. But when you look at the data in more detail you can see that direct cremations increased due to the pandemic, from 3% in 2019 up to 18% in 2021. But even after the pandemic, the percentage has stayed the same. More people are now aware of direct cremation and are deciding to choose it for loved ones even though restrictions are no longer in place.
Why choose a direct cremation?
Here are some reasons why people are choosing direct cremation, and why it might be a suitable option for you:
1. Direct cremation costs less.
The average cost of a funeral is around £4,000 in the UK. It’s a significant cost that a lot of people have to think carefully about. So, it’s no surprise that direct cremations have become more common over the last few years. It’s an affordable option for people who need to stick to a budget while still being able to treat their loved one with the respect they deserve.
Because a direct cremation is kept as simple as possible with no funeral service, you can keep costs to a minimum. There’s no need for venue hire, ministerial fees, embalming or an elaborate coffin. So, it’s a good option if you’re worried about paying for a traditional funeral.
2. You can take the time you need to plan a memorial service.
A direct cremation gives you the time to arrange a unique memorial service afterwards. Once you’ve collected the ashes, you can organise a smaller, more personal get-together to remember a loved one. Or you may want to organise a celebration of life for them. And because you don’t have to arrange the memorial on the same day as the cremation, it gives you and your family the time you need to arrange the send-off you’d really like. Plus, it may give you the additional time you need to process what’s happened and what you’re going through. Although simple, a direct cremation gives you the option to say goodbye in a unique way, if that’s what you’d like.
3. The person who passed away didn’t want a fuss.
If the person who passed away really didn’t want a fuss or didn’t want to leave family members with the stress of organising a funeral service, a direct cremation may be a good option. It may also be a good choice for someone who has no specific religious beliefs and didn’t want any kind of funeral service. Whether you talked with the person who passed away about their final wishes or you’re following requests they made as part of their will, keeping things simple can mean less time worrying about the finer details and more time to cope with your loss.
Is direct cremation the right option for you?
For some people, the idea of a direct cremation may seem too simple. But if you relate to some of the reasons why people are choosing direct cremation above, it might be a good choice for you.
Whatever the reason behind choosing a direct cremation it’s important to remember that the send-off is no less meaningful than a traditional service. In fact, a small reception or wake can be held in the comfort of your own home. And this could be the personal send-off that you’d really like for yourself or a loved one. If you’re considering a direct cremation and have more questions, it’s a good idea to speak to a funeral director. They’ll be able to talk you through your options. Find a funeral director near you with our directory - just filter by ‘unattended cremation’ to see the ones in your area who offer direction cremation.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.