Whether it’s because of cost or circumstance, a formal ceremony may not be for everyone. There has been a noticeable movement away from the traditional funeral in recent years with many opting for a Direct Cremation. It may be due to the cost-of-living crisis or indeed the aftermath of Covid when people weren’t able to attend a funeral and non-attended committal packages became more widely available.
Direct Cremation explained
A direct cremation funeral service takes place without a ceremony, or any mourners in attendance at the crematorium. There is minimal cost as there is no hearse, bearers or chapel time, and a basic coffin is used.
Put simply, a direct cremation involves no funeral service and no viewing of the deceased prior to cremation. There are no mourners present, and no attendance at the committal either. The cremation itself will take place at a crematorium which is convenient to the funeral provider, which may not end up being local to the family of the deceased. While you won’t be able to choose the time, location or date of the cremation, we will always try to avoid any dates like birthdays or anniversaries if we are made aware. The family will be informed of the date of when the cremation take place.
Direct Cremation costs
A direct cremation with Levertons costs £1,395 (+£82 for the Medical Cremation Certificate if it’s required) which is our cheapest cremation package available and is therefore a viable option for those with restricted funds. There is still our high level of care and service with a direct cremation but with fewer options.
Why choose Direct Cremation?
A direct cremation is a very personal choice as are all types of funerals, and there are lots of different reasons for wanting a direct cremation over a traditional service. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Families are able to focus on a separate service at a later date to celebrate the life of the deceased rather than a funeral.
- It gives families more time to arrange to come together to remember at a later date (particularly if they live in different geographical areas).
- It is a low-cost alternative when budgets are tight.
- It allows finances to be allocated to a relative or a good cause instead of the service itself if that is what is preferred.
Simple Cremation
As well as a direct cremation, here at Levertons we also offer a simple cremation for those who want to attend the cremation itself. The main differences for the simple cremation are:
- A hearse & bearers convey the coffin to the crematorium chapel
- A funeral director attends the committal
- Attendance of mourners is allowed at the committal (with music if preferred).
- You can also choose the Chapel time (9.00am, 9.30am or 10am), Monday to Friday
Our simple cremation price is £2295 (+£82 for the Medical Cremation Certificate if it’s required). The provision of someone to lead a short ceremony would be at an additional cost.
Choosing the right cremation service provider
Once you have decided that a direct cremation is the right choice for the deceased, you need to be confident that the cremation will be undertaken in a professional, caring manner. Here at Levertons, we have been an independent, family-run funeral directors since 1789 so you can rest assured your loved one will be treated with utmost respect and dignity, just like a member of our family would be.
A growing number of companies are offering direct cremation as a service, but it is worth researching exactly what this entails. Some perform all aspects of care themselves, while others outsource the transport and care for the deceased. Some providers are national rather than local companies and the deceased may be transported further away. Whilst costs are a priority, it is important that your loved one is in the right hands so check the company’s credentials and reviews from other people too.
How to arrange a Direct or Simple Cremation
Arranging a direct or simple cremation is a fairly straightforward process, you simply need to get in touch with your chosen funeral director as soon as someone dies. All of the arrangements can be made over the phone, and here at Levertons, we will be there to guide you through every step during this difficult time.
A direct cremation with Levertons includes the following:
- In office hours removal of deceased from any place of death within the M25
- Care of the body prior to the funeral
- A simple coffin (Brook)
- Transportation of the coffin to the crematorium
- Assistance in completing all the necessary paperwork
- No attendance at the committal
- The crematorium fee
You will still need to register the death via the Registrar located in the area where the death occurred.
If you would like help with the funeral arrangements of a loved one, do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at Levertons. We believe that everyone is entitled to dignity in life and in death, and take care of the deceased with the utmost respect.
