When someone you love dies, the decisions that follow can feel overwhelming. There is grief to carry, a family to support, and a long list of practical steps to navigate, often all at once. One of the first questions many families ask us is whether they have to have a traditional funeral, with a hearse, a service, and all the formality that goes with it.
The honest answer is no. A simple funeral can be just as meaningful, just as respectful, and far less financially demanding than a traditional service. But "simple" means different things to different people, and understanding what each option actually involves will help you make a choice that feels right for your family.
This guide explains the two main simple funeral options we offer at Levertons: direct cremation and simple cremation. We'll walk through what each one includes, who it tends to suit, and what questions are worth asking before you decide.
A note before you read on: choosing a simpler funeral is not choosing a lesser one. It is choosing what is right for your family, your circumstances, and the person who has died. We see it as our role to support that choice, not to steer you away from it.
What does "simple funeral" actually mean?
The phrase "simple funeral" is used widely across the funeral industry, but it does not have a single fixed definition. In broad terms, it refers to a funeral that strips back the ceremonial elements, the formal procession, the limousines, the chapel of rest visits, and the order of service, to focus on the essentials: caring for the person who has died, completing the necessary paperwork, and carrying out the cremation or burial with dignity.
In practice, there are two distinct types of simple funeral, and they are quite different from one another.
Direct cremation: no service, no attendance
A direct cremation is the most straightforward option available. The funeral directors collects the body, cares for the body, handles all the legal paperwork, and carries out the cremation. There is no formal service, and no mourners are present at the crematorium. The ashes are then returned to the family.
This does not mean there is no farewell. Many families who choose direct cremation go on to hold a memorial gathering, a celebration of life, or a quiet scattering of ashes in a meaningful place, on their own terms and in their own time.
Simple cremation: a brief, attended committal
A simple cremation sits between direct cremation and a full traditional funeral. Mourners can attend the crematorium for a short committal, and music can be played if the family wishes. There is no formal service or celebrant, but families do have the opportunity to be present as their loved one is committed to the crematorium.
This option tends to suit families who want some form of gathering at the time of the cremation, but prefer to keep the occasion quiet and understated.
What's included in a simple funeral at Levertons
We believe in being completely transparent about what each option includes, so there are no surprises when you receive your invoice. Both our Direct Cremation and Simple Cremation packages cover the same core elements.
Both options include:
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Collection of the deceased, within office hours, from any place of death inside the M25
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Care and preparation of the body beforehand
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A respectful, simple cremation coffin
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Transportation of the deceased to the crematorium
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Assistance with all the necessary paperwork
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The crematorium fee
The key difference between the two is attendance.
Direct cremation: £1,445
Our Direct Cremation is an unattended service. No mourners are present at the committal. This is the most affordable option we offer, and it is carried out with the same level of care and dignity as any other funeral we conduct.
Simple cremation: £2,695
Our Simple Cremation allows family and friends to attend the committal if they wish. It includes the use of a hearse (unless otherwise advised), and music can be played at the crematorium. The committal takes place at Golders Green, St Marylebone, Islington, or West London Crematorium, with chapel time available from 9.30am or 10am, Monday to Friday. Other crematoria are available for an additional fee.
What neither option includes:
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Embalming or formal viewing (this can be arranged separately if needed)
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Flowers or floral tributes
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A celebrant or minister
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A printed order of service
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Funeral cars or limousines for family members
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Death certificates (these are obtained separately from the registry office)
If you would like to add any of these elements, we can discuss what is possible and what the costs would be. Our role is to help you make informed choices, not to present you with a fixed package and leave you to it.
You can view our full price list on our funeral costs page or use our online funeral cost estimator to get a clearer picture of what you might expect to pay.
How does a simple funeral compare to a traditional funeral?
It helps to understand where simple funerals sit within the wider range of options. According to SunLife's Cost of Dying Report 2026, the national average cost of a simple attended cremation is £3,518, and a traditional attended cremation averages £4,200. A traditional burial with full service can reach £5,440 or more, and in London, costs tend to be higher still.
By contrast, a direct cremation from Levertons is £1,445, and our simple attended cremation is £2,695. Both include the crematorium fee, which is often listed separately by other providers.
The practical differences between simple and traditional funerals:
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A traditional funeral typically includes a formal service at a chapel, church, or crematorium, led by a celebrant or minister
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It usually involves a hearse, one or more funeral cars, pallbearers, and a formal procession
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A traditional funeral allows for a longer service time, with music, readings, and tributes
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Simple funerals focus on the committal itself, with less ceremony and shorter chapel time
Neither approach is superior to the other. What matters is what feels right for the family and what reflects the wishes of the person who has died. We have supported families through both, and we know that a quiet, dignified committal can be every bit as moving as a full traditional service.
Can a simple funeral still feel personal?
Yes, and this is something we feel strongly about. Choosing a simpler option does not mean choosing something impersonal. Many families use the time after a direct or simple cremation to gather informally, perhaps at a family home, a favourite restaurant, or a meaningful outdoor space. The ashes can be scattered or interred in a place that held significance for the person who has died.
If you'd like guidance on dispersal of ashes or how to plan a meaningful memorial, we're happy to talk that through with you.
Who tends to choose a simple funeral?
There is no single type of family that chooses a simple funeral. In our experience, people come to this decision for many different reasons, and all of them are valid.
Direct cremation tends to suit families where:
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The person who has died expressed a preference for no formal service
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The family is geographically spread out and a gathering at the crematorium is not practical
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Budget is a significant concern, and the family wants to allocate resources elsewhere, perhaps towards a memorial event or a meaningful donation to charity
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The family wants time and space to grieve privately before bringing people together for a celebration of life
Simple cremation tends to suit families where:
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There is a wish for a brief, quiet gathering at the time of the cremation
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Close family members want the opportunity to be present, but a full service feels like too much
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The family wants a degree of formality, including a hearse, without the full ceremony of a traditional funeral
It is also worth noting that cremation, in general, has become the most common choice in the UK. Around 78% of UK funerals now involve cremation rather than burial, and within that, simpler options are increasingly chosen. This is not a reflection of how much a family cares; it reflects changing attitudes towards what a meaningful farewell looks like.
What if the family can't agree?
This is more common than many people realise. One family member may feel strongly that there should be a service; another may feel that the person who died would have wanted something quiet. If you find yourselves in this situation, it can help to talk it through with us before making any decisions. We are not here to push you towards a particular option; we are here to help you understand what each one involves and to support whatever the family decides together.
Practical steps: how to arrange a simple funeral
If you have decided that a simple funeral is the right choice, here is a straightforward guide to what happens next.
Step 1: Contact a funeral director
The first step is to get in touch with a funeral director who can take care of the person who has died. At Levertons, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate assistance. You can call us on 020 7387 6075 at any time.
When you first contact us, you do not need to have made any decisions yet. We will guide you through the process at your pace.
Step 2: Register the death
Before a cremation can take place, the death must be registered with the local registry office. This is usually done by a close family member within five days of the death. You will need the medical certificate of cause of death, which is issued by the attending doctor or hospital and confirmed by the local medical examiner. We can advise you on the relevant registry offices for your area.
Step 3: Choose your option and confirm the arrangements
Once the death is registered, we will confirm the details of the cremation with you. For a direct cremation, you simply need to let us know where you would like the ashes returned. For a simple cremation, we will confirm the date, time, and crematorium, and let you know what to expect on the day.
Step 4: Consider what comes next
Whether you have chosen direct cremation or a simple attended cremation, you may want to think about what happens after. This might include:
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A private gathering at home or in a venue of your choosing
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A scattering or interment of ashes in a meaningful location. Ashes are not usually available for collection from the crematorium until the next working day
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A celebration of life at a later date, once family members have had time to travel or to grieve
There is no right timeline for any of this. We are happy to offer guidance whenever you are ready.
Step 5: Get help with costs if you need it
If you are worried about the cost of a funeral, it is worth knowing that financial support may be available. The Funeral Expenses Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can help people on certain qualifying benefits cover some of the costs. You must apply within six months of the funeral. We can also discuss payment options with you directly.
For guidance on what to do when someone dies, including what happens in the first hours and days, our resource section covers the most common questions families ask us.
Questions families often ask us
Can I view the person who has died if I choose a simple or direct cremation?
Formal viewing is not included in our simple or direct cremation packages and embalming is not carried out as standard. However, if seeing your loved one before the cremation is important to you, please speak to us. We will always try to find a way to accommodate what you need, and we can discuss what is possible and what additional costs, if any, would apply.
Will the person who has died be treated with dignity?
Yes, absolutely. The level of care we provide does not change based on the type of funeral chosen. Every person in our care is treated with the same respect, regardless of whether the family has chosen a direct cremation or a full traditional service. This is a commitment we hold to without exception.
Can I change my mind after arranging a direct cremation?
If you have not yet signed a contract, or if the cremation has not yet taken place, it may be possible to change the arrangements. Please contact us as soon as possible if your circumstances or wishes change. We will always do our best to accommodate you.
Is there a difference between a local funeral director and an online cremation provider?
Yes, and it is worth understanding the distinction before you make a decision. Online and national direct cremation providers typically operate at a distance, with no local branch, no face-to-face contact, and limited flexibility. As a local funeral director with branches across North London, we are part of the same community as the families we serve. You can visit us in person, speak to the same person throughout the process, and reach us at any hour if something changes.
SAIF, the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, has produced a helpful comparison of local versus online cremation providers that outlines the differences in more detail.
What happens to the ashes after a direct cremation?
The ashes are returned to the family. We will discuss with you how you would like them delivered or collected, or simply laid to rest within the crematorium’s grounds. If no instructions are provided, the ashes can be collected from the crematorium by the next of kin. After that, you can choose to scatter, bury, or keep the ashes, and we can offer guidance on the options available to you.
We're here to help you find the right option
There is no single right way to say goodbye to someone you love. A simple funeral, whether that is a direct cremation or a quiet attended committal, can be a deeply considered and deeply caring choice. What matters is that the decision feels right for your family, and that it is made with clear information rather than uncertainty or pressure.
At Levertons, we have been supporting families across North London through some of the hardest moments of their lives since 1789. Our approach has always been the same: listen carefully, explain clearly, and let the family lead.
If you are considering a simple funeral and would like to talk through your options, please do get in touch. You can call us at any time on 020 7387 6075, or visit one of our branches in Camden, Muswell Hill, Golders Green, Hampstead, or Kentish Town.
You can also view our full price list or use our funeral cost estimator to explore costs at your own pace, with no obligation.
We are not here to upsell. We are here to support, guide, and ensure that every family can create a meaningful farewell in a way that feels right for them.
