A direct cremation provides a practical and straightforward cremation without a service or mourners present at the crematorium.
On this page we explain more about what a Direct Cremation is, the things to consider if you’re thinking about a direct cremation, and why it’s better to choose a local funeral director over an online provider.
A direct cremation (also known as an unattended cremation) is a cremation that takes place without a service or mourners present at the crematorium. The ashes are returned to the family or scattered on your behalf at the Crematorium.
This type of send-off is often chosen for its simplicity and affordability, and because it allows families to arrange a memorial at a date and location that is more personal to the deceased.
A direct cremation is generally a more affordable option than a traditional funeral with a service. But this is because many aspects of a traditional funeral have been removed.
As there is no service, there are no costs for a venue, or a minister or celebrant to lead the service. There are no costs for limousines, funeral flowers or orders of service booklets making this the cheapest type of funeral available.
The ashes are typically ready for you within a week or two. We collect them from the crematorium on your behalf and hold them until you are ready for us to deliver them to personally. Alternatively, they can be scattered in the Garden of Remembrance at the crematorium.
You can then choose what to do with the ashes, you may wish to keep them in a beautiful urn, ashes jewellery or other keepsake item. Or the ashes can be interred or scattered at a location that is personal to the deceased.
Direct Cremations provide more flexibility in terms of when and where a memorial service can be held.
You may choose to arrange a simple gathering of family and friends at home or at favourite location such a local pub or community hall. Or you could arrange to come together at an outside location, in the countryside or seaside, to scatter the ashes.
Whist a direct cremation does not include a traditional funeral service at a church or crematorium, it’s important to remember the importance of coming together as a group of family and friends to honour and celebrate the life of the deceased.
A funeral service helps people to start to come to terms with their loss and begin the process of healing. We always recommend families who choose a direct cremation, to find a way to come together in some way, to mark the death of a loved one.
This can be in the form of a memorial after the cremation, with the ashes present if you wish.
Whilst direct cremations have become increasingly popular, in part due to large online companies spending millions on TV advertising, it’s important to understand how a local funeral director can offer a more caring, personal and local service.
With Gillotts, the deceased will be cared for and cremated locally, not taken miles away to large mortuary and crematorium facilities.
With Gillotts, you can choose to visit our Chapel of Rest to spend time with the deceased and have them dressed in their own clothes. You can also add personal items into the coffin (some items have to be removed before the cremation, but we will advise you on this).
With Gillotts, the cremation is arranged face-to-face at one of our local funeral homes, with the support of our expert and local team to guide and support you every step of the way.
With Gillotts, the ashes are available for you to collect from our funeral home, or for a small additional charge can be personally delivered to you at a local address. The online providers use a national delivery service.
After the cremation, we’ll help you choose a fitting urn for the ashes. Or we can arrange for the ashes to be placed into special keepsake jewellery or momento items. Online providers don’t offer this service.
