Funeral Arranger at Memoria Direct Cremation
Senior Funeral Arranger at Memoria Direct Cremation
Direct cremation is the simplest type of funeral, but what is covered varies from one provider to the next. Some advertise a low headline price and then add charges for additional services. Others offer a fully inclusive price with no extras.
This guide explains what is typically included in a direct cremation, what is not, and where providers may differ.
A direct cremation typically includes collection of the deceased, a basic coffin, all necessary paperwork, and the cremation itself. It does not include a funeral service, viewing, embalming, flowers, or a hearse. The price and exact inclusions vary between providers.
What is typically included in a direct cremation
Although every provider packages their service slightly differently, most direct cremations will cover the same core elements. These are the things you should expect to be included as standard.
Collection of the deceased
The provider will collect the person who has died and transport them to their premises where they will be cared for while the cremation is organised. Most providers include collection from a hospital (or a location that has mortuary facilities) in the price. Collection from a private address (such as the person’s home) may or may not be included. The reason is when there are no mortuary facilities, the person who has died will need a dedicated collection quickly, which will incur more costs.
Care of the deceased
Once collected, the deceased is kept in the provider’s care in a professional mortuary until the cremation takes place. This includes safe, dignified storage in appropriate conditions.
A simple coffin
Direct cremation providers include a simple coffin in the price. This is usually a wood or veneer coffin. Some providers charge extra for larger sizes, so it is worth checking this if it might be relevant.
Paperwork and administration
There is a surprising amount of paperwork involved in any cremation. The provider handles the cremation-specific documentation and will also liaise with the crematorium and coordinate the scheduling.
You will still need to register the death yourself and obtain the green form (Certificate for Burial or Cremation) from the registrar. The provider cannot do this on your behalf, but most will guide you through the process.
What is not included in a direct cremation?
A direct cremation is deliberately simple. That is what makes it significantly cheaper than a traditional funeral. The following are usually not part of a standard direct cremation.
No funeral service
There is no ceremony at the crematorium. No readings, no hymns, no eulogy, no gathering of mourners. The cremation takes place without any mourners present. This is the single biggest difference between a direct cremation and an attended cremation. Many families choose to hold a separate memorial or gathering at a later date once the ashes have been returned after the cremation.
For a comparison of the two types of cremation, see our guide to direct cremation vs attended cremation.
No viewing or chapel of rest
A direct cremation does not normally include the opportunity to see the person before the cremation. Some providers may offer a viewing as an optional extra for an additional charge, but this is not standard.
No embalming
Embalming is a cosmetic preservation process that is used when the deceased will be viewed in a chapel of rest or at an open-casket funeral. Since a direct cremation does not involve a viewing, embalming is not needed and is not included.
No choice of time
With a direct cremation, the crematorium chooses the date and time of the cremation. This allows the service to fit into the crematorium’s schedule and helps keep the cost lower than an attended funeral.
Most providers will let you know when the cremation is due to take place if you would like to be informed. This gives family and friends the opportunity to pause, reflect, light a candle, or mark the moment in their own personal way, even though they are not present at the crematorium.
No hearse, limousine, or cortege
The deceased is transported in a private vehicle, not a traditional hearse. There is no funeral procession and no limousine for the family. This is one of the reasons a direct cremation costs significantly less than a traditional funeral.
No flowers or order of service
Funeral flowers, printed orders of service, and other ceremonial items are not part of a direct cremation. If you hold a memorial gathering separately, you can of course arrange flowers and printed materials for that event.
What is included with a Memoria Direct Cremation
Memoria Direct Cremation provides a simple unattended cremation with a clear, upfront price. We offer options for arranging at the time of need or purchasing a prepaid funeral plan. Both options include the following as standard:
- Funeral Directors fees, services and cremation fees
- Specialist family support. A dedicated member of our team is available 24 hours a day to talk you through every step.
- Collection from any hospital or mortuary in mainland UK.
- Care of the deceased in a professional mortuary. Dignified, temperature-controlled storage until the cremation.
- A quality wood coffin. Larger sizes are included at no extra charge.
- Removal of pacemakers. If the deceased has a pacemaker, it must be removed before cremation.
- Dignified cremation at a Memoria crematorium or one of our chosen partners.
- All cremation paperwork and administration. The team handles this along with crematorium liaison, and scheduling.
- An online funeral notice.
- Ashes available for collection or scattered in the memorial gardens. You choose what feels right.
- Hand delivery of ashes. This is not included in our at-need package and costs an additional £100. Our prepaid plan includes hand delivery of ashes in the price.
- Collection from a residential address in mainland UK. The additional cost for 24/7 collection of deceased from a residential address is included in our prepaid plan, however if you are arranging at the time of need there is an additional fee of £250 to be added to the total cost. Our prepaid plan includes this as it is impossible to forsee the circumstances of death, however when arranging at the time of need, we only charge for the actual extras you need.
Whether you’re planning ahead for peace of mind or need to arrange a direct cremation now, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
What about saying goodbye?
The fact that a direct cremation does not include a funeral service does not mean there is no opportunity to say goodbye. It simply means the cremation and the farewell happen separately.
Many families hold a memorial gathering or an informal get-together after the cremation. This can happen at home, in a pub, in a park, at the beach, or anywhere that feels meaningful. There are no rules about timing. Some families gather within a few weeks. Others wait months until it feels right.
Research from the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026 found that 86% of families who choose a direct cremation go on to hold some form of memorial. For some people, the separation of the cremation from the farewell can be seen as a benefit, not a compromise. It removes the time pressure and gives the family space to plan something personal.
If you would like to understand the direct cremation process itself, from the first phone call through to receiving the ashes, our guide to what happens at a direct cremation covers each stage in detail. For practical steps on getting started, see how to arrange a direct cremation.
Frequently asked questions
Is a coffin included in a direct cremation?
Are ashes returned after a direct cremation?
Can I add a viewing to a direct cremation?
Does a direct cremation include collection from home?
Can I still hold a funeral if I choose a direct cremation?
Is a direct cremation the same as an unattended cremation?
What if I want something that is not included?
Last reviewed: July 2026.
*Industry statistics sourced from the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026 (www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs).
