A prepaid direct cremation plan lets you pay for a simple, unattended cremation at today’s price. It can help to protect your family from rising funeral costs and removes the need for them to make financial decisions during an already difficult time.
However, prepaid direct cremation plan prices vary considerably. More importantly, the headline price does not tell you everything.
Understanding what is included in the plan, who actually carries out the cremation, and whether all fees are fully guaranteed can make a real difference to what your family experiences when the plan is needed.
Not sure what a direct cremation is?
Read our guide to what is a direct cremation before reading on.
10 cheapest prepaid direct cremation plans
Here are the 10 cheapest prepaid direct cremation plans available from major UK providers, based on a single upfront payment:
| Rank | Provider | Plan price (lump sum) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crystal | £1,425 |
| 2 | Variety Funerals | £1,555 |
| 3 | Memoria Direct Cremation | £1,595 |
| 4 | With Grace | £1,595 |
| 5 | Celebration of Life | £1,650 |
| 6 | Co-op Funeralcare | £1,850 |
| 7 | Golden Leaves | £1,700 |
| 8 | Aura | £1,795 |
| 9 | Distinct Cremations | £1,795 |
| 10 | Simplicity Cremations | £1,799 |
*Prices are correct as of August 2026, based on a single lump-sum payment. Monthly instalment options are available from most providers; the total cost will typically be higher. All providers listed are FCA-authorised and FSCS-protected.
At £1,595, Memoria Direct Cremation is one of the cheapest all-inclusive plans overall. That means the price covers the services included in the plan, without your family later being asked to make up extra costs for things that are not included.
The two plans with lower headline prices both rely on third-party crematoriums and mortuaries. In some cases, the amount included towards these external costs is capped, so if those costs rise, there may be an additional amount to pay.
That means the cheapest headline price is not always the best guide to what a plan could ultimately cost.
See how our prepaid plans work, what’s included and your payment options.
Compare what each plan includes
All 10 plans cover the basics. This includes collecting the person who has died, caring for them before cremation, a coffin, the cremation and the return of their ashes. All plans are FCA-regulated, and eligible money is protected by the FSCS.
The main differences are the extra costs and services included.
Crystal’s plan costs £1,425. It is described as all-inclusive, but a larger coffin costs extra and the cancellation fee is £249. If you pay monthly, you are not covered until the plan has been paid in full.
Variety Funerals’ Solo Plan costs £1,555. It charges £150 to remove a pacemaker or other battery-operated device, £100 to deliver ashes to your home and £300 for a larger coffin. It also has a £300 cancellation fee and only covers mainland England and Wales.
Memoria Direct Cremation costs £1,595. The price includes pacemaker removal, larger coffins and hand delivery of ashes. Cremation fees are also guaranteed. Collection is available across mainland UK and the cancellation fee is £95.
The cheapest advertised plan may incur extra charges, so your family could have more to pay later.
For a more in depth guide, read our comparison of prepaid direct cremation plan providers which looks at these differences feature by feature.
What to check before choosing a plan
Beyond price, here are the key things to compare between providers:
- Does the provider own its own crematoriums? Some providers own and operate their own crematoriums. This means your loved one may stay in the same organisation’s care from collection through to cremation. Other providers use third-party crematoria, which means handing your loved one to a separate company for the cremation itself.
- Is medical device removal included? Pacemakers and other implanted devices must be removed before cremation. Most providers include this as standard, but not all. If it is not included and your loved one has an implanted device, your family will face an unexpected additional cost.
- Is hand delivery of ashes included? Some providers deliver ashes to your door at no extra cost. Others require your family to collect from a crematorium or funeral home, or charge a fee for delivery. Check what is included in the plan before committing.
- Where does the provider collect from? Some providers collect from anywhere in mainland UK as standard. Others limit collection to a set radius or charge extra for out-of-hours or non-hospital pickups. If you are not sure of the circumstances, a provider with broader collection coverage gives more flexibility.
- What is the cancellation fee? All providers offer a 30-day cooling-off period with a full refund. After that, cancellation fees range from under £100 to over £300 with some providers. If there is any chance you might change your mind, a provider with a lower cancellation fee gives you more flexibility.
- Are all fees fully guaranteed? Check whether the plan fully guarantees cremation and third-party fees, or whether it sets a cap or allowance. If fees are capped, your family could face a shortfall if costs rise between now and when the plan is used.
Paying upfront vs monthly instalments
All prices in the table above are based on a single lump-sum payment. Most providers also offer monthly instalment plans, but the total cost will be higher because of the way payments are structured.
Payment terms vary between providers. Depending on the plan, there may be set-up or administration charges, age restrictions, a maximum payment term, and different arrangements if you die before all instalments have been paid.
When comparing plans, look at the total amount payable over the full term, rather than the monthly payment alone. It’s also worth checking what happens if you miss payments, cancel the plan or die before you have finished paying.
For example, Memoria Direct Cremation offers both single-payment and five-year (60 month) payment options, subject to age and other terms. Our guide to paying for your direct cremation plan in instalments covers the options in more detail.
Whichever provider you’re considering, compare the total cost over the full term, not just the monthly amount.
What a Memoria Direct Cremation plan includes at £1,595
Memoria’s prepaid direct cremation plan costs £1,595 as a single payment or from £31.65 per month*. If you’d like to understand the standard elements of any direct cremation first, see our guide to what is included in a direct cremation. Here is what is included as standard:
- Collection of the person who has died from anywhere in mainland UK
- Specialist family support, available 24 hours a day
- Care of the person who has died in a professional mortuary
- Quality wood coffin, including larger sizes at no extra cost
- Removal of pacemakers and other medical devices
- Cremation at a Memoria crematorium or one of our chosen partners
- All cremation fees, fully guaranteed
- Support with funeral arrangements and paperwork
- Online funeral notice for friends and family
- Hand delivery of ashes to a mainland UK address, or scattering in the memorial gardens
For full details of the plan, visit the prepaid direct cremation plan page.
*Based on Direct Cremation Plan purchased over five years, with a first payment of £95.
Need to arrange a direct cremation now? Our team is available 24 hours a day to guide you through every step. Call us free on 0800 007 3921
Related Content
More guides from Memoria Direct Cremation:Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest prepaid direct cremation plan in the UK?
Memoria Direct Cremation is one of the UK’s best value, 5-star rated, fully-inclusive plans, priced at £1,595.
What is a prepaid direct cremation plan?
A prepaid direct cremation plan lets you arrange and pay for a direct cremation in advance. Paying in advance can help reduce the number of decisions your family needs to make at a difficult time. It can also help protect against some future price rises, depending on what the plan includes.
Are prepaid funeral plans worth it?
For most people, yes. Funeral costs have risen steadily. By paying at today’s rate, you protect your family from future price increases and remove the financial burden from their shoulders. A plan also provides a clear record of your wishes, so your family knows exactly what to do.
What is the difference between a prepaid plan and paying at the time of need?
A prepaid plan fixes the price now and pre-arranges everything. Paying at the time of need means your family arranges and pays for the cremation after death, at whatever the provider’s current price is.
What happens if I cancel my plan?
All providers offer a 30-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel for a full refund. After 30 days, a cancellation fee may apply, these fees vary between providers.
Can I pay for a plan in monthly instalments?
Most providers offer monthly instalment options, though the total cost will typically be higher than a single lump-sum payment.
