Increasing numbers of families are choosing direct cremation because it gives them more choice and more time to decide how they want to say goodbye. There is no formal funeral service to arrange straight away, creating space to remember someone in their own way and at a time that feels right.
Direct cremation also costs less than a traditional funeral and can have a reduced impact on the environment. As a result, direct cremations have become more common in recent years – even though many people only recently discovered that it was even an option.
Direct cremation has risen for three years running: 14.8% of at-need funerals arranged through funeral directors were direct cremations in 2025, up from 11% just two years earlier (Funeral Solution Expert – UK Funeral Plan Market 2026). Greater awareness and wider acceptance have made direct cremation a more familiar choice.
If you’re arranging a cremation for someone who has died, we’re here to make things as simple as possible. Or, if you are planning ahead, you can arrange and pay for your own cremation in advance.
What is behind the rise in direct cremations?
Direct cremations are becoming a more common choice for families and there are a number of reasons why:
- Affordability. The cost of a traditional attended funeral has risen 146% since SunLife first started tracking it in 2004, now averaging £4,510. A direct cremation averages £1,628*.
- Freedom over the goodbye. Separating the cremation from the farewell lets families hold a memorial where and when it suits them, often making it more meaningful.
- Less pressure when grieving. Losing a loved one is already an incredibly difficult time. A direct cremation removes the need to plan a formal ceremony during this period and allows families the space to grieve properly.
- Less formality. As there is no service, families are able to choose a way of celebrating their loved one however they would like. This could be at home, or at a local pub or park, anywhere that meant something to their loved one, and there is no requirement for it to be religious.
- Normalisation and visibility. During the pandemic, restrictions meant many families had smaller funerals and held memorial services at a later date. For some, this showed that a simpler funeral could still feel meaningful and personal. High-profile examples also raised awareness. David Bowie’s reported direct cremation in 2016, for example, helped bring the option to wider public attention.
- A more environmentally-conscious option. Without a procession, embalming or a large gathering, a direct cremation has a smaller carbon footprint than a traditional attended funeral.
What is a direct cremation?
A direct cremation, also known as an unattended cremation, is a simple cremation with no ceremony, service or mourners present. The deceased is privately cremated, and the ashes are returned to the family.If you’d like to learn more, our guide to what is a direct cremation outlines how the process works step by step, and what is included.
How affordable are direct cremations?
One of the biggest reasons families choose a direct cremation is that it is more affordable than a traditional funeral. By spending less on the funeral itself, families are able to use that money elsewhere, whether that is for a gathering held later on, or simply easing the pressure at a time when money is tight.
The average cost of a direct cremation in the UK is £1,628. In comparison, a simple attended funeral costs an average of £3,828, while a traditional funeral averages £4,510*.
For further information on pricing and comparing providers, see our guide to direct cremation costs.
Do direct cremations provide more freedom?
By separating the cremation from the goodbye, families have more freedom to decide how they want to remember their loved one. Traditional funerals are usually held at a church or crematorium chapel, which may not have aligned with the person’s personal beliefs.
Instead, a memorial could be held at a local pub, or at a family garden. Ashes could be scattered in a meaningful place or kept by family members. There is no set way in which families can celebrate their loved ones’ lives.
Direct cremations also put less pressure on families to decide. With a traditional funeral, a service is usually held two-to-three weeks after someone dies, whereas with a direct cremation, that farewell can be held at any time. It allows families to grieve properly instead of having to plan during an already difficult time.
Are direct cremations better for the environment?
While a natural or green burial is generally considered to have the lowest-impact, a direct cremation can also be a more environmentally-friendly option. It does not involve elements a traditional funeral would, like embalming chemicals, a venue to heat or light, or service booklets. No mourners also means fewer journeys and no cortege, limousines or flowers. However, cremation does use energy and creates emissions, so it isn’t completely impact-free.
Memoria was the first UK funeral provider to install an electric cremator, and now 27% of our crematoria operate electric cremators – more than any other provider.
We are the only crematoria operator to hold a Platinum Award from the Greener Globe Funeral Standard. We hold two – for our crematoria at Doncaster and North Oxfordshire.
For more information, visit our page about how we’re reducing our environmental impact.
Is direct cremation the right choice for our family?
Although direct cremation has increased in popularity, it may not be for everyone. There is no right or wrong answer, only what is best for you and your family.
Most of this decision comes down to whether you would like everyone together on the day, or whether you would rather bring them together later, in your own time.
If you would like to see all of your options, see our more detailed guide to whether direct cremation is the right choice for you.
Planning ahead
If you decide that direct cremation is right for you, you can also arrange and pay for it in advance with a prepaid direct cremation plan.
Planning ahead means your wishes are clearly recorded, so your family knows what you want. It can also take away some of the decisions they may otherwise have to make at a difficult time.
Find out more about what a direct cremation plan is, what it includes, and what it costs.
It’s worth knowing that not all cremation plans offer the same level of service. When comparing providers, it is important to check that all essential services are included. Look for strong credentials, positive reviews, and transparent pricing.
Read our guide comparing prepaid direct cremation plans from five major UK providers to see what each plan includes, what it costs and what to look out for.
Explore our prepaid direct cremation plans to see what’s included and find the option that’s right for you.
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Frequently asked questions about direct cremation
How many people choose a direct cremation?
Around one in five UK funerals is now a direct cremation. The figure rose from 20% of funerals arranged in 2024 to 21% in 2025, according to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026.
How much is a cremation with no funeral?
Can you hold a memorial after a direct cremation?
Yes, and this is one of the reasons why families choose a direct cremation. The memorial can be held at any time, anywhere you like.
Do you get a coffin with a direct cremation?
A direct cremation usually includes a suitable coffin or cremation container. The person who has died is placed inside, and the coffin or container is cremated with them.
Do you get the ashes after a direct cremation?
Yes. Some families scatter them somewhere that meant something to the person who died, others keep them at home. There is no time limit on deciding what to do with them. How the ashes are returned varies between providers, so it’s worth checking what is included.
Is direct cremation a good idea?
There is no right or wrong answer to whether a direct cremation is a good fit for you and your family. If you want a more affordable, no-fuss option, and the chance to hold a memorial at a separate time, it can be a good alternative to a traditional funeral.
*Industry statistics sourced from the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026 (www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs).
Last updated: August 2026
