If you need to arrange a direct cremation right now, comparing direct cremation providers and prices can quickly become overwhelming. The base price is important, but it’s only part of the picture. Some providers include services that others charge extra for, and those extras can add hundreds of pounds to the final bill.
This guide compares some of the UK’s leading direct cremation providers, looking at direct cremation costs and the main differences between providers.
If you're still deciding whether direct cremation is right for you, read our guide to direct cremation.
If you’re looking for the cheapest direct cremation in the UK, it’s important to compare what each provider actually includes.
Here is what each provider charges as their base price for an at-need direct cremation i.e. it is needed now for someone who has passed away:
| Provider | Base Price |
|---|---|
| Memoria Direct Cremation | £1,195 |
| Distinct Cremations | £1,350 |
| Simplicity Cremations | £1,399 |
| Co-op Funeralcare | £1,445 |
| Pure Cremation | £1,595 |
We compared providers using publicly available at-need pricing, standardised price lists, included services, and additional fees published as of May 2026.
Memoria Direct Cremation offers the lowest base price at £1,195. As we’ll show below, each provider bundles their packages differently, so it’s worth understanding exactly what you’re paying for.
All five providers in this article cover the core essentials in their base price: collection from a hospital or coroner’s mortuary during working hours, care of the deceased, a coffin, the cremation itself, and scattering of ashes. Some providers fold additional services into a higher base price; others keep the base price low and let you add only the services you actually need – so you’re not paying for things that don’t apply to your situation.
| Feature | Memoria Direct Cremation (£1,195) | Co-op (£1,445) |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral Directors fees, services and cremation fees | Included | Included |
| Specialist family support 24 hours a day | Included | Included |
| Collection of the deceased from any hospital or mortuary in mainland UK | Included | Included |
| 24/7 collection of deceased from a residential address | +£250 | Included |
| Own Crematoriums | 11 crematoria across mainland UK | No |
| Oversized coffin | Included | Included |
| Removal of pacemakers | Included | Included |
| Provision of ashes for collection, or scattered in the memorial gardens | Included | Included |
| Hand delivery of ashes | +£100 | On request |
For the majority of families – where the death has occurred at a hospital during working hours – Memoria Direct Cremation covers everything needed at significantly less cost.
Co-op folds 24-hour collection and non-hospital pickup into their price, which suits families in those specific circumstances, though you’re paying for those services whether you need them or not.
| Feature | Memoria Direct Cremation (£1,195) | Pure Cremation (£1,595) |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral Directors fees, services and cremation fees | Included | Included |
| Specialist family support 24 hours a day | Included | Included |
| Collection of the deceased from any hospital or mortuary in mainland UK | Included | Included |
| 24/7 collection of deceased from a residential address | +£250 | Included |
| Oversized coffin | Included | Included |
| Removal of pacemakers | Included | Included |
| Provision of ashes for collection, or scattered in the memorial gardens | Included | Included |
| Hand delivery of ashes | +£100 | Included |
Memoria Direct Cremation is £400 cheaper at base price – the largest gap of any comparison here. Even adding Memoria Direct Cremation’s hand delivery of ashes (£100), the total of £1,295 is still £300 less than Pure’s base price.
Pure includes a decorative eco-urn and 24-hour collection as standard, though you may not require this, so it could be an extra unnecessary expense.
| Feature | Memoria Direct Cremation (£1,195) | Distinct (£1,350) |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral Directors fees, services and cremation fees | Included | Included |
| Specialist family support 24 hours a day | Included | Included |
| Collection of the deceased from any hospital or mortuary in mainland UK | Included | Included* * Weekdays 8am – 6pm, mainland Great Britain only |
| 24/7 collection of deceased from a residential address | +£250 | +£250 |
| Oversized coffin | Included | Included |
| Removal of pacemakers | Included | Included |
| Provision of ashes for collection, or scattered in the memorial gardens | Included | Included |
| Hand delivery of ashes | +£100 | +£100 |
Both providers structure their pricing similarly, for example charging the same amounts for non-hospital collection, but Memoria Direct Cremation starts from a lower point.
Distinct is part of the Westerleigh Group and has a larger crematorium network across mainland UK.
| Feature | Memoria Direct Cremation (£1,195) | Simplicity (£1,399) |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral Directors fees, services and cremation fees | Included | Included |
| Specialist family support 24 hours a day | Included | Included |
| Collection of the deceased from any hospital or mortuary in mainland UK | Included | Included |
| 24/7 collection of deceased from a residential address | +£250 | +£275 |
| Oversized coffin | Included | Included |
| Removal of pacemakers | Included | +£90 |
| Provision of ashes for collection, or scattered in the memorial gardens | Included | Included |
| Hand delivery of ashes | +£100 | +£75 |
Simplicity Cremations offers a mid-range direct cremation package with hospital collection, cremation fees, and ashes provision included as standard. Some services that Memoria Direct Cremation includes as standard, such as pacemaker removal, come at an additional cost.
Some providers bundle everything into a higher headline price; others keep the base price low and list extras transparently so you only pay for what applies to you. Here are the key variables to consider:
The fairest comparison is to think about your own circumstances – where and when the death occurred, and whether you want ashes delivered – then add up the base price plus any relevant extras.
The best direct cremation company for one family may not be the right choice for another, especially when comparing included services and optional extras. Every family’s situation is different, but a few things are worth keeping in mind:
Whether you’re comparing direct cremation providers on price, included services, or flexibility, the most important thing is choosing the option that feels right for your family.
Have more questions? Speak to our team about direct cremation.
Competitor pricing sourced from providers’ published standardised price lists and websites, correct as of May 2026. Prices may change without notice. This comparison is for at-need services only, not prepaid funeral plans. Memoria Direct Cremation is not responsible for the accuracy of third-party pricing.
Last reviewed: May 2026. Industry statistics sourced from the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026 (www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs).
Of the major providers compared here, Memoria Direct Cremation offers the lowest at-need base price at £1,195. However, the total cost depends on your circumstances – extras like out-of-hours collection or hand delivery of ashes can increase the final figure. The UK average cost of a direct cremation is £1,628 (SunLife 2026).
At-need pricing is what you pay when arranging a direct cremation after someone has died. Prepaid plan pricing is what you pay in advance to fix the cost for the future. Prepaid plans are typically more expensive because they guarantee the price for any time in the future.
Not at all. A higher price doesn’t mean a better service, it usually means the provider has bundled more extras into their base package, whether you need them or not.
Non-hospital collection is available from most of the top UK providers. Some providers will charge extra for this, whilst others include it in their base price, though their base prices tend to be higher overall.
