What Direct Cremation Promises
Why Direct Cremation marketing can be confusing or even misleading, making it difficult to understand exactly what you are paying for.
What is Direct Cremation?
Direct Cremation may be a good option for some people, let’s detail what Direct Cremation is, and what it isn’t and why it can be the right choice.
How Saint & Forster are Different
As an independent funeral director, Saint & Forster offers a more compassionate option for Direct Cremations and simple funerals.
Does this sound familiar?
You want a no-fuss funeral or cremation that is low cost. You don’t want to be a burden on your family.
Or your loved ones want to make sure that their passing is simple and easy for everyone else. They don’t want a ‘big thing’. No bells and whistles. They want a ‘funeral’ that puts simplicity and ease at the forefront.
Direct Cremation seems like a good option.
But, what is Direct Cremation, and why are so many people expressing disappointment at the reality of this option?
What is Direct Cremation?
Sometimes referred to as ‘Pure Cremation’, Direct Cremation has marketed itself as a no-fuss alternative to traditional funerals. But it’s important to know that Direct Cremation isn’t a funeral. It’s a cremation with no service.
If you are considering direct cremation, please do think carefully about how family and friends might feel about this decision and its impact, and include anyone who might be affected by the lack of a funeral in the conversation.
What Direct Cremation Promises
Direct cremations have become popular in recent years because of their emphasis on simplicity, low cost and low stress.
Affordability
Direct Cremations are often a cheaper alternative to traditional funerals offering a no-fuss, simple cremation.
Simplicity
Online only direct cremation companies often present direct cremation as a simple yet dignified alternative to a traditional funeral
24/7 Contact
Much of the advertising is based around being able to contact the company at all times – we offer the same at Saint & Forster, as do many traditional funeral providers.
Stress-Free – They Take Care of Everything
Some online companies present elements you would normally expect to be included as though they’re unusual – All funeral directors will remove medical devices and return the cremated remains to you.
The Reality of Direct Cremation
“It is important to understand that a direct cremation is not a funeral.” *[Source: The Good Funeral Guide]. This means that many of the ‘benefits’ of a funeral will not be offered with a Direct Cremation.
There will be no service
With most online companies you will not be able to visit the person that has died in a chapel of rest and with some you may not be informed when and where the cremation is taking place.
The cremation may not take place locally
Some Direct Cremation companies highlight that they won’t move the remains out of the area. Not all companies do this, and they are often far from transparent in making this clear.
No Funeral Director will be involved
The person who has died will not have someone present to ensure a dignified, compassionate treatment. The person’s individual beliefs or traditions will not be recognised. There may be a charge to return cremated remains to you and you will have no choice of urns or containers.
The person who has died will not be attended to
Direct Cremation saves on costs where it can, which means There will be no single person responsible for caring for the body. It is common for the person who has died to be transported with many others to a crematorium that may be at the other end of the country.
The Good Funeral Guide offers a comprehensive list of things to consider when looking at traditional funeral services or Direct Cremations:
Is it important to have the opportunity to spend time with the body of the person that has died?
Is it important for you to know where the person’s body is being kept before they are cremated and how they are being looked after?
Is it important that the person is looked after and cremated locally?
Is it important to be in the presence of the coffin at a funeral ceremony?
Is it important to have a collective gathering?
Are there important religious, cultural and family heritage reasons for wanting a funeral ceremony?
What Makes Saint & Forster Different?
We’ve seen people come through our doors upset because their loved one has opted for a Direct Cremation, and they feel that they’ve received a cold, impersonal, distant, corporate service that ignores the person at the centre of it. The cremation happened miles away, if it was in the country at all, and their family has received poorly packaged remains weeks later. Again, If they receive them at all.
We believe there are better and more compassionate ways to do Direct Cremation if you or your loved one wants to opt for something that is less ‘fussy’ than a traditional funeral service. When you come to us we will sit down with you, with a cup of tea, and give youthe space and time you need to talk about the person you have lost. We will talk you through all of your options, including direct cremation and simple funerals and help you to decide what is the best decision for you. If you choose direct cremation we will make it into a personal and heart centred experience.
Whatever you choose we will be with you all the way.
Transparent Pricing Options
Direct Cremation
£1,520.00
We ask for full payment prior to the date of the funeral for this service.
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This service is designed for people who would prefer not to hold a traditional funeral at all, perhaps choosing instead to hold a memorial event at a later date. We can help you to arrange this if you would like us to. We will provide a cheap, no-fuss cremation only service that does not compromise on our usual high standards of care and respect. You will often see this type of service referred to as ‘direct cremation’.
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The cost includes an eco-friendly bamboo and hemp coffin made locally; collection from a local hospital; daily care and transportation of the person who has died from our premises to either Wear Valley or Darlington Crematorium. The person who has died will always be cared for in our premises by our staff and the cremation will take place locally. We will tell you the date and time of the cremation if you would like us to, and we will never use a third-party company to carry out the cremation.
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Unlike many companies that offer direct cremation, we believe that it is very important that families are able to visit our chapel if they wish to, and so the price of this service also includes visits to the chapel by arrangement as often as you wish within working hours (9am-6pm). You may also bring us clothes to dress the person in if you would like to.
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We may charge for travel outside the Darlington area. The amount will be agreed in advance with the family depending on distance.
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There will be an additional charge if the cremated remains need to be delivered to an address in the UK by courier. This will be calculated on a case-by-case basis.
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In the event that a larger coffin is required or that additional bearers are required, we reserve the right to make a surcharge of £100 for the coffin and/or £60 for each additional bearer.
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Please be clear that this service is for cremation at a time of our choosing with no service and no family present.
Download PDF of Direct Cremation Pricing
Simple Funeral Service in our Chapel
£1,670.00 – £1,905.00
We ask for full payment prior to the date of the funeral for this service.
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This is designed for families who would like a simple ceremony but feel that a service at the crematorium would not be appropriate, perhaps because only a few people would be present.
This service includes the use of our chapel for up to two hours, and the use of our sound system. A celebrant can be added for an additional £235 if required, or if only a committal or blessing is wanted this is available from a celebrant for £50. Some families may prefer to conduct the service themselves, or feel that no formal service is needed, just the opportunity for family members and friends to gather together to talk and listen to some music. On the day following the service, we will take the person that has died for direct cremation at Darlington or Wear Valley Crematorium.
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The price includes an eco-friendly bamboo and hemp coffin made locally, collection of the person who has died from a local hospital, daily care, transportation from our premises to either Wear Valley or Darlington Crematorium. The person who has died will always be cared for in our premises by our staff and the cremation will take place locally. We will tell you the date and time of the cremation if you would like us to, and we will never use a third-party company to carry out the cremation.
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Unlike many companies that offer direct cremation, we believe that it is very important that families are able to visit the person that has died in our chapel if they wish to, and so the price of this service also includes visits to the chapel by arrangement as often as you wish within working hours (9am-6pm). You may also bring us clothes to dress the person in if you would like to.
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There will be an additional charge if the cremated remains need to be delivered to an address in the UK by courier. This will be calculated on a case-by-case basis.
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In the event that a larger coffin is required or that additional bearers are required, we reserve the right to make a surcharge of £100 for the coffin and/or £60 for each additional bearer.
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Simple Crematorium Service
£2,665 – £3,000
We ask for full payment prior to the date of the funeral for this service.
This service is designed to be as economical as possible, whilst still allowing for a crematorium service. It is only available through Wear Valley Crematorium. The price includes a service at Wear Valley Crematorium which must take place at 9am or 5:30pm. The service includes music choices and a celebrant if required, but is limited to 30 minutes, including the time taken to enter and leave the chapel. It is possible to have a one-hour service at 9:30am for £895.
This service does not include the use of a hearse, and there is no option to add limousines. We will bring the coffin to the crematorium in our own vehicle, with a funeral director and two bearers who will bring the coffin into the chapel on a wheelable bier.
The price includes an eco-friendly bamboo and hemp coffin made locally, and visits to the chapel by arrangement as often as you wish within working hours (9am-6pm). You may also bring us clothes to dress the person in if you would like to.
We may charge for travel outside the Darlington area. The amount will be agreed in advance with the family depending on distance.
There will be an additional charge if the cremated remains need to be delivered to an address in the UK by courier. This will be calculated on a case-by-case basis.
In the event that a larger coffin is required or that additional bearers are required, we reserve the right to make a surcharge of £100 for the coffin and/or £60 for each additional bearer.
Download Wear Valley Cremation Pricing
Want more information?
Download our introductory leaflet on Direct Cremation and learn about how we are trying to offer an alternative, more compassionate, approach.