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Choosing a low cost funeral can help relieve the financial pressure of making funeral arrangements.

At Distinct Cremations, we specialise in pared-back, simple funerals. Give our compassionate team a call if you'd like more information about our low cost funeral services.

A low cost funeral could be the best choice for you if you don't have the finances available to pay for an extravagant send-off or you know your loved one wanted you to prioritise your money elsewhere. Many people would rather their money go to their family to support them financially rather than go towards funeral costs.

In 2024, the average funeral cost in the UK was £4,285.+ For those who don't have this to spend or would rather not pay that much, low cost funerals like small intimate services or direct cremations offer respectful and dignified send-offs for much less.

+ The average cost of a basic funeral in 2024 was £4,285 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

How to have a low cost funeral

The type of funeral you choose and the optional extras you'd like to include are what have the biggest impact on funeral costs. Burial is the most expensive funeral option so many people opt for a cremation instead and choose a simple funeral to cut out additional expenses.

Arranging a low cost funeral doesn't mean compromising on care, but can remove the stress and anxiety around funeral costs that your loved one would not want you to go through.

Type of funeral

Family Walking In The Wood Between Trees

The most affordable funeral option available is direct cremation.

A direct cremation takes place without mourners present, so families can remember their loved one in an alternative way at a time and place of their choice.

Time of funeral

Coffin Outside With Mourners In Background

The time of day that the funeral takes place can also have an impact on costs.

If you know you would like attendees at the funeral so family and close friends can pay their respects, small early morning cremation services are likely to be most affordable.

Optional extras

Funeral memorial book

One efficient way to have a low cost funeral is to keep the service simple and only include the essentials.

Personal touches like readings, music and eulogies can be just as meaningful as limousines, pallbearers, orders of service and obituaries which cost extra.

Our low cost funerals

Our funeral services prioritise affordability by removing any unnecessary extras and focusing on dignity and simplicity. We offer either an unattended direct cremation funeral or an intimate cremation if you and your family would like to be present at the service.

Find our services below or alternatively you can view our CMA standardised price list.

Direct Cremation

From £1,299

Our unattended cremation is a great choice for those looking for a simple, low-cost unattended cremation without a funeral ceremony. Unattended cremations take place with no service or mourners present at our high-quality crematoria where dignified care is guaranteed throughout.

Funeral Service

From £1,899

Our Funeral Service offers an affordable funeral for those looking for simplicity and to be surrounded by their nearest and dearest. You have the choice of a 30 or a 60 minute service. This can be family-led or led by a professional celebrant. The choice is yours.

How our funerals save you money

By choosing an unattended or simple cremation, you can celebrate your loved one's life with more flexibility. A low cost funeral could free up money for a larger wake or simply relieve the financial pressure you'd otherwise face paying higher funeral costs.

To support you, we keep our funeral services as straightforward as possible so we can offer more affordable options than the average funeral costs.

No need for officiant and pallbearers

Our attended funeral services are family led which means there is no need to pay a celebrant or officiant. At the start of the service, your loved one's coffin will already be resting in the chapel which also means there is no need for pallbearers.

Simple ashes container

Many people prefer to scatter ashes rather than keep them in an expensive urn. We personally deliver ashes back to families in a simple biodegradable ashes container for scattering.

Unembellished coffin

Choosing a simple coffin or coffin alternative is a practical choice if you would like to keep funeral costs low, but still make sure your loved one has a dignified send-off.

Modest unattended service

Direct cremation has no costs for flowers, order of services, a celebrant or travel to the chapel. Instead, a piece of music of your choice can be played in the chapel with the coffin present before the cremation takes place.

Care in our professional mortuary

We don't offer viewing of the deceased or embalming which both saves you money and also allows you to remember your loved one as they were in life.

Private ambulance

Instead of a limousine or hearse, your loved one is transported to the funeral with discretion and sensitivity in one of our private ambulances.

How funeral plans can make funerals more affordable

A funeral plan allows you to choose the type of funeral you would like ahead of time and also pay for it. You can set up a low cost funeral plan for yourself, a spouse, a parent or anyone whose funeral you know you will be responsible for arranging.

Benefits of funeral plans

Funeral plans can be paid for in a single payment but if paying for a funeral in one go isn't affordable for you, the payment can also be made over a longer period of time. Our funeral plans offer the option to be paid for over 1, 5 or 10 years.

Once a funeral plan has been set up you know how much you need to pay and this amount doesn't change. Your funeral will take place as agreed in the plan even if funeral prices rise in future so having a plan now can protect you from rising costs.

See our funeral plans

Free ways to commemorate a loved one

Remembering someone close to you doesn't have to cost any money. If you've chosen to have a low cost funeral that's small and intimate, there are many other places where you can bring your wider family together to reflect back on someone's life.

You may also have a particular way you would like your loved ones to commemorate your life and if so you can share your wishes with them.

A nature walk

Family Walking In Wheat Field

Local woods, nature reserves and parks all provide varied walking routes. You could explore somewhere new or select a route that you and your loved one enjoyed walking together.

A trip to the beach

Family Walking On The Beach

A seaside trip may be especially important to you as following a cremation, many people choose to scatter their loved one's ashes from cliffs, at the beach or into the ocean.

Explore their hometown

Dying at home

You may like to travel to your loved one’s local area. Sightseeing in the town, village or city where they lived during their life can be a meaningful way to feel closer to them.

A library

Library Books On Table In Front Of Shelf

Remember your loved one by immersing yourself in one of their favourite novels. You could even ask your family to come together to share poems, readings and excerpts in memory.

Historic ruins

Historic Ruined Walls In Field

Historic ruins provide a fitting environment to look back on the past and reminisce about your loved one's life, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.

An art gallery or museum

Older Lady And Teenage Girl In Gallery

Galleries and museums are peaceful places ideal for reflection. You may like to visit a museum relevant to your loved one’s interests or pick out a piece of art that reminds you of them.

Inexpensive ways to commemorate a loved one

You can bring your family and friends together to pay their respects and remember your loved one without having to pay high burial costs or cremation costs. Low cost funerals can be followed by a modest send off for a personal goodbye without the high financial cost.

  • Hosting a wake at your own home avoids venue and travel costs. This could be a BBQ, potluck, tea party or buffet and you can ask your friends and family for help providing food and drinks.
  • For nature and history lovers, there are National Trust properties around the country that provide scenic and peaceful locations to bring your family together in memory of your loved one.
  • If your loved one had a specific hobby or liked to attend a specific event, you and your family can get involved to remember them in a unique way that reflects their personality.
  • You may wish to raise money for a charity that helped your loved one towards the end of their life. Complete a challenge in your loved one's name like running a marathon, climbing a mountain or skydiving.
  • Your loved one's favourite local pub or restaurant could also provide the ideal location for reminiscing about their life and sharing memories.

Other useful resources

Continue your research into the funeral options available to you to help discover the right funeral choice for you within your budget.

To arrange a funeral straightaway, call our compassionate team on 01543 212000.

Different ways to pay for a funeral

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As well as choosing a low cost funeral, being aware of the different ways to pay can also help to alleviate any worries you may have about funeral costs.

Ways to pay for a funeral

Spreading costs with a funeral plan

Man Working Out Costs Using Calculator

Funeral plans provide flexibility in how to pay. Find out how splitting the cost over a longer period of time could make a funeral more affordable for you.

Paying for your own funeral

Arrange a funeral from just £1,299

What to do if someone dies in Scotland_ wild flowers

Our low cost funerals take care of your loved one at every stage. Our sensitive and experienced team is here to support you in arranging a cremation.

Arrange a funeral

What our customers say about us

We offer the highest level of support, but don't just take our word for it. Below are recent reviews from customers who bought a funeral with us.

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Laura, on Trustpilot 18 Oct 2025
Felt looked after and cared about. Help and advise on the end of the phone, no pressure, treated with empathy and respect every step of the way.
Adrian Walker, on Google 17 Oct 2025
My whole experience was a very nice and well informative and the advice I was given lead myself and my wife to proceed with getting one each.and I will be recommending you to all my friends once again well done 👍👍👍
Anonymous, on Feefo 15 Oct 2025
Prompt response and kept us fully informed at every stage. Alice was compassionate and treated us with dignity throughout. Would recommend.
Anonymous, on Feefo 14 Oct 2025
Excellent service throughout.
Stewart Acreman, on Google 11 Oct 2025
Absolutely brilliant service Nathan Was so professional every step of the way cannot praise him enough
Carly Winstanley, on Google 11 Oct 2025
My aunty purchased her own cremation with Distinct Cremations. Before this I had never heard of them. The whole process for me to use them upon her passing was easy and they were extremely respectful. I phoned them as soon as she passed and they sent a local funeral home to collect her as the ambulance would not take her as she was already gone and it was expected. There was a problem with my auntys doctor not wanting to sign the death certificate and this meant they had to get a coroner. DIstinct cremations worked with the coroner and the hospital so i didnt have to arrange anything. They sorted everything out for me and dealt with the problem professionally. I was kept informed by my case worker who i was assigned right away on the first phonecall and i dealt with her all the time not having to relay everything all the time was a massive bonus. They were there if i needed to know anything. It did take a long time for the cremation to take place but this was due to the hold up with my auntys doctor not signing the reason for her death. I was told the date and time of the cremation, my aunty had asked for a song to be played why she was being cremated and although she did not want anyone to attend her cremation i was told of this song and i was able to play it at the exact time that she was being cremated as well as the cremation place playing it. This gave me some comfort. My aunty chose for us all to have a meal to celebrate her life and talk about her instead of us all attending a funeral. I believe this was the best thing she could have done. After she was cremated (a couple of days) i got a phone call to talk about her return to me ( this is what she wanted). We arranged a date and they brought her home to me. She was delivered back to me with respect and the person that delivered her ashes to me was lovely. The next day i got a phonecall from them asking if everything went ok and they let me know if i needed anything to let them know. The communication was fantastic, the service was fantastic. There were no hidden costs to pay after. Unless you wanted to upgrade anything which you are given the option to but you are not pressured, they just send you a leaflet with prices on for scatter boxes and urns and jewellery which can be ordered. There was no obligation for this and i did not choose these options. So i had nothing to pay. It was a great smooth experience and i will be purchasing my own cremation with distinct cremations for myself when i pass so my family will have a stress free time, i know they do what they say they will and my family will not incur any extra charges unless they want to upgrade anything.
Julie Western, on Google 11 Oct 2025
All through the process I had Kerry who looked after me with advice and keeping me informed. The undertaker used was a compassionate person and made us feel that our loved one was well looked after. I would highly recommend Distinct Cremations. A first rate service
Kende Sándor, on Google 7 Oct 2025
I have excellent experiences with them from the beginning.
4.9/5
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4.9/5
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