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 2023, the average funeral cost in the UK was £4,141.+ 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 cost of a basic funeral in 2023 was £4,141 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Our attended, personal cremation is perfect for those looking for a fuss-free farewell and a final chance to say goodbye. With our dignified and affordable attended cremations you can have up to 8 people attend a 10 minute service or up to 20 people attend a 20 minute service.
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
We provide a simple wooden coffin. For an extra £100 our Go Greener option can be added on which includes a coffin made with recycled wood fibre, carbon offsetting and tree planting.
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.
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.
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 plansRemembering 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Learn more about funeral plans
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 funeralBelow are a selection of reviews from those who have purchased a funeral through Distinct Cremations.
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