Distinct Cremations or Golden Charter. Which funeral plan?
Buying a funeral plan, like any financial product, can be confusing. Understanding the differences is key, which is why we've compared our Funeral Service Plan and Direct Cremation Plan with Golden Charter to make it easier.
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Funeral Service and Direct Cremation Plans
Both Golden Charter and Distinct Cremations provide funeral plans. However, a key difference is in how we deliver the services.
Golden Charter is not a funeral provider and do not own any crematoriums. All of their services are allocated to a funeral director available at the required time. With a Golden Charter plan, your family will receive a contribution to the cost of the cremation at the time it is needed, with no guarantee this will cover all of the services you need.
Why Distinct Cremations?
Distinct Cremations is part of Westerleigh Group, the UK's largest cremation provider. As a funeral provider, we manage every aspect of each funeral service.
Our consultants will support you in choosing the right plan for the funeral you want. Our funeral arranger will support the bereaved family, and the funeral service will take place at one of our 42 crematoriums. With our plans, there is nothing more to pay for the services you choose at the time of purchase, including options such as adding a celebrant.
It's our end-to-end service that guarantees the quality of care you expect, with no unexpected costs.
Borders Crematorium
No future costs
With our funeral plans, you know that all of the essential elements are included in the price you pay today. There is no need to add anything later, at future prices.
Experienced funeral providers
We handle everything from managing your plan to support with arranging the funeral. By providing end to end care, we can guarantee quality of service we provide.
We use our own crematoriums
As part of the Westerleigh Group, we have 42 crematoriums across the UK. With a Funeral Service Plan, you choose the crematorium.
Ashes are hand delivered to a family member
Our funeral plans include hand-delivery of ashes to a family member within 14 days of the cremation or scattering at the crematorium if you prefer.
How does a Distinct Cremations funeral plan compare to a Golden Charter funeral plan?
When you choose a funeral plan, it's important to confirm what's included. Our services are guaranteed at the price you pay today.
Where a plan provides a contribution only, you may have to pay more later.
In the two tables below, we have compared our plans with Golden Charter to consider what is included, and what may be added on at the time of the funeral.
Funeral Service Plans compared
Distinct Cremations offer two Funeral Service Plans, giving you a choice of 30 or 60 minute services at the crematorium.
| Product feature | Golden Charter Value Plan | Distinct Cremations 30 minute Funeral Service Plan | Distinct Cremations 60 minute Funeral Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,130 | £2,499 | £2,999 |
| Cancellation fee | £325 | £275 | £275 |
| Service length | subject to contribution # | 30 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Collection 24 hours a day * | |||
| Collection throughout mainland UK | 25 miles of Funeral Director | ||
| Removal of pacemaker, medical implants or artificial limbs | |||
| Provision of standard coffin | |||
| No charge for oversized coffin | |||
| Transport of the deceased | |||
| Guaranteed cremation fee | £800 contribution | ||
| Choice of crematoriums | ** | ** | |
| Use of own crematoriums | |||
| Choice of cremation time | |||
| Includes Celebrant | +£250 | +£250 | |
| Personal return of ashes included |
| Product feature | Price | Cancellation fee | Service length | Collection 24 hours a day * | Collection throughout mainland UK | Removal of pacemaker, medical implants or artificial limbs | Provision of standard coffin | No charge for oversized coffin | Transport of the deceased | Guaranteed cremation fee | Choice of crematoriums | Use of own crematoriums | Choice of cremation time | Includes Celebrant | Personal return of ashes included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Charter Value Plan | £3,130 | £325 | subject to contribution # | 25 miles of Funeral Director | £800 contribution | ||||||||||
| Distinct Cremations 30 minute Funeral Service Plan | £2,499 | £275 | 30 minutes | ** | +£250 | ||||||||||
| Distinct Cremations 60 minute Funeral Service | £2,999 | £275 | 60 minutes | ** | +£250 |
*Collection from any place of death throughout mainland UK, 24 hours a day.
**Choice of any Westerleigh Group crematorium
#Length of service not specified & subject to contribution amount
All information correct as of 05/02/2026
Direct Cremation Plans compared
We also offer a direct cremation, often called an unattended cremation. This has no service, giving the family the choice of a celebration of life at a time and place that is unique to them.
| Product feature | Golden Charter direct cremation plan | Distinct Cremations direct cremation plan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,885 | £1,999 |
| Cancellation fee | £325 | £275 |
| Collection 24 hours a day* | ||
| Collection throughout mainland UK | 25 miles of Funeral Director | |
| Removal of pacemaker, medical implants or artificial limbs | ||
| Provision of standard coffin | ||
| No charge for oversized coffin | ||
| Notification of the date of the cremation | ||
| Use of own crematoriums | ||
| Personal return of ashes included | ||
| Viewing of the deceased |
| Product feature | Price | Cancellation fee | Collection 24 hours a day* | Collection throughout mainland UK | Removal of pacemaker, medical implants or artificial limbs | Provision of standard coffin | No charge for oversized coffin | Notification of the date of the cremation | Use of own crematoriums | Personal return of ashes included | Viewing of the deceased |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Charter direct cremation plan | £1,885 | £325 | 25 miles of Funeral Director | ||||||||
| Distinct Cremations direct cremation plan | £1,999 | £275 |
*Collection from any place of death throughout mainland UK, 24 hours a day.
All information correct as of 05/02/2026
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What sets Distinct Cremations apart?
Distinct Cremations specialises in providing a simple alternative to traditional funerals. When you choose a funeral with us, you'll be given a dedicated funeral arranger who will support you at every step. We'll help you choose the service that you want and explain your options clearly, without any hard sell.
As well as 42 crematoriums around the UK, we have our own state-of-the-art facilities in Staffordshire. This gives us the flexibility to offer affordable and straightforward cremations, and the experience to deliver each one with professional dignity and compassion.
Forest of Dean Crematorium
How we care for you
A dedicated funeral arranger by your side
Your family will be assigned a dedicated funeral arranger to offer support at each stage of the arrangements.
Here for you every day
We're available 24/7 to bring deceased loved ones into our care.
A choice of crematoriums around the UK
Our crematoriums have beautiful gardens to scatter ashes, and offering a place to visit for reflection.
Hand-delivered ashes returned to you with care
Ashes are individually identified and tracked at all times, and hand-delivered within 14 days of the cremation.
Find the right funeral plan for you
Our affordable funeral plans offer the choice of a funeral service at the crematorium or a direct cremation without mourners present.
Answer the quick and simple questions below for an instant quote tailored to your wishes.
Want more information or have questions? Give our compassionate Customer Service Specialists a call on 01543 211997.
Call our friendly team today
If you have any questions at all or want to talk through your options about any of our funeral plans, please call our friendly, expert team today.
We are wholeheartedly committed to providing funeral services we'd be proud to give our own loved ones.
