The short answer is: no. By law in the UK, there is no legal obligation to have a funeral. However, when somebody dies, the body must be disposed of either by being buried, cremated or donated to medical science.
By definition a funeral is "a ceremony or service held shortly after a person's death, usually including the person's burial or cremation." Therefore this means if you or a loved one don't want to have a funeral, you can have something called a direct cremation instead.
A direct cremation by many is still considered a type of simple funeral, but ultimately it is a cremation without a service. With a direct cremation, the deceased is collected, taken to a crematorium and the ashes are then personally delivered to the family or scattered at the crematorium. Though it's a pared-back service compared to a traditional funeral, the deceased is still treated with the same compassion and care you would expect any funeral provider to supply.
A direct cremation is the cheapest way to be cremated or buried and prices start with Distinct Cremations from just £1,199. A celebration of life or a memorial service can still take place, but this takes place separately away from the cremation at a time and date of the family's choosing.
When someone dies, there are a number of legal requirements or processes that must be adhered to in the UK, even if you don't want to have a funeral.
Here is a handy checklist which details exactly what you need to do when someone dies.
We have created a free checklist for you to download which lets you know exactly what you need to do when someone dies.
The decision to have a funeral may depend on a number of factors. This could be a cultural or religious consideration, personal preference, practical reasons or financial reasons.
Here are some reasons why you might have a funeral and reasons why you might choose not to
Common reasons to have a funeral:
Common reasons not to have a funeral:
These days, there are many alternatives to a traditional funeral. This can be something like an unattended, direct cremation which is a cremation without a funeral. A private cremation, which has a small funeral service. Or a natural burial which is an environmentally friendly alternative.
Here are a few alternatives you may like to consider if you or your loved one aren't interested in having a traditional funeral.
An unattended cremation or direct cremation, now favoured by 20% of the UK population*, has quickly become the most popular alternative. They take place without mourners or a funeral service. After the cremation the family has the option to host a memorial service.
Many like the idea of an unattended cremation because it allows the family to have a memorial service which is separate from the cremation itself.
* SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
More about unattended cremation
A small or private attended cremation, sometimes referred to as a family-led funeral, is a funeral with a small attended service designed and guided by the family of the deceased, without a celebrant or religious minister. The choice of how the service looks is entirely with the family.
A small, attended cremation or family-led funeral is an intimate affair usually favoured by those looking to say farewell in a straightforward way. There is no procession and the service can be as traditional or non-traditional as the family want.
More about attended cremations
Natural burials are a type of green funeral which are fast becoming a popular choice to an alternative funeral as people become more environmentally aware. A natural burial, occasionally referred to as a woodland burial or green burial, is where the deceased is buried at a green burial site in a natural coffin or shroud.
A green burial site is often in a forest, meadow or wooded area. Currently in the UK, these aren’t especially common, however they are increasing in availability as demand increases.
More about green funeralsChoosing a simple, no fuss funeral instead of a traditional cremation lets you celebrate a loved one’s life however you wish, with less stress and no fuss.
You can see the key differences between a simple, no fuss funeral and a traditional funeral in more detail below.
The contemporary, simple, fuss-free farewell, free of tradition
** 71% saving is based on the cost of a basic funeral at £4,141 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs) vs the cost of a Distinct Cremations direct cremation at £1,199
A fixed format funeral, with a set service
Whether you're wanting to arrange a funeral today, interested in funeral plans, or looking for something else, our customer service specialists are here for you 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
Call on 01543 211997Below are a few more resources that you may be interested in.
It is possible to organise a funeral yourself without a funeral director. If you choose to arrange a funeral without a funeral director, there are a number of key elements that you’ll need to take into consideration.
Do you have to use a funeral director?
At Distinct Cremations, we provide no fuss funerals which are simple to arrange, affordable and delivered with care, dignity and respect. Prices start from just £1,199 if you need to arrange a funeral today.
Arrange a funeral
Choosing a funeral provider is never easy, so we've created a table comparing the best funeral providers' key features and inclusions to help you compare, contrast and choose the right funeral provider for you.
Compare funeral providersBelow are a selection of reviews from those who have purchased a funeral through Distinct Cremations.
Oak Tree Court, Brookfield Drive, Cannock, WS11 0JN
