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Cremation costs in the UK vary depending on whether you prefer a traditional or simple funeral, and on the location. Understanding these options can help you plan an affordable send-off.

At Distinct Cremations, our focus is to provide simple and affordable cremation funerals with no compromise when it comes to dignity and compassion. Give our respectful team a call for more information about our services.

How much does cremation cost?

In 2024, the average cost of cremation in the UK amounted to £3,980[1], which gives an indication of how much you could expect to pay.

This amount covers the costs of funeral director services, cremation, a coffin, a limousine, and a minister or celebrant.

The cost of cremation will vary depending on location, beliefs, and whether you'd like a traditional or simplified send off. For instance, cremation costs will be higher for an elaborate funeral compared to something more simplified or alternative.

Whichever type of funeral you choose you can make it unique to your loved one with personal touches.

[1] The average cost of a cremation in 2024 was £3,980 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

Burial and cremation costs compared

Average UK burial costs - £5,198

What to do if someone dies in England_ wild flowers

Burials cost £5,198[2] on average, making this the most expensive option when comparing this to typical cremation costs. This represents a 8.4% increase from 2022, when the average burial cost was £4,794.

Average UK cremation costs - £3,980

 borders crematorium

The average UK cremation costs £3,980[3] which gives an indication of how much you could expect to pay. This marks a 8.3% rise from 2022, when the average cremation cost was £3,673.

It's important to consider that cultural, religious, or personal preferences can influence the cost of a cremation funeral, whether you're arranging one for a loved one or planning your own.

Average direct cremation cost - £1,597

Sue bench with funeral plan guide

A cheaper alternative to traditional funeral options is a direct cremation, which takes place without a funeral service or mourners in attendance.

Direct cremation costs £1,597[4] on average and can make it simpler to arrange a funeral at a difficult time.

Instead of bringing your family together for a traditional service, direct cremation allows you to remember your loved one in a personal and unique way instead.

[2] The average cost of a burial in 2024 was £5,198, rising by 8.4% from 2022 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

[3] The average cost of a cremation in 2024 was £3,980, rising by 8.3% from 2022 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

[4] The average cost of a direct cremation in 2024 was £1,597 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

A Distinct Cremations cremation - from £1,199

At our direct cremation, or just cremation service, the deceased rests in the chapel whilst a song of the family's choice is played before the cremation takes place.

This service is conducted without attendees, which keeps costs low and allows families the freedom to celebrate in their own personal way.

Alternatively, we offer a attended cremation service which gives the chance for family members and friends to pay their respects.

To arrange a direct cremation, speak to our caring team on 01543 211997 today.

Two People Holding Hands Caringly

Average cremation cost by region

As well as the type of cremation you choose, the local region also has an impact on the average cost of a cremation funeral. Those who live in Greater London can expect to pay the most whereas cremations in Scotland are the most affordable.

Those living in a more expensive area may like to consider a nationwide funeral provider. Paying for a funeral with a provider that has one set price for their services throughout the UK could work out cheaper than paying a local funeral director.

Region Average cremation cost[5]
Greater London £3,200
South East £3,092
West Midlands £2,917
South West £2,750
East £2,670
Yorkshire & Humber £2,668
North East £2,641
East Midlands £2,639
North West £2,608
Wales £2,497
Scotland £2,435

[5] Costs according to independent research carried out by Legal & General in 2022

What is the cheapest cremation option in the UK?

The most affordable cremation option is a direct cremation, averaging at £1,597, which is £2,383 cheaper than a traditional cremation[6]. This offers an alternative for those who want to keep funeral costs low. You can have a dignified and direct cremation with Distinct Cremations or a simple attended service.

Providers like Distinct Cremations offer dignified, direct cremations, including options for attended services. Find our services below or alternatively you can view our CMA standardised price list.

[6] The average cost of a direct cremation of £1,597 in 2024 vs the average cost of a basic funeral £4,285 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)

Direct Cremation

From £1,199

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.

Attended Cremation

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.

Both of our services include only what's necessary to keep cremation costs affordable but deliver care and compassion at every stage.

We collect your loved one, care for them at our professional mortuary, carry out the cremation and personally hand deliver or scatter the ashes. We also support you with completing all of the necessary paperwork.

Even if you were planning to spend money on a larger send off, having a direct cremation frees up funds to be used elsewhere instead.

  • You may like to gift the money to your family to give them more financial stability.
  • The money could be used to celebrate the life of your loved one in a way that reflects their hobbies and interests.
  • You could even donate the money to the hospital, hospice or care home that looked after your loved one in life.

Breakdown of cremation costs

There are some cremation fees you will need to pay regardless of the type of cremation and funeral provider you choose.

Different funeral providers include different funeral costs in their prices, so shop around to find a funeral provider that includes what you would like, without you having to pay for additional extras that you don't want to use.

Necessary cremation costs

Signing papers
  • Crematorium fees
  • Death certificate - £11
  • Coffin
  • Transport of the deceased to the crematorium

Optional cremation costs

Dark Coffin With Flowers On Top
  • Plot to bury the ashes
  • Urn
  • Celebrant
  • Pallbearers
  • Flowers
  • Orders of service
  • Embalming and viewing of the deceased
  • Death notice/obituary

If you would like to have a wake or celebration of your loved one's life, there will be additional costs involved with arranging this too.

Choosing a cremation provider

Choosing a funeral provider who specialises in the funeral you want can help to minimise your cremation costs and the support they offer can also bring you great peace of mind.

  1. Look into how funeral providers differ from one another. You can compare direct cremation providers via our comparison table.
  2. Read reviews to see other people's experiences of the providers you're considering. We're proud to say our customers' reviews on the independent rating site Feefo give us a 4.9/5.
  3. Don't feel rushed to make an instant decision. Take your time to digest your options. For more detailed information about our services, our free funeral guide is available to download online.

Two People Holding Hands Caringly

Get in touch with us today

If you'd like to chat with someone to explain the details about our cremation services at any point or you have specific questions you'd like to ask, please do get in touch. We're here to support you.

Call us on 01543212000

How to reduce cremation costs

If you're looking to reduce cremation costs, there are several things you can do to keep expenses low. Here are some tips to minimise cremation costs. Here are some tips to minimise the cost of a cremation.

Financial support

Worried that funeral costs will stretch your finances? There are many different ways to pay for a funeral and depending on your financial situation there may be help available to you.

  • If you already receive some governmental benefits, you could also be eligible for support with paying for a funeral.
  • Depending on your profession or the profession of your loved one, there may be charity support available to you too.
  • If your loved one had money or assets these can be used to cover the funeral costs. It can take time to access these funds though so payment will most likely need to be made in another way in the meantime.

Funeral plans

One way to set your mind at rest about cremation costs is with a cremation plan which is a funeral plan specifically for a cremation. Funeral plans let you choose and pay for a funeral ahead of time and can help alleviate financial concerns.

  • You know exactly how much the funeral will cost, removing any doubt and giving you clarity.
  • You can either pay upfront in a single payment or spread the cost via monthly payments to make the individual payments more affordable.
  • Even if funeral prices rise in future, the price of the funeral plan won't change so you will be protected from inflation and won't have to pay any extra.

Direct cremation

You could also choose a direct cremation, which is the most affordable option. This option eliminates the need for embalming, viewing, and a formal service, significantly reducing costs. Families can then hold a memorial service at a later date, which can be more personal and flexible in terms of location, timing, and personalisation.

Want to learn more? Read our guide: What is a Direct Cremation?

Other useful resources

Continue your research to keep your cremation costs affordable and find a funeral service that suits your preferences. Or give us a call to discuss our cremation funerals on 01543 212000.

How to have a low cost funeral

Wallet On Wooden Table

Still concerned about cremation costs? There are several steps you can take to minimise your funeral expenses. Explore the different ways to keep costs as low as possible.

See more about low cost funerals

Arrange a funeral from £1,199

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Arrange a respectful and affordable funeral for your loved one with the help of our experienced team who can guide you through the process and answer your questions.

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Learn more about direct cremation

Pure cremation costs

Interested in arranging a cremation without a funeral for a loved one or for yourself in the future? Find out more about how direct cremation works and the benefits.

Explore cremation without 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.

4.9/5
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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Lorraine , on Feefo 11 Feb 2025
Very easy to navigate the choices of Cremation plans and prices online. I spoke to a member of staff who was extremely helpful and reassuring. I choose a plan for ease and peace of mind for me and my family. I would definitely recommend Distinct Cremations.
Anonymous, on Feefo 6 Feb 2025
Pearl Susan Clements, on Feefo 5 Feb 2025
So simple, so quick, no fuss, and the follow up is with a person who cares. Exactly what I wanted, no financial worries for my family. Perfect! Thank you.
Anonymous, on Feefo 4 Feb 2025
After losing 2 of my sisters recently it made me think about my own future and sorting out my funeral for when the time comes, as I did not want my children to have to arrange things in an already stressful time for them. I already knew that I wanted to have a cremation but I didn’t want the fuss, I was debating just having a a cremation with no mourners but after discussion with my children they would prefer if they could have a simple style funeral. I looked around and other company’s were offering pure cremations or full service. This is not what I wanted. Then I found Distinct Cremation who would do a cremation but with small number of mourners and no church service. Exactly what i was looking for. I emailed and asked all the questions that I needed and Nathan replied quickly putting my mind at rest. I then contacted him a couple of days later going over a few more details that I needed answering. Nathan’s professionalism was fantastic. Going through everything with me was so reassuring. I decided to take out two plans one for myself and another for my husband. As discussed we received a follow up courtesy call to confirm we has received the package and all was ok. I’m happy with my purchases and hopefully will take away the additional stress of arranging a funeral when the time comes. Thank you Distinct Cremation for making the whole process simple and easy to understand.
Lisa Russell, on Google 4 Feb 2025
Delicately handled my husband cremation with care and thoughtfulness. Very informative through the whole process which can be a difficult and confusing time. The staff are very kind and considerate and helped me through the process Would definitely recommend
Anonymous, on Feefo 4 Feb 2025
The price was very attractive and the booking process very easy
Kenneth John Brown, on Feefo 4 Feb 2025
Sylvie Gomez, on Google 4 Feb 2025
Very good service quickly delivered at a competitive price.
4.9/5
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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