Can you have a cremation without a funeral service?
If you would prefer, you can choose a cremation without a funeral. Unlike traditional funerals, cremations without funeral services have no funeral procession, flowers or cars, and no mourners attend at the crematorium itself.
You can arrange a cremation without a funeral service with us for just £1,299, including cremation fees and collection of the deceased.
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Experience you can trust
Over 74,000 cremations a year
Expert funeral care
Supporting families for over 30 years
What is a cremation without a funeral service?
Cremations without a funeral service, also referred to as direct cremation or cremation only, are becoming more popular. Unlike traditional funerals, there is no service or attendance of friends and family at the crematorium itself.
A cremation without a funeral emphasises simplicity whilst keeping the highest standards of care. It is an affordable no-fuss funeral option. With Distinct Cremations, our cremations are available for £1,299 if you need to arrange a funeral or £1,899 for a funeral plan.
Mercia Forest Crematorium
How is a cremation without a funeral service different?
Choosing a cremation without a funeral service instead of a traditional funeral 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 cremation only funeral service and a traditional funeral in more detail below.
A cremation without a funeral service
A fuss free farewell with Distinct Cremations
- An unattended cremation with no mourners and no service
- A compassionate, attentive team there 24/7 for your questions and support with paperwork
- You can organise a separate memorial service that's personal and unique to your loved one
- On average 69%* cheaper than a traditional funeral, with prices starting from just £1,299
* 69% saving is based on the cost of a basic funeral at £4,285 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/ funeral-costs) vs the cost of a Distinct Cremations direct cremation at £1,299.
A traditional funeral with optional extras
A fixed format funeral, with a set service
- A set format 20-50 minute service held in a traditional setting like a church or chapel with mourners present
- Traditionally less personal and flexible
- Option to have a procession with a hearse and limousines
- Funeral and service coordination from a funeral director
- Costs on average £4,285# for a basic funeral
# The average cost of a basic funeral in 2024 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025, sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)
What's included in a simple cremation?
| Direct Cremation | |
|---|---|
| An unattended cremation or an attended cremation | |
| Collection of the deceased | |
| Care at our state-of-the-art mortuary | |
| Removal of artificial mechanisms & pacemakers | |
| Prepare the deceased for cremation | |
| Help with all legal and cremation paperwork | |
| 24/7 support | |
| A simple coffin or urn | |
| Coffin rested in the chapel with an attendant present | |
| Respectful cremation at one of our 42 crematoriums | |
| A funeral procession | |
| Embalming & viewing of the deceased | |
| Choice of crematorium or cremation time | |
| Special requests such as memorials, flowers or obituaries |
| An unattended cremation or an attended cremation | Collection of the deceased | Care at our state-of-the-art mortuary | Removal of artificial mechanisms & pacemakers | Prepare the deceased for cremation | Help with all legal and cremation paperwork | 24/7 support | A simple coffin or urn | Coffin rested in the chapel with an attendant present | Respectful cremation at one of our 42 crematoriums | A funeral procession | Embalming & viewing of the deceased | Choice of crematorium or cremation time | Special requests such as memorials, flowers or obituaries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Cremation |
Our cremation without a funeral service
Whether your loved one has died or you’re planning a prepaid cremation without ceremony arrangements for the future, we’re on hand to deliver a first-class service fulfilled with care and compassion.
Find our low cost funeral services below. Alternatively you can view our price list or our CMA standardised price list.
Arrange an unattended cremation
From £1,299
Whether your loved one has died or is close to passing, our team is available 24/7 to support and talk you through the next steps; from collection and care of your loved one, completion of all paperwork, to the day of the funeral itself.
Unattended funeral plans
From £1,899
Relax knowing that the arrangements are agreed and paid for. There are no medical questions and acceptance is guaranteed. You can also pay in monthly instalments.
Get in touch with us today
Whether you want to arrange a funeral today, are interested in funeral plans, or you're looking for something else, our customer service specialists are here for you 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
Borders Crematorium
How our direct cremation service works
1. Call us
Call us 24/7 to begin the arrangements or ask any questions
2. We bring into our care
We will transport your loved one to our professional mortuary by private ambulance
3. Care and support
Whilst your loved one is prepared for cremation, we support you with all essential paperwork.
Cremation takes place
Your loved one's coffin is respectfully carried through the crematorium before their cremation.
5. Ashes are returned
Ashes can be scattered at the crematorium or personally returned within 14 days.
How much does a cremation only funeral cost?
A cremation without a ceremony is the cheapest funeral option. However, the cheaper cost doesn't mean compromising on dignity or care for your loved one.
At Distinct Cremations, our professional teams personally deliver all of our own services so we can ensure quality of care throughout. A cremation only funeral plan starts from just £1,899 and can be paid in a single payment or in monthly instalments over 12 months, 5 years or 10 years.
If you need to arrange a cremation without a funeral today, the price starts from just £1,299.
Our comparison tables let you compare direct cremation costs and compare funeral plan costs and what we include against other providers.
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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