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A simple cremation is a farewell that is stripped back to the essentials, free of tradition, a procession, pomp and ceremony. With Distinct Cremations, you can have an unattended simple cremation or a cremation with mourners present.

Over 74,000 cremations a year Independent customer service rating of 4.9/5 on Feefo A caring and attentive team here for you and your family 24/7 Nationwide provider operating throughout mainland GB
Over 74,000 cremations a year Independent customer service rating of 4.9/5 on Feefo A caring and attentive team here for you and your family 24/7 Nationwide provider operating throughout mainland GB

What is a simple cremation?

A simple cremation is a low cost cremation for those looking for a farewell free of pomp and tradition. A farewell that is inclusive of the essentials, but nothing more.

Simple cremations include all the basics such as the collection of the deceased and the cremation itself, but they remove all the formalities such as the procession and ceremony.

Choosing a simple cremation 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 cremation and a traditional funeral in more detail below.

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A simple cremation with Distinct Cremations

The contemporary, simple, fuss-free farewell, free of tradition

  • A choice of two options: an unattended cremation with no mourners present or an attended cremation
  • A compassionate, attentive team there 24/7 for your questions and support with paperwork
  • A service free of pomp and ceremony
  • 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.

Traditional Funeral

Traditional funeral

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 is included in a simple cremation?

  • An unattended cremation or an attended cremation
  • Collection of the deceased
  • Care at our state-of-the-art mortuary
  • Removal of pacemakers, artificial mechanisms and medical implants
  • Preparation of the deceased for cremation
  • Help with all legal and cremation paperwork
  • 24/7 support from our customer service team
  • Transport of the deceased via private ambulance
  • A simple coffin
  • Coffin rested in the chapel with a chapel attendant or funeral operative present
  • Respectful and dignified cremation
  • Temporary ashes container for easy scattering

What isn't included in a simple cremation?

  • A funeral procession
  • Embalming
  • Choice of cremation time
  • Special requests such as memorials, flowers, catering or obituaries
Distinct Cremations

Whether your loved one has died or you're planning for the future, we're on hand to deliver first-class simple cremations fulfilled with care and compassion.

Find our low cost cremation services below or alternatively you can view our price list or our CMA standardised price list.

Arrange a funeral

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.

 

Simple cremation plans

From £1,899 or £19.79** per month

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.

** Price is for a 50 year old paying over a 10 year period. Total cost is £2,374.80 and includes admin fees.

Get in touch with us today

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 212 000

What does a simple cremation mean?

A simple cremation can mean different things to different people. It can be attended or an unattended funeral, it can include a service or not include a service. But one common theme is that a simple cremation includes little more than the essentials.

That means there is no procession, no limousine and no hearse. Instead, at our simple cremations, the coffin is taken to the crematorium via a private ambulance and rested on the catafalque by the funeral team.

The same care, dignity and compassion is dutifully carried out by the team from collection right through to the return or the scattering of the ashes. But there are no frills and no extravagance. Just a low stress, no fuss funeral which costs on average 69% less*** than a traditional funeral cremation.

*** 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.

Distinct Cremations

Arranging a simple cremation with Distinct Cremations is straightforward. If you need any help, our customer service specialists are available 24/7 for any of your questions.

1. Call us

You can call us any time of the day, 365 days a year, and we will collect the deceased from the place of death and bring them into our care.

Call on 01543 212 000

2. Paperwork guidance

Whilst we care for the deceased, our customer service specialists will contact the family to book the cremation and complete all the paperwork.

Our care for the deceased

3. Cremation and ashes

We will tell you the cremation date. Your loved one's ashes can then be scattered in our garden of remembrance or personally hand returned to you.

Hand delivery of the ashes

One of the UK’s best value direct cremation services, delivered with a caring and compassionate heart

Not only are our low cost funerals carried out with love and care, but we also offer one of the UK's best value services.

From your very first phone call, right through to the hand delivery of the ashes, you can rest assured that you will be in the most caring and attentive hands with Distinct Cremations.

Our caring team are here 24/7 to support you through the most difficult of times

Rhiannon Pearson

Team Leader

Rhiannon P v3

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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David John Smith, on Feefo 23 Aug 2025
Throughout the difficult process of coming to terms with the passing of my Mum, Distinct has been there for me from the beginning to the end of the process showing compassion and empathy. I cannot fault the level of care and assistance that they provided at all times and kept in contact regularly always with a kind word. I would highly recommend Distinct to anyone.
Anonymous, on Feefo 19 Aug 2025
very helpful polite and explained everything well.
Anonymous, on Feefo 16 Aug 2025
Distinct Cremations were absolutely wonderful, when my loved one passed. My loved one was treated with the utmost dignity and respect. From start to finish they communicated with me on the whole process, whilst also checking the family were OK. Sarah Miller and the rest of the team were so kind right to the end, and after my loved ones ashes were returned to us by Sophie, who showed us so much kindness, at a very sad time. Thank you all for everything you helped me and my family with.
Ella Rose Ann Clarke, on Feefo 26 Jul 2025
I was really surprised with how professional, kind & reassuring Direct Cremations were. I would highly recommend.
Sara June Smith, on Feefo 24 Jul 2025
This was the perfect intimate family funeral. Everything was well organised and took all the pressure away as I had never had to organise a funeral before. Kerry at Distinct Cremations made sure everything was just right and exactly what we wanted. The team at the crematorium were just as caring and explained how everything would happen. Thank you so much for making a difficult time so much easier.
Anonymous, on Feefo 23 Jul 2025
Truly profesional. I cannot express enough how fantastic the care and compasion and genuine kindness distinct have,, Alice was my regular contact and is such a lovely person I feel like we're friends.. MY brother was treated with care and respect..distinct cremations took care of everything in a lovely chapel and gorgeous gardens, they kept me informed every step of the way, from the very start, to the end, after getting his ashes home in a beautiful presented casket of my choice which I chose from a list I requested from them,PLEASE if your considering this kind of funeral with details of your own choice then look no further, you will not be disappointed, cannot thank Alice and all the tram at distinct enough, and will be arranging mine and my husbands funeral plans with them,
Anthony Victor Johnson, on Feefo 21 Jul 2025
An easy & sensitive experience. Good information from Martin Lewis, Moneysupermaker who recommends this firm & clear info on website. Staff helpful &the product just right for us Many thanks
Anonymous, on Feefo 15 Jul 2025
A+++ Could not recommend there service highly enough After the passing of my father they could not do enough to take care of everything The aftercare was also really caring and considerate
4.9/5
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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