How to reduce cremation costs by up to 60%

The cheapest way to be cremated is by having a direct cremation, also known as 'cremation without ceremony' or 'unattended cremation'.

A direct cremation is the cheapest cremation because there's no funeral service or ceremony with family members before the cremation.

It's an increasingly popular option for people in the UK who want to cut back on funeral expenses.

According to the 2024 SunLife Cost of Dying report, the average cost of a traditional funeral with cremation in the UK is £3,500-£5,000. In contrast, a direct cremation costs just £900-£1,500 - a saving of 50-60%.

The growing popularity of direct cremation reflects changing attitudes towards funerals in the UK. Many people now prefer simplicity and value over traditional ceremonies, especially when concerned about leaving debt to loved ones.

What is direct cremation?

Direct cremation is the simplest and most affordable form of cremation. The deceased is collected from the place of death, transported to the crematorium, and cremated without any funeral service, viewing, or attendance beforehand.

What's included in direct cremation:

• Collection of the deceased from place of death (within local area)
• Simple coffin or casket suitable for cremation
• Transportation to crematorium
• Cremation fees and doctor's certificates
• All necessary paperwork and administration
• Return of ashes in a basic container (urn optional extra)

What's NOT included:

- Funeral service or ceremony - Viewing of the deceased - Embalming - Flowers or floral tributes - Limousines or transport for mourners - Attendance at crematorium - Premium coffin or casket

The cremation typically takes place at a time chosen by the crematorium, often early morning or late afternoon, with no family or friends present. This allows crematoria to schedule direct cremations efficiently between attended services, keeping costs low.

Many families choose direct cremation to save money on the funeral itself, then hold a more personal, affordable memorial service later. This separates the practical disposal of remains from the emotional remembrance, giving families more control over timing and costs.

Traditional cremation costs breakdown

Understanding traditional cremation costs helps explain why direct cremation is so much cheaper. A traditional funeral with cremation involves numerous services and expenses that add up quickly.

Typical costs for traditional cremation funeral (2025 UK averages):

Traditional Cremation Cost Breakdown

Service	Average Cost	Notes
Funeral director fees	£2,000-£2,500	Professional services, organization, coordination
Crematorium fees	£700-£900	Cremation itself plus chapel hire for service
Coffin	£400-£800	Traditional veneer or solid wood coffin
Hearse	£200-£350	Transportation of deceased to crematorium
Limousines	£150-£300 each	Usually 2-3 cars for family members
Flowers	£100-£300	Wreaths, sprays, and tributes
Order of service	£50-£150	Printed programs for attendees
Celebrant/minister	£150-£250	Person conducting the service
Viewing/embalming	£100-£200	If family wishes to see deceased beforehand
Ashes casket/urn	£50-£500	Container for cremated remains

Total average cost: £3,500-£5,000. Costs vary by region, with London and South East typically 20-30% higher.

Additional costs not included above:

- Wake or reception (£200-£1,000+ depending on venue and catering) - Death notices in newspapers (£50-£300 per publication) - Memorial plaque or niche (£200-£2,000) - Organist or musician (£100-£200) - Video recording or live streaming (£100-£300)

According to SunLife's 2024 Cost of Dying report, when ALL funeral-related costs are included (professional fees, ceremony costs, plus wake and memorial), the average reaches £9,658 - a substantial financial burden for many families.

Regional variation is significant. Funeral costs in London average £5,200, compared to £3,200 in Northern Ireland. Crematorium fees alone range from £500 in some rural areas to over £1,000 in major cities.

How to reduce cremation costs further

Beyond choosing direct cremation, there are several additional ways to minimise cremation expenses and keep funeral costs as low as possible.

1. Shop around for direct cremation providers: Prices vary significantly between providers. Compare at least 3-4 companies. National providers often charge £995-£1,295, while local cremation services may offer £800-£1,000. Always check what's included and read reviews.
2. Choose a simple coffin: Opt for the most basic coffin option (usually chipboard or simple veneer). Some providers offer cardboard coffins which are environmentally friendly and cheaper. Avoid upgrades to solid wood or elaborate designs which add £200-£500.
3. Limit additional services: Decline optional extras like premium urns (£50-£500), memorial books, video tributes, or attendance options. Stick to the core direct cremation package to keep costs minimal.
4. Consider DIY elements: If holding a memorial service separately, do it yourself at home or in a free venue (park, beach, garden) rather than hiring a venue. Prepare food yourselves instead of catering. Create your own order of service using free templates.
5. Use local authority cremation: In cases of financial hardship, local councils can arrange a 'public health funeral' (also called pauper's funeral) through environmental health departments. This is a basic cremation at council expense, though family has limited control over arrangements.
6. Claim available benefits: If you're on low income/benefits, you may qualify for a Funeral Payment from the government (up to £1,000 in England/Wales, different amounts in Scotland/Northern Ireland). This helps with cremation costs but must be repaid from the deceased's estate if there are assets.
7. Check for employer benefits: Some employers offer death-in-service benefits (typically 3-4 times annual salary) which can cover funeral costs. Trade unions sometimes provide funeral grants for members (£500-£3,000).
8. Negotiate with funeral directors: Funeral directors must provide transparent pricing. Don't be afraid to ask for discounts or question charges that seem excessive. Some offer payment plans if paying upfront is difficult.

Cheapest option of all: In rare cases, if absolutely nobody can afford cremation and no benefits apply, the local authority has a legal duty to arrange cremation/burial at public expense. However, this should be last resort as family has no input into arrangements.

Paying for cremation with life insurance

One of the most effective ways to ensure cremation costs don't burden your family is to arrange life insurance that covers funeral expenses in advance.

Over 50s life insurance is specifically designed to cover funeral and cremation costs, with guaranteed acceptance for ages 50-85 and no medical exams required.

Example costs for cremation cover:

£3,000 cover (enough for direct cremation + extras): - Age 55 non-smoker: £8-12/month - Age 65 non-smoker: £15-22/month - Age 75 non-smoker: £25-35/month

£5,000 cover (covers traditional cremation funeral): - Age 55 non-smoker: £12-18/month - Age 65 non-smoker: £22-32/month - Age 75 non-smoker: £38-55/month

Most over 50s policies have a 12-24 month qualifying period, meaning if you die from natural causes within this time, only premiums paid are refunded (not full cover). However, accidental death usually pays out immediately. After the qualifying period, full cover applies regardless of cause of death.

Planning ahead with life insurance gives you peace of mind that your family won't face difficult financial decisions during an already emotional time. The payout arrives quickly (usually 7-14 days after claim), ensuring cremation costs can be paid promptly.

For most people, over 50s life insurance offers better value and flexibility than pre-paid funeral plans, especially if considering direct cremation where costs are predictable and low.

Compare Life Insurance for Cremation Costs »