Top Five Things You Should Know About Direct Cremation

The rising cost of funerals and increased demand from mourners for a better way to approach planning a loved ones’ funeral has led to a rapid rise in the popularity of direct cremations in recent years.

A virtually unknown concept in the UK just five years ago, an estimated 14,000 people per year in the UK alone are now opting for this service.

Catherine Powell, Customer Experience Director at Pure Cremation – believed to be the UK’s only dedicated direct cremation service provider - said the service is hugely popular in America, with the most notable direct cremations in recent months being David Bowie and Prince, and is fast growing in the UK where families are recognising it as a liberating and affordable alternative to a funeral.

Catherine said: This choice is much more than cost – although an important factor. At little more than £1000 a direct cremation costs 60% less than an average funeral.

“This it is a simple, respectful way for a family to take care of the practical aspects of the cremation and often goes hand in hand with an even more personal memorial service or celebration of their life than the usual “funeral formula” can offer.”

Catherine said that a number of factors are swaying people’s decisions in favour of direct cremations. Among them are:

1. Direct cremation is the perfect answer for people who don’t like funerals – they’re the fastest growing form of funeral in the USA and predicted to take a substantial share of cremations in the UK in the next few years.
2. Surprisingly, the lower cost is not one of the main reasons that direct cremations are becoming increasingly popular. Choice, convenience and a preference for a no-fuss departure are the main reasons.
3. Direct cremations may not involve a funeral service but the same standards of respect and dignity are applied to care of the person who has died.
4. Family conflict can make a traditional funeral an unbearable ordeal – direct cremation offers the chance for each set of relatives can hold separate memorial events.
5. You still get the deceased’s ashes if you want them, hand delivered by the Pure Cremation team - amazingly in 2014 it was found that more than 25,000 sets of ashes are still waiting to be collected from UK funeral directors.

Catherine added: “Losing a loved one will always be traumatic but direct cremation gives you the time and space to plan the perfect celebration of life later on while we take proper care of the practical aspects.”

Pure Cremation was established by former funeral director Bryan Powell who has a pedigree in the funeral industry spanning nearly 30 years, together with his wife Catherine following a steady increase in enquiries for a direct cremation service.

Family-owned, it is the UK’s only dedicated direct cremation provider which enables the team at Pure Cremation to deliver an impressive level of personal service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at a sensible, transparent price point.

Editor’s Note: For further information contact Celeste Clarke at Century PR on 024 7622 8881 or email celeste@centurypr.co.uk.