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Written by Adam McIlroy.
13 minute read
Article reviewed by James Daley, Managing Director at Fairer Finance on May 28, 2025.
One of the first things we tend to notice when we are confronted with the need to arrange a funeral (or when we start to think about our own future funeral) is how expensive things can be. For that reason, many of us are looking for ways of arranging a low-cost cremation. In this article, we will discuss, among other things: what is a low-cost cremation; the affordability of direct cremation; and things to consider when arranging a low-cost cremation. We hope you find it useful.
We’d also just like to say that, whether you are looking into this now because you have recently been bereaved and find yourself needing to arrange something at short notice, or because you are thinking about your own future funeral needs, we recognise the potential difficulty of your situation. Aura is here to help you whatever the case may be.
Key Takeaways
A low-cost cremation, more popularly known today as a ‘direct cremation’ or a ‘no-fuss funeral‘ is one of the most affordable types of cremation available in the UK. It’s a type of funeral that focuses on being concise and cost-effective above most other things. Despite that, they are just as dignified and respectful as a traditional funeral.
Usually, direct cremation takes place without any mourners present, or any of the usual formal elements we tend to associate with funerals, such as hearses, floral tributes with the name of the person who has died, or a funeral procession.
It’s a type of low cost cremation funeral ceremony that is getting more and more popular in the UK. In fact, According to SunLife, 20% of funerals in the UK in 2023 were direct cremations, confirming their steady rise in popularity. Their report also shows that awareness of direct cremation has grown from 52% in 2019 to 76% in 2023, highlighting a major shift in public understanding and preferences when it comes to funeral planning. This is likely due to three main reasons:
It looks like the changes in the UK funeral landscape are here to stay. We will now take a closer look at the concept of a low-cost cremation, providing guidance on how to arrange a low-cost cremation, and on what support is available out there when it comes to how to pay for a funeral.
At Aura, we know just how heavily paying for the cost of a low cost funeral can weigh, whether that’s a funeral service for a loved one needed immediately, or a plan for your own funeral in the future.
SunLife puts last year’s average UK funeral cost at £4,285. They also point out that, between 2004 and 2024, funeral prices have risen by 126%, far above the general consumer price inflation of 72% in the same period.
It’s not surprising that many people see a low-cost, direct cremation as a way out of this predicament. At £1,695, we’re proud to offer families our prepaid funeral plans, starting at less than half of SunLife’s average UK funeral price. With Aura, you can benefit from more affordable prices without having to compromise on quality.
Direct Cremation (Aura)
Starts at £1,195 for immediate need
No formal ceremony or hearse
Ashes returned or scattered
No hidden costs or upselling
Flexible payment options available
Traditional Funeral (UK Average)
Costs around £4,285
Includes ceremony, hearse, venue hire
Often includes flowers or orders of service
May involve multiple third-party fees
Higher pressure during a time of grief
One way to make organising a funeral easier, whether a low-cost cremation or otherwise, is to break the process down into individual steps.
Many people wonder, “what happens in a cremation in the UK?”
With Aura, the cremation process works like this: once we’re notified that a death has occurred, we bring that person into our care as swiftly as possible, making sure that, until the day of the cremation, they are resting in state-0f-the-art, local mortuary facilities. On the cremation day, we bring them to the crematorium from where they are resting in a private ambulance.
The cremation itself occurs very shortly after the ceremony, and takes 1–3 hours. Within 21 days of the cremation, we hand-deliver the ashes back to the family at no extra cost, or we scatter them in the crematorium’s peace garden, in line with their wishes. Please be advised that, with funerals organised at short-notice, hand-delivery has a nominal fee.
It’s important to take the time to think about what you’d like out of your funeral: do you want guests to attend? If so, how many? Or would you rather that your cremation is completely unattended and understated? What sort of music would you like; some of the best funeral songs or the most popular UK funeral hymns? The answer to these questions will help to determine the kind of service that will be delivered, as well as the price you’ll pay.
Different providers allow for the attendance of guests, even at a cheap cremation. If you’re struggling to decide on the best low cost funeral option for you, why not try talking about death and dying with them, to see if they can help you to decide on your funeral wishes?
Once you’ve figured out the kind of funeral you are looking for, the next thing you may want to think about is finding a provider that is a good match for you. It’s always important to bear in mind that each provider is different, and they may offer different types of plan, all including different things.
As recommended by Money Saving Expert, if you’re opting for a prepaid funeral plan, make sure you understand what’s included in the price you’re paying. That way you can be sure you’re getting the lowest possible cost for your cremation. Whether your funeral needs are short term or long term, it can be really helpful to compare direct cremation providers, or to compare funeral plans, giving you a clearer idea of what your options are.
There are different ways of paying for funerals. If you are organising one for someone who has died recently, usually the funeral needs to be paid in one transaction. But if you are getting your own end-of-life plans in place, there are other options available, such as a prepaid funeral plan, or over-50s life insurance.
With one of Aura’s affordable cremation plans, you can pay for everything in advance, choosing to pay in a lump sum, or in 12-to-24 monthly instalments. We don’t charge you a different price should you decide to split the payments; it’s always the same final cost, which means that you can choose what to do without any pressure.
| Unattended | Intimate | Fully Attended | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating from independent experts at Fairer Finance | |||
| Cremation fees included | |||
| Collection fees included. 24/7 within mainland Britain | |||
| Oversized/bariatric coffin | |||
| Return of ashes or scattered in the garden of remembrance | |||
| Removal of standard medical items (e.g. pacemaker) | |||
| Choice of crematorium | |||
| Attended Service | 10-minute attended service for 15 people | 40-minute service for unlimited people (up to the maximum capacity of the crematorium). |
Aside from direct cremation, there are a few other lower-cost funeral options and alternatives to consider. Eco-burials offer a natural alternative, using biodegradable materials and avoiding headstones or embalming, which can reduce both environmental impact and cost. DIY funerals are another option—where families handle arrangements themselves, such as transporting the body and organising a private ceremony—cutting out many of the traditional expenses. While these options may require more planning, they can offer a meaningful and personal farewell without the high price tag.
Many types of funeral can be expensive, even the ones we are calling “low-cost cremations”. The thought of having to pay a large bill for funeral expenses can bring a lot of stress into the lives of any family. Besides looking for affordable cremation plans, or providers with reasonable prices, for those in need there is help with funeral expenses available from the public sector, and from charities.
The British government has two specific schemes allowing certain families to claim funeral costs: The Bereavement Support Payment and The Funeral Expenses Payment. Did you know that it may also be possible, if your loved one has died, to access money in their bank or building society account, if you need it to pay for low cost funeral expenses?
This can be done through the Grant of Probate scheme, and can be a big help for families where the main earner has passed away.
There are also charities in the UK that provide all kinds of bereavement-related support.
We hope you’ve found this article about arranging a low cost cremation funeral service useful. Aura is the top-rated national ‘Cremation Services’ provider in the UK on Trustpilot, with a score of 4.9/5 stars. Our compassionate, people-first approach to service has helped us to earn this recognition. Our cremation services are available for fully unattended ceremonies, intimate ceremonies, and fully attended ceremonies. They start at £1,695 for those looking for a funeral plan, and at £1,195 for those in need now.
The secret to our success is our Aura Angel team, who will be there to support either you or your family in arranging a low-cost cremation, whether as part of a funeral plan for your own future funeral, or for more immediate needs. They can offer emotional, logistical, and administrative support.
If you think that Aura can help you to get a low cost funeral plan sorted, why not download our free funeral plan brochure today? If it fails to answer all of our questions, we’d be delighted to hear from you over the phone.
The information in this article is here to help you understand your options and feel more informed, but it shouldn’t be taken as legal or financial advice. If you’re unsure about anything or need personal guidance, it’s always best to speak with a qualified professional.
Our brochure includes all the details you need surrounding our prepaid direct cremation funeral plans.
Get your free brochure sent by email or First Class post by clicking on the link below.
A low-cost cremation, commonly known as a direct cremation or a ‘simple cremation‘, offers a more affordable option compared to funeral costs for a traditional service. It involves the cremation taking place without a formal service at the time, giving families the flexibility to hold a personal memorial later, in their own way. By skipping elements like hearses, floral displays, officiants, and venue hire, direct cremations can significantly reduce funeral costs.
The cheapest cost for a cremation is direct cremation, starting with aura at £1,195. Our budget cremations provide a respectful alternative to expensive traditional funerals, without the worry of hidden fees or complex arrangements.
People choose direct cremations for a range of personal and practical reasons. For many, it’s a way to manage costs, especially with traditional funeral prices continuing to rise. Others prefer the simplicity of a cremation without the formality or pressures of a traditional service. Some families also opt for a direct cremation because it aligns better with their beliefs or values, or because they’d rather organise a separate memorial at a more meaningful time and place.
Planning a cremation at low cost doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—Aura’s team supports you every step of the way with transparency and compassion. All of Aura’s cremation plans include:
Collection of the person who has died (24/7, within mainland Britain)
Care in state of the art mortuary facilities
Cremation fees
Hand-delivery of ashes (or scattering in the garden of remembrance)
Removal of standard medical devices (like pacemakers)
Plan types vary in attendance options—from unattended cremations to fully attended services.
Can you scatter ashes anywhere? You can scatter ashes in many places, but there are some rules. On private land, you need the landowner’s permission. For public spaces like parks or beaches, check with the local council. Scattering at sea or on rivers is usually allowed, but should follow environmental guidelines. Aura also offers scattering in a crematorium’s garden of remembrance as part of our service.
Yes, you can absolutely arrange your own cremation in advance. Many people choose to do this as a way to relieve their loved ones of the emotional and financial pressure that often comes with planning a funeral. By setting up a prepaid direct cremation plan, you can make sure your wishes are clearly outlined and the costs are covered ahead of time. At Aura, we offer flexible plans that allow you to pay upfront or in monthly instalments, giving you control over the arrangements and peace of mind for the future.
You may be wondering what a direct cremation includes.
A typical low cost funeral cremation service often includes the basic essentials such as transportation of the person who has died, necessary paperwork, the actual cremation process, and the return of the ashes to the family. Additional services, such as a memorial service or permanent memorialisation options, can be arranged separately, depending on the family’s wishes.
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