Choosing a prepaid direct cremation plan can feel like a maze. You want something simple, dignified and affordable, without hidden catches. You also need to know who handles what, what’s guaranteed, the true cost, and how your money is protected. Prices and inclusions vary: some limit collection by distance, others charge for urgent home removals; instalments can add fees; ashes delivery and medical paperwork may not be included. Whether planning ahead or arranging now, the aim is the same — avoid surprises and choose a plan that fits your wishes and budget.
This guide compares five UK providers and their 2025 prepaid direct cremation prices: Go Direct Cremations, Co‑op Funeralcare, Pure Cremation, Simplicity Cremations and Distinct Cremations. For each, you’ll see price and payment options, what’s included and excluded, regulation and protection, who it’s best for, and how to arrange. We’ll also flag add‑ons and key differences around collection, scheduling and ashes return. We begin with Go Direct Cremations.
1. Go Direct Cremations
At a glance
Go Direct Cremations provides a simple, unattended cremation with nationwide hospital collection, 24/7 support and clear, compassionate guidance. Professional care is delivered via private ambulances, modern mortuary facilities and trusted crematoria, with eco‑friendly coffins and know‑how for complex cases such as overseas, coroner or organ donation.
Price and payment options
Pricing centres on a clear base cost, with charges only for specific circumstances like urgent home collection, medical device removal, larger coffins or premium urns. Ask for a fixed, itemised quote and confirm whether a prepaid direct cremation plan is available and how payments can be arranged.
What’s included
You can expect collection from any hospital in mainland England, Scotland or Wales, washing and preparation, help with all formalities, an eco coffin and a simple ashes container. Ashes can be respectfully scattered in a garden of remembrance or delivered to family.
What’s not included
There is no attended service at the crematorium or traditional funeral ceremony by default. Any extras arise only if needed, for example urgent removals, device removals, larger coffin sizes or designer urns.
Regulation and protection
If buying a prepaid plan, confirm FCA authorisation and how funds are safeguarded (trust or insurance). Immediate‑need funerals aren’t FCA regulated; protection comes from your contract, consumer rights and service standards.
Who it’s best for
Ideal for families wanting a dignified, low‑cost direct cremation with minimal fuss and the freedom to hold a memorial later. It also suits those needing specialist handling and round‑the‑clock support.
How to arrange
Call any time to start; the team organises prompt collection, guides you through paperwork and schedules the unattended cremation. Ashes are then delivered or scattered according to your wishes.
2. Co-op Funeralcare
At a glance
Co-op Funeralcare is the UK’s largest funeral provider with 800+ branches and face-to-face support many direct cremation specialists don’t offer. Its prepaid Direct Cremation Plan is a simple, unattended option backed by a household name and strong reviews (Trustpilot 4.5★, 3,434+ reviews).
Price and payment options
The prepaid Direct Cremation Plan starts from £1,700, or £1,625 for Co-op members. You can pay in full, over 12 months interest‑free, or spread payments up to 5 years (charges apply beyond 12 months). Co-op also offers a separate at‑need direct cremation service at £1,395 (paid in full within 48 hours).
What’s included
The plan covers professional care and administration with key essentials guaranteed for a straightforward cremation.
- • Collection (within 50 miles): From the place of rest.
- • Care and preparation: Dignified mortuary care.
- • Simple coffin: Suitable for cremation.
- • Cremation fees guaranteed: No extra for the crematorium.
- • Ashes options: Collect from a branch/crematorium, or scatter in the Garden of Remembrance.
What’s not included
This is an unattended, no‑service plan with limits that keep costs down.
- • No attendance/service: Family and friends do not attend.
- • No choice of timing/location: Set by Co-op.
- • No chapel visits/viewing: Not part of the plan.
- • Doctors’ fees: Not included; may be payable if required.
- • Extras: Flowers, limousines, notices and memorials are excluded.
Regulation and protection
Co-op’s prepaid funeral plans are FCA regulated, with cremation fees guaranteed by the plan. Always read the latest key features and terms for safeguarding details.
Who it’s best for
People who value the reassurance of a national provider, transparent pricing, and local, in‑person support.
How to arrange
Select the Direct Cremation Plan, choose to pay in full or by instalments, and Co-op will handle collection, paperwork and scheduling. Ashes are then returned or respectfully scattered as instructed.
3. Pure Cremation
At a glance
Pure Cremation focuses on simple, unattended cremations and prepaid plans designed to be clear and fuss‑free. Its message is “no hidden costs” and the ability to lock in a direct cremation plan UK at today’s prices, giving families price certainty for the essentials.
Price and payment options
Pure Cremation offers prepaid plans that it positions as more affordable than traditional funeral plans. You fix the cost at today’s prices. Confirm the current plan price, any setup fees, and available instalment options before you buy.
What’s included
Pure’s plans are built around a straightforward, no‑service cremation with professional support.
- • Unattended cremation: A dignified cremation without mourners present.
- • Professional arrangements: Care, paperwork guidance and scheduling handled for you.
- • Coffin suitable for cremation: A simple, practical choice.
- • Ashes options: Typically collection, delivery or scattering — confirm what’s standard vs extra.
What’s not included
Keeping things simple means some traditional elements are not part of the plan.
- • No funeral service or procession: Family and friends do not attend.
- • No choice of date/time: The cremation is scheduled by the provider.
- • No limousines, flowers or venue: Memorials are held separately, if you wish.
- • Extras may cost more: Check boundaries for collection, ashes delivery and keepsake urns.
Regulation and protection
If you’re buying a prepaid plan, check FCA authorisation and how your money is safeguarded (trust or insurance), and read the Key Features and Terms for what is guaranteed.
Who it’s best for
Those who want a specialist direct cremation provider, clear pricing with no hidden costs, and the ability to secure essential services at a fixed price.
How to arrange
Choose a prepaid plan online or by phone, provide the necessary details, and Pure Cremation will organise collection, care and the unattended cremation. Agree how you’d like the ashes handled in advance.
4. Simplicity Cremations
At a glance
Simplicity Cremations (part of Dignity) offers a professional, unattended cremation with national coverage, its own care facilities and over 40 crematoria. The focus is simple, fair pricing with no hidden fees, and practical options for ashes collection, hand‑delivery or scattering, giving families freedom to hold a memorial their way.
Price and payment options
If you need to arrange now, prices start from £1,149. For those planning ahead, Simplicity advertises a funeral plan at £1,699 with costs fixed at today’s prices and essentials 100% guaranteed. Its site also references a direct cremation plan price of £1,495 (if paid within 12 months). Always check current pricing and instalment terms.
What’s included
A Simplicity cremation is built around dignified, no‑fuss care handled by their team from start to finish.
- Collection and care: Private ambulance to a local care centre.
- Unattended cremation: At one of Simplicity’s own crematoria.
- Ashes options: Collect, hand‑delivery across mainland Great Britain, or scattering in gardens of remembrance.
- End‑to‑end control: Delivery through Simplicity’s own facilities for consistency.
What’s not included
This is a no‑service option, so traditional elements aren’t part of the package.
- No attended service or procession.
- No limousines, flowers or venue hire.
- Scheduling set by the provider (confirm any choices available).
Regulation and protection
Simplicity Cremations is a trading name of Dignity Funerals Limited, authorised and regulated by the FCA for funeral plans (FRN 967130). Arrangements without a plan aren’t FCA‑regulated. Member of the National Association of Funeral Directors.
Who it’s best for
Families wanting a low‑cost, provider‑managed direct cremation plan UK with nationwide reach, clear pricing, and flexible ashes return, while keeping any memorial separate.
How to arrange
Arrange immediately by contacting Simplicity’s specialists 24/7, or buy a prepaid plan to lock in today’s price. They organise collection, paperwork and the unattended cremation, then return or scatter the ashes as instructed.
5. Distinct Cremations
At a glance
Distinct Cremations offers a straightforward unattended direct cremation, plus an option to plan for a funeral with a service at the crematorium. The emphasis is on simple choices and specialist support from their team to keep arrangements stress‑free.
Price and payment options
Distinct Cremations offers a direct cremation plan and a plan with a service. Confirm current prices, what’s guaranteed, and instalment choices (e.g., 12‑month interest‑free vs longer terms with charges). Ask about any extra fees.
What’s included
The unattended plan focuses on essentials delivered with clear guidance.
- Unattended cremation: A simple, dignified cremation without mourners.
- Specialist support: Paperwork help and coordination by their team.
- Plan ahead option: Fix arrangements with a prepaid direct cremation plan UK.
What’s not included
As a no‑service option, some traditional elements sit outside the package.
- No attended ceremony or procession.
- Limited scheduling choice (set by the provider).
- Extras (flowers, limousines, venues) are arranged separately if wanted.
Regulation and protection
If buying a prepaid plan, confirm FCA authorisation and how funds are safeguarded (trust or insurance). At‑need funerals aren’t FCA‑regulated.
Who it’s best for
Those who want a simple unattended cremation from a specialist, or the flexibility to choose a plan with a service.
How to arrange
Contact Distinct Cremations to discuss your needs, choose the unattended plan or the plan with a service, confirm inclusions, and set your ashes preferences.
Key takeaways
Direct cremation plans suit families who want dignity, cost control and the freedom to hold a memorial in their own time. The real differences are price guarantees, collection limits, timing, ashes return and instalment fees. Check FCA regulation for prepaid plans, read inclusions carefully and insist on an itemised quote.
- Go Direct Cremations: Clear base price, nationwide hospital collection, 24/7 support; extras only if needed.
- Co-op Funeralcare: Plan from £1,700 (£1,625 members); at‑need direct cremation £1,395; local branch support.
- Pure Cremation: Specialist provider; fix today’s price; confirm collection and ashes delivery boundaries.
- Simplicity Cremations: Plan £1,699; direct cremation plan £1,495 (12 months); arrange now from £1,149; own crematoria.
- Distinct Cremations: Unattended plan or plan with a service; check instalments and add‑ons.
Ready to choose with confidence? Get a transparent, itemised quote and kind, 24/7 support from Go Direct Cremations.