Planning a prepaid direct cremation should be simple, transparent and affordable — yet many families find themselves comparing like-for-unlike plans, unsure what the price actually covers, or whether there’ll be more to pay later. With fees, collection limits, medical certificates and ashes return policies varying by provider, it’s easy to worry about choosing the wrong plan or missing a hidden cost.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We compare five of the best prepaid direct cremation plans available in the UK for 2025, setting out prices at a glance and exactly what’s included, plus payment options, guarantees and any common exclusions. You’ll find clear summaries of who each plan suits best, along with straightforward pros and cons to help you decide with confidence. Read on to compare Go Direct Cremations, Simplicity Cremations, Co‑op Funeralcare, Pure Cremation and Golden Leaves side by side before you buy.
1. Go Direct Cremations — prepaid direct cremation plan
Go Direct Cremations focuses on a dignified, unattended cremation with clear, upfront pricing and compassionate care. It’s designed for families who want a simple, affordable alternative to a traditional funeral, with the flexibility to hold a personal memorial later and the reassurance of 24/7 support.
How the plan works
A straightforward, phone-first process: the team supports you with paperwork, arranges collection, and carries out an unattended cremation, before returning or scattering the ashes as requested.
- 24/7 first call and guidance
- Collection (standard from any hospital in mainland England, Scotland or Wales)
- Care, preparation and cremation at trusted facilities
- Ashes returned, personally delivered, or scattered in a garden of remembrance
What’s included
The prepaid direct cremation plan covers the essentials for a simple, no‑service cremation carried out with care.
- Assistance with all formalities and paperwork
- Professional washing and preparation of the deceased
- Eco‑friendly coffin and simple ashes container
- Use of private ambulances and professional mortuary facilities
- Ashes returned or respectfully scattered at a garden of remembrance
Pricing in 2025 and payment options
Pricing is built around a transparent base cost for a standard unattended cremation, with only clearly itemised extras where needed. Typical chargeable extras can include:
- Urgent home/care‑home collection or out‑of‑hours attendance
- Medical device removal (e.g., pacemaker)
- Larger coffin requirements
- Upgraded urns or designer ashes containers
Mainstream UK prepaid direct cremation plans typically list from about £1,495–£1,885 in 2025; Go Direct positions its plan competitively and lets you prepay to fix the cost of included services at today’s price.
Who it’s best for
- Cost‑conscious families who want clarity with no ceremony
- Those planning a personal memorial later on their own terms
- People needing 24/7 support or help with complex cases (overseas, coroner, organ donation)
- Eco‑minded buyers who prefer an environmentally considerate approach
Pros and cons
- Pros: Clear inclusions; 24/7 support; nationwide hospital collection; expert handling of complex cases; respectful, eco‑friendly emphasis.
- Cons: Unattended only (no service); some circumstances attract extra charges; home collection may be chargeable depending on urgency.
2. Simplicity Cremations — Lily Plan (prepaid direct cremation)
Simplicity’s Lily Plan is a no‑fuss, prepaid direct cremation plan that fixes the cost of essential services at today’s price. Arranged entirely over the phone with nationwide coverage across mainland Great Britain, it suits families who want a simple, unattended cremation and the freedom to hold a memorial later.
How the plan works
You call Simplicity any time, day or night. They collect your loved one from the place of rest, complete the paperwork with you, and arrange an unattended cremation at a preferred local crematorium; there’s no service, procession or viewing. Ashes are then returned to the family.
What’s included
The Lily Plan bundles the core elements most people expect from prepaid direct cremation plans.
- 24/7 collection from the place of rest
- Professional care in quality mortuary facilities
- Cremation fees covered
- Simple coffin and transportation in a specialist vehicle
- Ashes returned to your loved ones
Pricing in 2025 and payment options
The Lily Plan is £1,495 when paid in full or in instalments within 12 months. You can also spread payments over a longer duration for a small administration fee, provided all payments are made by the planholder’s 80th birthday. The plan fixes the cost of included services regardless of future price rises.
Who it’s best for
This plan fits those who want an affordable, unattended cremation without in‑person meetings.
- No‑fuss planners who prefer phone‑based arrangements
- Families happy to hold a separate memorial later
- Budget‑minded buyers wanting costs fixed upfront
Pros and cons
Here are the key trade‑offs to consider.
- Pros: Clear, low headline price; cremation fees included; nationwide coverage; phone‑first simplicity; ashes returned.
- Cons: Unattended only (no service, viewing or procession); longer instalments add fees. If attendance matters, Simplicity offers separate attended plans.
3. Co-op Funeralcare — Direct Cremation Plan
Co-op’s Direct Cremation Plan pairs a well-known national brand with a simple, unattended cremation and clear guarantees. With 800+ branches for face-to-face support if you want it, this plan suits families who value reassurance, transparent pricing and minimal fuss.
How the plan works
You contact Co-op, they guide you through paperwork, arrange collection and care, then carry out an unattended cremation. The cremation’s date, time and location are chosen by Co-op to keep costs low. Ashes can be collected from a branch or crematorium, or scattered for you.
What’s included
A fixed, no‑service cremation with the essentials covered and support throughout.
- Cremation fees fully guaranteed
- Collection within 50 miles and professional care
- Simple coffin and transport
- Ashes returned to a branch/crematorium for collection or respectfully scattered
Pricing in 2025 and payment options
Prices start from £1,700 for the Direct Cremation Plan (or £1,625 for Co-op members). You can pay in full, spread the cost over 6–12 months interest‑free, or over up to 5 years with charges. The plan fixes the cost of the included services.
Who it’s best for
Ideal if you want a trusted name and the option of local, in‑person support.
- Household‑name reassurance with a nationwide network
- Budget certainty via guaranteed cremation fees
- Families happy with an unattended cremation and flexible scheduling
Pros and cons
Here’s what stands out before you buy.
- Pros: Trusted national brand; 800+ branches; cremation fees guaranteed; member discount; multiple payment terms.
- Cons: Unattended only; date/time/location set by Co-op; doctors’ fees not included; viewing not offered; collection beyond 50 miles may cost extra.
4. Pure Cremation — prepaid direct cremation plan
Pure Cremation is a specialist provider focused on no‑fuss, unattended cremations. It markets itself as Britain’s most trusted funeral plan and emphasises clear pricing with no hidden costs. If you want a simple plan you can arrange in advance and lock in at today’s price, this is the type of product Pure is known for.
How the plan works
Pure handles the practicalities so families can commemorate in their own way later. You arrange the plan in advance, then when the time comes:
- You contact Pure, who guide you through required paperwork
- They arrange collection and care
- An unattended cremation takes place (no service or procession)
- Ashes arrangements are handled per your wishes
What’s included
As a direct cremation specialist, Pure focuses on the essential elements without a funeral ceremony.
- Arranging the necessary administration
- Transport and care prior to cremation
- A simple, unattended cremation (no service or procession)
- Guidance for post‑cremation ashes options
Pricing in 2025 and payment options
Pure positions its prepaid direct cremation plan as more affordable than a traditional funeral plan, with no hidden costs. When you take out a plan at today’s prices, you protect the included services against future price rises. Check current payment choices and any instalment options directly before you buy.
Who it’s best for
- No‑fuss planners who want an unattended cremation only
- Price lockers who value fixing costs at today’s rates
- Families preferring a separate memorial instead of a formal funeral
Pros and cons
- Pros: Specialist focus on direct cremation; no‑hidden‑costs messaging; price protected at today’s rates when prepaid.
- Cons: Unattended only (no service); details like doctors’ certificates, collection scope and ashes return should be confirmed before purchase.
5. Golden Leaves — Copper Plan (direct cremation)
Golden Leaves’ Copper Plan is a fixed-price direct cremation from an established, FCA‑regulated provider. It’s an unattended, no‑fuss option delivered through a UK‑wide network of independent funeral directors, with clear inclusions and flexible ways to pay.
How the plan works
Arrange the plan now; when needed a partner director handles collection, professional care and an unattended cremation. Ashes are then returned to your family or respectfully scattered as instructed, keeping the process simple and predictable.
What’s included
It covers the core elements people expect from prepaid direct cremation plans. The focus is simplicity and clarity, without a funeral service or viewing.
- Nationwide collection
- Simple coffin and transport
- Cremation fees guaranteed (typically a weekday single slot)
- Ashes returned or scattered
Pricing in 2025 and payment options
From £1,700. Pay in full, over 12 months interest‑free, or spread payments for up to 8 years with finance (charges apply). Doctors’ medical certificates are not included; longer terms can significantly raise the total paid (e.g., about £3,165 over 8 years).
Who it’s best for
Best for buyers wanting a fixed price and longer instalment options. If you’re happy to hold your own memorial later, this keeps things simple now.
- Cost‑conscious planners
- Self‑arranged memorials
- Instalments beyond 12 months
Pros and cons
Consider these pros and cons. Use them to sense‑check fit.
- Pros: £1,700 simple plan; cremation fees guaranteed; local independent network.
- Cons: Unattended only; doctors’ fees excluded; long finance terms increase overall cost.
Choosing your plan
All five plans remove the pressure of a formal funeral, but the right choice depends on the details. Focus on what’s fixed, what’s optional, and how you’ll hold a memorial later. Before you decide, compare the following side by side against your priorities and budget.
- Budget certainty: Are cremation fees guaranteed and are any doctors’ certificates included or extra?
- Collection and care: Where will collection happen, what’s the mileage limit, and are home or urgent callouts chargeable?
- Ashes wishes: Will ashes be returned, delivered, or scattered — and are there fees for delivery or upgraded urns?
- Flexibility: Are you happy with an unattended cremation, or might you want limited attendance?
- Payments: Can you pay in full or 12 months interest‑free — and what’s the total cost if you finance longer?
- Support: Do you prefer phone‑only arrangements or the option of face‑to‑face help?
Want clear inclusions, itemised extras and a fair, fixed price? Speak to Go Direct Cremations for guidance and a no‑obligation quote today.
