An unattended cremation — often called a direct cremation — is a simple cremation that takes place without a funeral service and without mourners present. Your loved one is collected, cared for, and cremated privately by professionals. There’s no hearse, limousines, flowers, or chapel booking. Afterwards, the ashes can be returned to you or scattered at the crematorium, giving families time and freedom to plan a personal farewell later. It’s also typically the most affordable cremation option.
In this guide, we explain how direct cremation works in the UK: how it differs from an attended funeral, where it happens and how long it takes, what’s included (and not), typical costs, the paperwork, pros and cons, ashes options, memorial ideas, and the key questions to ask before choosing a provider.
Direct cremation vs attended funeral: what’s the difference?
A direct (unattended) cremation is the simplest option: the cremation takes place privately with no service and no mourners present. An attended funeral includes a ceremony with family and friends at a crematorium or place of worship. The key differences come down to ceremony, timing, logistics and cost.
- Ceremony and attendance: Direct cremation has no service; an attended funeral includes readings, music and eulogies with mourners present.
- Timing and pace: Direct cremation happens privately, letting you hold a memorial later; attended funerals are usually arranged within days.
- Logistics: Direct cremation involves no hearse, limousines or venue booking; attended funerals add vehicles, venues and often catering.
- What you pay for: Direct cremation typically covers essentials like cremation fees, collection and care, a simple coffin, transport and ashes return; attended funerals add ceremony-related costs such as venues, flowers and orders of service.
- Flexibility: Direct cremation gives freedom to design a personal farewell in your own time; attended funerals follow a set time and place.
Where it happens and how long it takes
An unattended cremation happens privately at a licensed crematorium, carried out by trained professionals. Your loved one is collected from the place of death (hospital, home or care setting), cared for in professional mortuary facilities, and transferred for cremation once the necessary forms are complete. With no service to schedule, it usually proceeds as soon as paperwork and crematorium availability allow, with ashes then returned or respectfully scattered.
What’s included (and what isn’t) in an unattended cremation
Most providers include the essentials for a dignified, simple farewell, but what’s covered varies. Check the small print so you’re clear on what’s included in the price of an unattended cremation and what may be charged as an optional extra.
- Crematorium fee and professional, respectful care.
- Collection and transport with mortuary care to the crematorium.
- Simple coffin, paperwork support and ashes return or scattering.
What usually isn’t included or may cost extra:
- Urgent/out‑of‑hours home collection.
- Medical device removal (e.g., pacemakers).
- Viewing/embalming and ceremonial extras like limousines, flowers, venue hire.
- Larger coffins/bariatric transport, premium urns, hand‑delivery.
- Doctor’s/medical examiner fees (provider/region dependent).
How an unattended cremation works, step by step
An unattended cremation is designed to be simple and stress-free. Everything happens privately, with clear communication at each stage, so you can focus on your family now and plan a personal memorial later. Here’s what typically happens from first call to receiving the ashes.
- You contact a provider, share essential details, and they guide you through the necessary forms and permissions.
- Your loved one is collected from the place of death and taken into professional care.
- They are respectfully washed and prepared, clearly identified, and placed in a simple coffin.
- The cremation is scheduled and carried out privately at a licensed crematorium by trained staff.
- You’re notified once complete, and the ashes are placed in a simple container.
- Ashes are either returned to you (often by arranged delivery or collection) or scattered in the crematorium’s garden of remembrance, after which you can hold a memorial in your own time.
How much does an unattended cremation cost in the UK?
Most families pay between £1,095 and £1,647 for an unattended cremation in the UK, depending on provider and location. That’s significantly lower than a traditional funeral, which often exceeds £4,000. A direct cremation price typically includes the cremation fee, professional care, paperwork support, a simple coffin, transport, and either ashes return or scattering — but inclusions vary, so check the small print.
- Common extras: urgent or out‑of‑hours home collection, larger coffins/bariatric transport, removal of medical devices.
- Regional factors: crematorium fees and transport distances can affect the total.
- Paperwork/ashes: doctor’s or medical examiner fees (where applicable) and hand‑delivery of ashes may be charged separately.
When an unattended cremation is the right choice
An unattended cremation (direct cremation) is often the right choice when you want simplicity, lower costs and the freedom to say goodbye in your own time. It suits families who prefer privacy over formality, or where practicalities make arranging a traditional funeral difficult.
- Cost-conscious: a dignified, low-cost alternative.
- Personalisation: memorial later, your way.
- Distance/timing: family is spread out or needs time.
- Non-religious/no‑fuss wishes: no formal ceremony.
Benefits and drawbacks to weigh up
Like any choice, an unattended cremation has trade‑offs. Many families value the simplicity, savings and freedom to hold a personal memorial later; others find comfort in a shared ceremony soon after a death. Weigh what matters most to your loved one and to those who will be grieving.
- Benefits: lower cost than a traditional funeral.
- Benefits: freedom to plan a memorial later, your way.
- Benefits: fewer logistics and less time pressure.
- Benefits: private, low‑fuss, often suits non‑religious wishes.
- Drawbacks: no service or viewing at the crematorium.
- Drawbacks: some miss the ritual and shared farewell.
- Drawbacks: certain religious or cultural rites may not fit.
- Drawbacks: risk of family disagreement if wishes are unclear.
Paperwork and legal requirements in England, Scotland and Wales
Before a crematorium can proceed with an unattended cremation, certain approvals and documents must be in place. The process is broadly similar across England, Scotland and Wales, though names of forms and authorities can differ. Your direct cremation provider will guide you, coordinate with doctors and the crematorium, and keep you updated on timings.
- Medical certification: A doctor provides the certification needed for cremation to go ahead; in some cases there may be doctor’s fees.
- Applicant’s authority: The person arranging the funeral authorises the cremation and sets out instructions for the ashes in writing.
- Coroner/official involvement: If a death is referred to the coroner or relevant authority, cremation cannot proceed until clearance is given.
- Identification and tracking: The deceased is clearly identified (for example with a physical tag) and tracked throughout to ensure correct handling.
- Implanted medical devices: Any devices (e.g., pacemakers) are declared and removed where required for safety, which can attract an additional fee.
While requirements are consistent in principle across the three nations, providers handle the exact forms and approvals for you and will advise if any extra steps or costs apply in your case.
Ashes options: return, delivery or scattering
After an unattended cremation, you decide what happens to the ashes. Providers usually place them in a simple container and offer: hand‑delivery to your home, collection by appointment, or respectful scattering in the crematorium’s garden of remembrance. You can later transfer them into a keepsake or designer urn (often an extra). Your instructions are recorded in writing.
Ideas to plan a personal memorial or celebration of life
After a direct, unattended cremation you can take your time and create a farewell that reflects personality, values and budget. Choose a date that works for everyone, involve meaningful music, readings and keepsakes, and, if you wish, include the ashes. Here are simple, heartfelt ideas families often find comforting.
- Garden gathering: photos, favourite food and shared stories.
- Beach or beauty spot: sunrise/sunset, scatter with permission.
- Private room at a pub: playlist, eulogies, memory table.
- Remembrance walk: visit a cherished place, plant a tree.
- At‑home vigil: candles, readings and a memory box.
- Online memorial: collect tributes and livestream for distant friends.
Questions to ask before choosing a provider
Choosing the right provider affects cost, care and communication. Use these questions to compare like‑for‑like, spot hidden extras and understand how an unattended cremation will run.
- Specialise in direct cremation?
- What’s included — doctor’s fees and ashes return?
- Who provides care and transport, and where are mortuary facilities?
- Coverage area and availability (24/7 collections)?
- Timelines — when will the cremation happen, and how will you update us?
- Common extras and costs (urgent collection, devices, larger coffin, hand‑delivery)?
- Reviews and transparency — can we see recent families’ feedback?
- How are coroner cases or special circumstances handled?
Extras and special circumstances (urgent collection, devices, larger coffins, coroner)
Most unattended cremations are simple, but some situations need extra steps, can affect timing, and may add reasonable fees. Your provider should explain these upfront and confirm them in writing, so you know exactly what to expect before you proceed.
- Urgent/out‑of‑hours home collection (24/7) — often an extra.
- Implanted devices (pacemakers) — removed for safety; may attract a fee.
- Larger coffins/bariatric transport — extra equipment and cost.
- Ashes upgrades — hand‑delivery or designer urns.
- Coroner, organ donation or overseas death — cremation waits for official clearance and timings may vary.
Environmental considerations of direct cremation
Direct cremation generally has a lighter footprint than a traditional funeral: no hearse or limousines, no venue hire or large floral displays, and no burial plot. Cremation does use energy and produces emissions, so choose a simple, eco‑friendly coffin, avoid embalming and extras you don’t need, keep transport distances low, and consider scattering in a garden of remembrance or making a memorial donation instead of flowers.
How to arrange a direct cremation today
If you need to arrange a direct cremation now, it’s simple to start and can be done in minutes. A specialist will guide you through the forms, organise a 24/7 collection, and keep you updated right through to ashes return or respectful scattering.
- Gather essentials: full name, place/date of death, GP details, applicant authority, implants (e.g., pacemaker), and ashes preference.
- Choose a provider: get an itemised quote, inclusions, likely extras, and timelines in writing.
- Complete paperwork: authorisations and medical certification; share documents electronically if possible.
- Arrange collection: from hospital, home or care setting to professional mortuary facilities.
- Cremation booking: provider schedules the unattended cremation and confirms the date.
- Aftercare: you’re notified; choose hand‑delivery/collection of ashes or garden‑of‑remembrance scattering.
- Memorial: plan a personal farewell in your own time.
Final thoughts
An unattended cremation offers a dignified, low‑fuss farewell that keeps costs down and gives you the freedom to plan a personal memorial in your own time. If you’re considering this route or need to arrange one now, we’re here 24/7 to guide you, handle the paperwork and care for your loved one with respect. For clear pricing, plain‑English advice and nationwide support, talk to Go Direct Cremations.