Cremation is the most common funeral choice for the people of Britain. Since the late 1960s, more than half of the funerals conducted in the country have involved cremation, and now cremations account for almost 80% of UK funerals.
While the general move towards cremation has been a slow process, there has been a significant rise in the number of direct cremations, with the total jumping from 3% in 2019 to 20% in 2023 according to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024.
Where a traditional cremation includes a service at the crematorium or at a place of worship beforehand, a direct or simple cremation has no service. Instead, the deceased is taken directly to be cremated with no one in attendance unless witnesses ask to be present. A simple coffin is used and the timing of the cremation is determined by the funeral director, usually according to availability at local crematoria.
Social and economic trends
Several social and economic trends have led to the rise in the number of direct cremations. The coronavirus pandemic accounted for the huge increase in direct cremations through 2020 and 2021. Throughout the COVID pandemic, direct cremation was the most practical option for families faced with severe restrictions on funeral attendance. Almost 25% of families chose a direct cremation rather than a traditional funeral between February 2020 and July 2021*.
However, even before the pandemic, a rising trend towards direct cremation emerged, driven by an increase in individuals seeking less costly funeral options.
Traditional funeral services, including a viewing of the deceased and a funeral service, incur significantly greater expense than a simple cremation. The average cost of a basic funeral in 2023 was reported at £4,141 in the SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024.
With no money spent on extras like cars, flowers or an order of service, the average cost of a direct cremation in 2023 was £1,498, more than £2,600 less than the average cost of a basic funeral in the same period.
Beyond costs, 39% of survey respondents told SunLife that they had arranged a direct cremation because it was requested by their loved one; 30% said it was because a direct cremation was simpler to organise; and 27% because it was quicker.
Changing Attitudes
In the recent past, direct cremation was not widely available or requested. However, a number of celebrities choosing direct cremation and the necessities of COVID have led to much greater awareness. More than three quarters of people in the UK are now aware of direct cremation, an increase of 24% since 2019 according to SunLife and, with increased demand, the majority of funeral directors now offer direct cremation as one of their standard services.
This wider availability is perhaps a symptom of a more general change in UK attitudes to funerals that has seen the adoption of a less traditional, more individual approach to services and ceremonies.
Of those SunLife survey respondents that had organised a direct cremation, 33% said they held a wake afterwards; 27% held a memorial service; and 18% held both.
In a recent study, sociologists at the University of Bath’s Centre for Death and Society found that there are more than financial benefits driving the trend towards direct cremations. Dr Kate Woodthorpe explained that people want to bring their individual preferences to funerals and are less willing to conform to social norms.
“People who do things differently report feeling in control of their grieving,” she said. “By running a commemorative service separate to the day of the body’s cremation, they get to decide who attends.”
Environmental Concerns
The trend for direct cremation in the UK is also being driven by increased environmental concerns. Although cremation is not generally considered to be any more environmentally friendly than burial, direct cremation is seen as a more sustainable option as it involves fewer people and services. This makes it a more attractive option for individuals who want a cremation but are concerned about the environmental impact of their funeral choices.
A combination of factors is driving demand for direct cremation, including cost, convenience, changing attitudes towards funerals, and environmental concerns. As this trend continues, it is likely that more and more people will choose direct cremation as a simple and affordable option for their end-of-life plan.
Direct cremation may not be for everyone, but for people who want to avoid the organisation or expense associated with a traditional funeral, here are five reasons to consider a direct cremation plan with Golden Charter:
- Lower cost funeral without compromising on the professional services of a local funeral director
- A funeral plan helps to get peace of mind for yourself and assists your family financially during this difficult time
- Your loved ones will be free to plan a memorial service at a later date if they wish
- Make sure your funeral is planned your way. Without instructions, most families may opt for a more expensive traditional funeral service
- Money saved by not having a funeral ceremony could be spent on a memorial service, wake or charity donation
