Direct Cremation FAQ's
A direct cremation is a funeral without a service. The deceased person is taken into the care of the funeral director, who undertakes the cremation and returns the ashes or cremated remains to the family.
There are many reasons people opt for a direct cremation. And it’s not always about saving money. Although direct cremations are typically cheaper than a funeral with a ceremony, some families choose them because they are seen as being ‘no fuss’.
Aside from the money-saving potential, direct cremations require much less planning, as there’s no need to consider transport, floral tributes, public notices, coffin types etc. They also offer flexibility in allowing family and friends to arrange a unique tribute at a time and date that suits them.
A direct cremation isn’t for everyone and families should think carefully before making their decision. A funeral service with mourners is an important part of the grieving process for many people. If they are denied this opportunity, it could exacerbate any related mental health problems. It can also create conflict within families. Additionally, some direct cremation providers don’t allow relatives to visit their loved one before the funeral takes place, which again could cause suffering at a time of distress. There’s also the risk that a delayed gathering in memory of mum or dad gets put on hold indefinitely, as life gets in the way.
If you are considering a direct unattended cremation for yourself, it is always best to speak with your family and friends first. This will enable you to ask for their opinions and, crucially, establish whether they would want a funeral service to remember you.
Many local independent funeral directors offer direct cremation, including Cimla Funeral Home.
By choosing your local independent funeral director to arrange a direct cremation, you can be sure of several things:
Your loved one will be cared for locally in a professional grade mortuary, rather than being transported half-way across the country in a van full of bodies.
Your loved one will be cremated at a local, trusted crematorium – which will be either a local authority or privately run site, such as Westerleigh in Llanelli.
You will be able to spend precious final moments with your loved one in a chapel of rest before the cremation.
You will have an option to customise the package, for example by dressing your loved one in their own clothes or arranging a witnessed committal.
If you choose a direct cremation provided by a local funeral director, it is possible to make changes right up to the day of the funeral itself. This is why it’s always sensible to make plans for the kind of funeral you want before the time comes – involving loved ones at every step of the way.