Direct Cremation and Funeral Plans with Sunrise Cremations

In recent years, more people are opting for a personal approach to their final arrangements, choosing direct cremation over traditional funeral and burial services. Direct cremation is a simpler process where the deceased is taken directly from the place of death to the crematorium without a viewing or funeral service.

Cremation: The Preferred Choice in the UK

Cremation has become the most popular choice for final farewells in the UK. Although it was legalized in 1902, the first recorded cremation took place in 1885 in Woking. According to the 2017 SunLife Cost of Dying Report, 75% of funerals were cremations, with 3% of those being direct cremations. This trend indicates a shift in consumer preferences.

The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) estimates that direct cremations and burials without ceremonies make up 3% of the over half a million annual deaths in Britain.

Understanding Direct Cremation

Direct cremation is characterized by its simplicity and lack of traditional funeral elements:

• No viewing in the chapel of rest
• No funeral service at the crematorium, no mourners, flowers, cars, readings, or eulogies
• No embalming required, as cremation occurs soon after death
• No need for an expensive coffin

Sunrise Cremations chooses the time and place of the cremation, often without family or friends present.

Many people find traditional funerals distressing and prefer to remember their loved ones in a more personalized way. Direct cremation offers the freedom to plan a memorial service at a convenient time and place, separating the memory from the sorrow of passing.

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Why Choose Direct Cremation?

Cost is a significant factor. Direct cremation typically costs under £2,000, much less than the average funeral, which exceeds £4,500 according to SunLife’s latest ‘Cost of Dying’ report.

For others, it’s about simplicity and personal choice. Notable individuals like author Anita Brookner and singer David Bowie chose cremation without a funeral service, highlighting a preference for a fuss-free farewell.

At Sunrise Cremations, we believe everyone should have the option to choose their final farewell. We have teamed up with Golden Charter to provide a Basic Plan which starts at £19.25 per month or a one-time payment of £1,950, offering professional services, cremation arrangements, and care of the deceased.