An Honest and Detailed DirectCremation.co.uk Review
If you are keen to receive a first class, personal service while keeping an eye on your budget, then DirectCremation.co.uk may be your top choice.
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DirectCremation.co.uk Overview
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Simple & Affordable – DirectCremation.co.uk is a relatively new funeral provider, established in 2016 by funeral director Steven Cains with the aim of delivering simpler, more affordable funeral options.
Specialist Provider – Unlike many other arrangers which offer a number of traditional funeral services DirectCremation.co.uk specialises in direct cremation.
Low Cost – A number of optional extras are available, but the low, headline fee of £895 will cover most of the essentials required to carry out a direct cremation service.
Eco Friendly – For each of their funerals, DirectCremation.co.uk offers a simple environmentally-friendly wooden coffin. Delivery of the ashes in a sustainably-sourced, British-made wooden urn, and an engraved nameplate can be arranged for an additional price. Alternatively, you can opt to have the ashes scattered in the garden of remembrance at no extra cost.
All in-house – Even though they are a relatively small provider, DirectCremation.co.uk does not outsource any part of the funeral services included in its headline price to independent contractors. You may well deal with the owner directly when calling to book your service.
Fair Pay & NHS support – In addition to their promise to pay a living wage to all of their staff, DirectCremation.co.uk has pledged to donate 10% of their profits to funding scholarships for NHS doctors and nurses.
Customer Satisfaction – DirectCremation.co.uk has a very high degree of customer satisfaction, suggesting that a commitment to offering care and compassion doesn’t go out of the window when opting for simplicity and affordability.
DirectCremation.co.uk Cost
What’s Included in the £895 Direct Cremation Funeral?
DirectCremation.co.uk will provide the following services in their single, direct cremation funeral. Everything is included in the headline price, except for the optional extras for which there will be an additional, specified charge:
Paid Extras Include
**The additional cost will be dependent upon the location of the cremation and other details.
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR CREMATION SERVICE
1. DirectCremation.co.uk typically carries out the cremation within a week of bringing the deceased into their care.
Return of the ashes is then arranged at your convenience, should you select this option. We recommend that you confirm with them the timescale you can expect if you wish to have the ashes present at a separate memorial service of your choosing.
2. Directcremation.co.uk do not offer the option of an attended service
3. The ashes will be returned in a sustainably-sourced, British-made wooden urn with engraved nameplate should you select this option. It’s worth noting that most other providers will deliver ashes only in a simple container, even if there is an extra charge for this service.
4. Payment for the cremation service will be due in full within two weeks following the cremation. This is more generous than most other providers, who normally require payment to be made prior to the receipt of any service.
DirectCremation.co.uk vs Simplicity Cremation Vs Pure Cremation
Here’s how the DirectCremation.co.uk Funeral Service compares to direct cremations offered by a selection of other providers:
| SERVICE |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIST PRICE | £895 | £995 | £1,295 | £795 | £995 | £895 |
| AREA | England & Wales | GB | UK | GB | GB | GB |
| HOSPITAL/PUBLIC MORTUARY COLLECTION | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS / CARE HOME COLLECTION | £250 | £250 | £250 | £250 | yes | £200 |
| OUT-OF-HOURS COLLECTION | £250 | £195 | £250 | £250 | ? | £250 |
| DOCTORS FEE | £82 | yes | yes | £82 | £82 | £82 |
| DRESS THE DECEASED | Clothing worn by the deceased at time of collection or simple gown | Simple Gown | only clothing worn by the deceased at time of collection | Simple Gown | Simple Gown | only clothing worn by the deceased at time of collection |
| OPTION FOR OWN CLOTHES | No | No | They will drape clothes over the body but not dress them | £50 | No | yes |
| REMOVAL OF MEDICAL DEVICES | £100 | Subject to details | yes | yes | ? | yes |
| REMOVAL OF JEWELLERY | yes | no | yes | no | ? | £50 |
| COFFIN | Eco friendly wooden coffin | Dark Wood Effect | solid wood | Medium Density Fibreboard | Basic | Veneer Chipboard |
| MAX. TIME BETWEEN COLLECTION & CREMATION | Unspecified | ‘within a few days’ | 14 days | Unspecified | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| OPTION TO ATTEND | no | £400-£900 | £250-£400 | no | no | £300 |
| OPTION TO BE INFORMED OF CREMATION DATE | yes | no | Yes | yes | no | yes |
| CHOICE OF CREMATORIUM | no | attended only option | No | Fee depends on location | no | Attended option only |
| DELIVERY OF ASHES | £91 | £75 | Yes | £100 | £50 to funeral home | yes |
| MAX. TIME FOR ASHES DELIVERY AFTER CREMATION | unspecified | 28 days | 21 days | 28 days | 21 days | 14 days |
Closest Competitor Service
Below we have listed the closest comparable product to the direct cremation service offered by DirectCremation.co.uk
| Competitor | Low Cost Funerals |
| Service | Almost identical packages, with directcremation.co.uk being £100 cheaper |
| Difference | Directcremation.co.uk covers only England and Wales Affordable Funerals is part of the larger Memoria Group; DirectCremation.co.uk is an independent, small business with the founder/director often delivering the ashes personally |
| Review | Read our Low Cost Funerals Review |
DirectCremation Customer Reviews
Below are the awards, customer reviews and our opinion of the DirectCremation.co.uk offering
DirectCremation.co.uk has earned an impressive 5.0 out of a possible 5.0 stars on Google, with not a single dissatisfied review recorded.
Many of the reviews are keen to praise the exceptional service delivered by the company’s founder, which even includes his personal hand delivery of ashes to satisfied clients.
These reviews are especially valuable in the case of DirectCremation.co.uk. As they are specialists in direct cremation, you know that every single review applies to the very same service that you can expect to receive.
On the other hand, DirectCremation.co.uk may be less suitable if:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Paper Brochure Available?
DirectCremation.co.uk does not offer any paper literature for their funeral service.
How do I Purchase a Direct Cremation Funeral?
A direct cremation funeral can be arranged by phone after the death of the deceased, or you can submit an enquiry online.
What Type of Coffin does DirectCremation.co.uk provide?
An environmentally friendly, wooden coffin made by British craftsmen is supplied with a DirectCremation.co.uk funeral service.
What Happens to Medical Devices and Jewellery?
Removal and storage of items of jewellery are included in the cost of caring for the deceased. Any items will be returned with the delivery of the ashes.
The removal of medical devices will incur an additional charge.
Can I Choose where the Cremation Takes Place?
No. A cremation with DirectCremations.co.uk will take place at one of their selected crematoria around the country.
Will they Tell me the Date of Cremation?
You have the option to be told of the date of cremation if you are purchasing a direct cremation funeral.
How Can I Pay for My Funeral?
DirectCremation.co.uk requires payment in full by bank transfer within two weeks of the date of cremation. It is worth noting that this option is not offered by most other providers, who normally require payment upfront.
Are Special Offers or Discounts Available?
DirectCremation.co.uk does not appear to be running any promotional offers at this time, nor do they offer discounts to selected groups.
They have, however, published a detailed article on how you can search for help with paying for a funeral.
How do I Make Enquiries?
Enquiries can be made by email or by phone.
A Direct Cremation Funeral can be arranged on their free-phone number: 0800 133 7961.
Their email address is help@directcremation.co.uk.
The company also has a social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, but it’s not clear if these accounts are monitored for the purpose of making enquiries.
Are there any Hidden Costs?
The headline price for a DirectCremation.co.uk funeral should cover all of the essentials for a direct cremation in the UK
However, the extra provisions will have to be made for contingencies or for optional items. For instance, the removal of medical devices and delivery of the ashes will be subject to additional charges.
Helpfully, their online enquiry form will break down any additional costs for you so as to lend you visibility over the final amount you will pay.
Do DirectCremation.co.uk Offer a Prepayment Plan?
DirectCremation.co.uk is not offering any prepayment plans for sale at this time.
Are they Eco-Friendly?
DirectCremation.co.uk takes pride in their green credentials. All of their processes are 100% carbon neutral, aiming to use sustainable materials where possible. In addition:
- Each of their coffins and urns is manufactured in Britain.
- They promise to pay their staff the living wage.
- DirectCremation.co.uk are signatories of the Fair Funerals Pledge.
Who Owns DirectCremation.co.uk?
DirectCremation.co.uk is a trading name of Harbour Funerals Ltd., a small, privately owned company, founded in 2016 by funeral director Steve Cains with the aim of delivering simpler, more affordable funeral options.