An Honest & Complete Distinct Cremations Review
Our Distinct Cremation Direct Cremation Review
As part of our commitment to helping families understand their choices, we have thoroughly researched the Direct Cremation market, providing in-depth reviews of direct cremation services This detailed Distinct Direct Cremations review will help you understand if the Distinct service is the right company for you and your lost one.
[urns_table rows=”Headline Price=5,Inclusivity=3,Flexibility=4,Speed of Service=4,Customer Satisfaction=5,Overall=4.25″ width=”100″ name=”duncan” body=”Distinct Cremations succeeds in combining a low cost, flexible service with excellent customer satisfaction.”]
Distinct Cremation Overview
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Low cost – Distinct Cremations succeeds in combining a low cost, flexible service with excellent customer satisfaction.
From £895 – Their unattended, Direct Cremation Service is available for the headline price of £895, with all of the essential services from collection of the deceased through to delivery of the ashes included.
Additional services such as doctors’ fees, priority collection of the deceased and the removal of jewellery are available as optional extras. Compared to more inclusive providers, this means that you won’t pay for a service you either do not wish to have or do not end up using.
Quick service – Distinct Cremations offers an unvarnished, veneer chipboard coffin with each of their cremations. Delivery of the ashes to your chosen address will be within fourteen days. This timescale, inclusive of the price, is much quicker than that offered by most other providers.
UK Wide Service – Offering their services across the mainland UK, a Distinct cremation will be carried out at one of thirty-six venues operated by their parent company, the Westerleigh Group. While you will not be able to choose which crematorium is used, they will endeavour to use the facility that is closest to you should you opt for an unattended service.
Attendees – For an additional fee, up to eight mourners may attend the cremation at a Westerleigh crematorium of your choice. It’s worth bearing in mind that this option is not available with many other direct cremation providers.
Funeral Plan – In addition, Distinct Cremations offers a pre-payment plan for each of their unattended and attended direct cremation services. Open to anyone over the age of 18, the plan may be paid either in full, or the cost may be spread over twelve monthly instalments. Additionally, if you are aged between 50 and 74, you may opt to pay in monthly instalments for five or ten years for an extra, age-dependent charge.
Customer Satisfaction – Distinct Cremations has achieved a very high rate 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.
Distinct Crematorium Locations
Distinct Cremations are owed by the Westerleigh group. A list of the Westerleigh crematoriums can be found on their website.
Distinct Direct Cremation Cost
What’s Included in the £895 Direct Cremation Funeral Price?
Distinct Cremations will provide the following services in their 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
*Attendance of the cremation is offered as part of a separately listed Private Cremation Service. The additional charge shown is the price differential between the unattended Direct Cremation and the attended Private Cremation.
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR CREMATION SERVICE
1. Following the cremation, the ashes will be delivered within fourteen days. This is quicker than the service offered by most other providers, but you will need to bear this timescale in mind if you wish to have the ashes present at a separate memorial service of your choosing.
2. Distinct Cremation offers an option to attend the cremation as part of a separately listed Private Cremation Service. Up to eight mourners may attend for a moment of quiet reflection at a ten-minute, early morning service held at a partner crematorium of your choosing. Music of your choice may be played while Distinct offers also a number of visual tributes which are available for additional prices.
3. The ashes will be returned in a simple, cardboard urn, but you may opt for a wooden urn for an additional £50.
4. Unless you hold a Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan, payment for the service will be taken in full by debit or credit card at the time of the arrangement. There is no credit option or payment plan available. This is in line with the service offered by most other providers.
Distinct Cremation Direct Cremations Vs Pure Cremation
Here’s how a Distinct Direct Cremation service compares to direct cremations offered by a selection of other providers. This table refers to the unattended Direct Cremation Service with the attended service listed as an optional extra
| Service | |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| List Price | £895 | £1,295 | £795 | £995 |
| Coverage | Great Britain | UK | Great Britain | Great Britain |
| Hospital or Public Mortuary Collection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Residential Address or Care Home Collection | +£200 | +£250 | +£250 | +£250 |
| Out-of-Hours Collection | +£250 | +£250 | +£250 | +£195 |
| Doctors’ Fees | +£82 | Yes | +£82 | Yes |
| Dress for the Deceased | Clothing at time of collection | Clothing at time of collection | Simple Gown | Simple Gown |
| Option for Own Clothes | Yes | Yes | +£50 | No |
| Removal of Medical Devices | Yes | Yes | Yes | Additional Cost Subject to Details |
| Removal of Jewellery | +£50 | Yes | No | No |
| Coffin | Unvarnished Veneer Chipboard | Solid Wood | Medium Density Fibreboard | Dark Wood Effect |
| Max. time between Collection and Cremation | Unspecified | 14 Days | Unspecified | Within a Few Days |
| Option to Attend | +£400 | +£250-£400 | No | +£400-£900 |
| Option to be Informed of Cremation Date | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Choice of Crematorium | Attended Only | No | +Customised Fee | Attended Only |
| Delivery of Ashes | Yes | Yes | +£100 | +£75 |
| Max. Time for Ashes Delivery following Cremation | 14 Days | 21 Days | >28 Days | 28 Days |
Closest Competitor Service
Below we have listed the closest comparable product to the direct cremation service offered by Distinct Direct Cremation
| Competitor | Simplicity Cremations |
| Service | Very similar package of services with a few variations in terms of inclusion. e.g. Simplicity charges extra for ashes delivery, Distinct it’s inclusive; Simplicity includes doctors fee, Distinct does not |
| Difference | CMG (Simplicity) and Westerleigh Group (Distinct) have approximately the same number of crematoriums dotted around the country |
| Review | Read our Simplicity Cremations Review |
Distinct Direct Cremation Funeral Plans
In addition to an, ‘at need’ direct cremation service, Distinct Cremations offers a direct cremation funeral plan, which is suitable for those that are planning ahead
[urns_table rows=”Headline Price=5,Safety=4,Payment Flexibility=3,Guaranteed Coverage=4,Customer Satisfaction=5,Overall=4.25″ width=”100″ name=”Duncan” body=”Distinct Cremations has earned 4.9 out of a possible 5.0 star rating on Feefo, with not a single significantly dissatisfied review recorded. In addition, each of the two funeral plans (Direct and Intimate) has been awarded 5 out of 5 stars by industry professionals at Fairer Finance.”]
Option 1. Direct Cremation Plan
An unattended direct cremation with the added services below
Option 2. Intimate Cremation Plan
All the features of option 1, but with a small 10 minute service with up to eight people.
Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan Cost
How Much Will I Pay?
Pricelist for Lump Sum and Twelve Monthly Instalment Payments
| Number of Instalments | Direct Cremation Plan | Intimate Cremation Plan | ||
| Per Month | TOTAL | Per Month | TOTAL | |
| Single Payment | – | £1,499.00 | – | £1,799.00 |
| 12 | £124.91 | £1,498.92 | £149.91 | £1,798.92 |
Pricelist for Five and Ten Year Monthly Instalment Payments
| Age at Purchase | Five Year Plan | Ten Year Plan | ||||||
| Direct Cremation Plan | Intimate Cremation Plan | Direct Cremation Plan | Intimate Cremation Plan | |||||
| Per Month | TOTAL | Per Month | TOTAL | Per Month | TOTAL | Per Month | TOTAL | |
| 50 | £29.71 | £1,782.60 | £36.65 | £2,199.00 | £17.61 | £2,113.20 | £21.47 | £2,576.40 |
| 51 | £29.72 | £1,783.20 | £36.66 | £2,199.60 | £17.63 | £2,115.60 | £21.50 | £2,580.00 |
| 52 | £29.73 | £1,783.80 | £36.67 | £2,200.20 | £17.65 | £2,118.00 | £21.52 | £2,582.40 |
| 53 | £29.75 | £1,785.00 | £36.70 | £2,202.00 | £17.67 | £2,120.40 | £21.55 | £2,586.00 |
| 54 | £29.76 | £1,785.60 | £36.71 | £2,202.60 | £17.70 | £2,124.00 | £21.59 | £2,590.80 |
| 55 | £29.78 | £1,786.80 | £36.74 | £2,204.40 | £17.72 | £2,126.40 | £21.62 | £2,594.40 |
| 56 | £29.79 | £1,787.40 | £36.75 | £2,205.00 | £17.75 | £2,130.00 | £21.65 | £2,598.00 |
| 57 | £29.81 | £1,788.60 | £36.78 | £2,206.80 | £17.79 | £2,134.80 | £21.71 | £2,605.20 |
| 58 | £29.84 | £1,790.40 | £36.82 | £2,209.20 | £17.82 | £2,138.40 | £21.75 | £2,610.00 |
| 59 | £29.86 | £1,791.60 | £36.84 | £2,210.40 | £17.87 | £2,144.40 | £21.81 | £2,617.20 |
| 60 | £29.89 | £1,793.40 | £36.88 | £2,212.80 | £17.91 | £2,149.20 | £21.86 | £2,623.20 |
| 61 | £29.92 | £1,795.20 | £36.92 | £2,215.20 | £17.96 | £2,155.20 | £21.93 | £2,631.60 |
| 62 | £29.95 | £1,797.00 | £36.96 | £2,217.60 | £18.02 | £2,162.40 | £22.01 | £2,641.20 |
| 63 | £29.99 | £1,799.40 | £37.01 | £2,220.60 | £18.09 | £2,170.80 | £22.10 | £2,652.00 |
| 64 | £30.03 | £1,801.80 | £37.06 | £2,223.60 | £18.16 | £2,179.20 | £22.19 | £2,662.80 |
| 65 | £30.08 | £1,804.80 | £37.13 | £2,227.80 | £18.25 | £2,190.00 | £22.30 | £2,676.00 |
| 66 | £30.13 | £1,807.80 | £37.19 | £2,231.40 | £18.34 | £2,200.80 | £22.42 | £2,690.40 |
| 67 | £30.19 | £1,811.40 | £37.27 | £2,236.20 | £18.45 | £2,214.00 | £22.56 | £2,707.20 |
| 68 | £30.26 | £1,815.60 | £37.36 | £2,241.60 | £18.57 | £2,228.40 | £22.72 | £2,726.40 |
| 69 | £30.33 | £1,819.80 | £37.45 | £2,247.00 | £18.71 | £2,245.20 | £22.90 | £2,748.00 |
| 70 | £30.42 | £1,825.20 | £37.57 | £2,254.20 | £18.87 | £2,264.40 | £23.11 | £2,773.20 |
| 71 | £30.52 | £1,831.20 | £37.70 | £2,262.00 | £19.06 | £2,287.20 | £23.36 | £2,803.20 |
| 72 | £30.63 | £1,837.80 | £37.84 | £2,270.40 | £19.27 | £2,312.40 | £23.63 | £2,835.60 |
| 73 | £30.76 | £1,845.60 | £38.01 | £2,280.60 | £19.53 | £2,343.60 | £23.97 | £2,876.40 |
| 74 | £30.91 | £1,854.60 | £38.21 | £2,292.60 | £19.83 | £2,379.60 | £24.36 | £2,923.20 |
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR CREMATION PLAN
1. If paying in full, redemption for the plan benefits is available if the beneficiary dies at any time – there is no waiting period or restriction.
2. If paying over twelve monthly instalments, redemption for the plan benefits is available after the plan is paid in full. If death occurs before the plan is paid for in full, the estate of the deceased has the option of paying the balance of the funds outstanding before claiming the benefits.
3. If paying in monthly instalments over five or ten years, redemption is available after the first twelve months of payments. Redemption is available within the first twelve months if death of the beneficiary is accidental. If death is not accidental within this timeframe, the estate of the deceased has the option of paying the difference for the cost of a direct cremation, or requesting a full refund.
4. If paying in full or over twelve monthly instalments, you have the right to cancel the plan free of charge at any time for a full refund – there is no cancellation fee.
5. If paying in monthly instalments over five or ten years you have the right to cancel the plan free of charge for a full refund within the first twelve months. If you cancel the plan after twelve months, you will receive no refund.
6. If paying in full or over twelve monthly instalments, you may choose to either upgrade or downgrade between the Direct Cremation Plan and the Intimate Cremation Plan. This option is not available if you are paying over five or ten years.
7. The plan benefits are not transferable to another beneficiary, although somebody else may pay for the plan costs.
8. There is no requirement to disclose medical conditions, but the application form prompts you to acknowledge that the beneficiary is not receiving end of life care. Purchase of a prepayment plan in this instance is unlikely to be financially beneficial compared to purchasing a funeral at the time of need.
Distinct Cremation Funeral Plan Vs Other Providers
Here’s how the payment options for the Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan compare to similar direct cremation funeral plans offered by a selection of other providers. The table refers to the unattended, Direct Cremation Plan only.
Please note that not all plans may offer precisely the same benefits.
| SERVICE | | |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service | Distinct Cremations | Pure Cremation | Golden Charter | Celebration of Life |
| Upfront Price | £1,499.00 | £1,795.00 | £1,749.00 | £1,450.00 |
| Deposit | Optional | No | £49.00 | Optional |
| Minimum Age | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| 6 Month Payment Plan | – | £1,794.96 | – | – |
| 1 Year Payment Plan | £1,498.92 | £1,866.84 | £1,749.00** | £1,519.56 |
| 2 Year Payment Plan | – | £1,941.36 | £1,843.00** | £1,589.28 |
| 3 Year Payment Plan | – | £2,019.24 | £1,894.72** | £1,658.88 |
| 4 Year Payment Plan | – | £2,100.00 | £1,946.44** | £1,728.00 |
| 5 Year Payment Plan | £1.782.60* | £2,184.00 | £1,999.00** | £1,798.20 |
| 6 Year Payment Plan | – | – | £2,053.48** | – |
| 7 Year Payment Plan | – | – | £2,108.68** | – |
| 8 Year Payment Plan | – | – | £2,164.84** | – |
| 9 Year Payment Plan | – | – | £2,224.12** | – |
| 10 Year Payment Plan | £2,113.20* | – | £2,283.40** | – |
| Lowest Monthly Payment Option | £17.61* | £36.40 | £18.62** | £29.97 |
| Upper Age Limit for Payment Plan | 74 if paying over 5 or 10 years | None | 78 at time of purchase, or 80 at time of completion | 80 at time of completion if paying over more than 2 years |
| Credit Finance Option | No | No | No | No |
| Full Coverage | After full payment or after the first 12 months of instalments*** | After full payment or 24 months following purchase*** | After full payment or 12 months following purchase*** | After full payment or 24 months following purchase*** |
| Free Cancellation Period | If paying in full or over 12 months, no restriction. If paying over 5 or 10 years, within the first 12 months. | 30 days following purchase | 30 days following purchase | 60 days following purchase |
| Cancellation Fee | No refund for plans paid over 5 or 10 year if cancelled after 12 months | £350.00 | £249.00 | £350.00 |
| Fund Type | Investment Trust & Whole of Life Assurance Policies | Investment Trust | Investment Trust | Investment Trust |
*Open to plan holders aged between 50 and 74 only. The price stated is accurate for a plan beneficiary aged 50 at the time of purchase.
**Prices vary by age. The price stated is accurate for a plan beneficiary aged 50 at the time of purchase.
***May be conditional upon maintaining an up to date payment schedule.
Compare the best prepaid direct cremation plans in the UK
Distinct Cremations Customer Reviews
Below are the awards, customer reviews and our opinion of the Distinct Cremation offering
Distinct Cremations has earned 4.9 out of a possible 5.0 star rating on Feefo, with not a single significantly dissatisfied review recorded. In addition, each of the two funeral plans (Direct and Intimate) has been awarded 5 out of 5 stars by industry professionals at Fairer Finance.
These reviews are especially valuable in the case of Distinct Cremations. 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.
Distinct Cremations seems to be demonstrating that affordability is wholly compatible with excellent customer service.
A Distinct Direct Cremation may be a suitable option if:
On the other hand, Distinct Cremations may be less suitable if:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Distinct Cremations Have a Paper Brochure Available?
For Distinct Cremation Funeral Plans you have the option of downloading a paper brochure in PDF format, or you can order one for delivery by post. This will be necessary if you wish to apply by post, as the brochure contains the application form.
In addition, they have published a Guide to Arranging a Funeral available in the same formats.
Beware, however, that the company will ask you to leave contact information prior to ordering either document. This may prompt further marketing contact by phone, post or email, but you should be able to opt out at any time.
How do I Purchase a Distinct Direct Cremation Funeral?
A direct cremation funeral can be purchased by phone following the death of the deceased.
How do I Purchase a Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan?
Either of the two plan options may be purchased online, by phone or by post.
If purchasing by post, you will need to either download or request delivery of the paper brochure.
What Type of Coffin does Distinct Cremations provide?
An unvarnished, veneer chipboard coffin is supplied with all Distinct Cremations services.
What Happens to Medical Devices and Jewellery?
Removal of medical devices is included in the cost of caring for the deceased. Removal of jewellery and other valuables is available for an extra £50.
Can I Choose where the Cremation Takes Place?
If you opt for an unattended cremation, you will have no choice over the crematorium, but Distinct will endeavour to ensure that their selection is as near as possible.
If you opt for an attended cremation you may select one of Distinct’s partner crematoria to hold the funeral service. This will be one of thirty-six venues around the UK operated by the Westerleigh Group.
Will Distinct Tell me the Date of Cremation?
You have the option to be informed of the date of cremation if you are purchasing the unattended, Direct Cremation funeral.
How Can I Pay for My Funeral or for My Plan?
Payment for a Distinct Cremations Direct Cremation Funeral will be taken by debit or credit card over the phone at the time of the arrangement.
Full payment for a Distinct Cremations Plan can be made by debit or credit card, or by cheque. If you wish to pay by card with an application by post, Distinct will call you upon receipt of the application to take the payment over the phone.
Please note that Distinct Cremations requires payment in full before a cremation is carried out.
Instalment payments contributing towards payment of the funeral plans will be made by Direct Debit. Note that Distinct Cremations reserves the right to cancel a plan if you are unable to honour two consecutive monthly payments.
Can I Pay off my Instalment Plan Early?
Distinct Cremations will accept early settlement if you are paying by instalment towards a funeral plan.
If you are paying in full or over twelve months you may also upgrade or downgrade your plan between the unattended, Direct Cremation Plan, and the attended, Intimate Cremation Plan. This option is not available if paying over five or ten years.
Are Special Offers or Distinct Discounts Available?
Distinct Cremations 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 seeking help with funeral costs.
Will I Receive Documentation?
If you are purchasing a Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan, you will receive your customer pack within five working days containing all of the following documentation:
- A welcome letter.
- A summary of benefits and exclusions.
- A record for your wishes and special requests.
- A plan schedule confirming your plan number, payment terms and method.
- A copy of the terms and conditions.
Who Should I Tell About My Plan?
When you apply for a Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan, they will ask you to nominate a representative whom they can contact to inform them of the plan’s existence.
However, we suggest that you inform all of your closest loved ones that you have purchased the plan, and how they can obtain the documentation to make a claim.
Remember also to update Distinct Cremations with any changes of your address or contact details after you have purchased a plan.
How will My Loved Ones Claim the Plan Benefits?
Following your death, your nominated representative or another family member will need to contact Distinct Cremations to claim the plan benefits on your behalf.
Full guidance should be outlined in your customer pack. However, at minimum, your representative will need to present Distinct Cremations with a copy of your death certificate so they are able to authorise transfer of the funds to pay for your funeral.
What happens if Distinct Cremations goes Bust?
Distinct Funeral Plans Ltd. is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
If you purchase a funeral plan while opting to pay in full or over twelve months your money will be divided into two:
£600* is paid to Distinct Cremations to cover the immediate expenses of administering your funeral plan. A breakdown of these costs is available in the plan terms and conditions.
£899* is invested in the Distinct Funeral Plans Trust, overseen by independent trustees with investment decisions managed by UBS. Distinct Cremations cannot access the funds in the trust except to provide you with a funeral, or to give you a refund if you request one. A copy of the fund’s annual solvency assessment is available on request.
If you purchase a funeral plan while opting to pay over five years the first twelve instalments will be paid to Distinct Cremations as commission from the insurer. For all later instalments, Distinct will retain £5.60 from each instalment to cover the immediate expenses of administering your funeral plan.
If you purchase a funeral plan while opting to pay over ten years the first twenty-four instalments will be paid to Distinct Cremations as commission from the insurer. For all later instalments, Distinct will retain £3.75 from each instalment to cover the immediate expenses of administering your funeral plan.
All remaining funds paid towards either the five or ten year plan are invested in whole of life assurance policies with Scottish Friendly. Scottish Friendly is also regulated by the FCA, while funds invested with them should enjoy the protection of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
In the event that Distinct Cremations ceases trading, either the trust or Scottish Friendly will seek to work with other providers to offer you the plan benefits. It’s possible, however, that you may need to pay a little extra if the services of another provider are engaged.
*For the Intimate Cremation Plan, these sums are £650 and £1,149 respectively.
How do I Make Enquiries?
Enquiries can be made by email or by phone.
A Direct Cremation Funeral can be arranged twenty-four hours, seven days a week on their free-phone number: 0808 296 1305.
For general enquiries and the purchasing of funeral plans, they can be reached on 0808 296 1126.
Their email address is info@distinctcremations.co.uk.
The company also has a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, but it’s not clear if these accounts are monitored for the purpose of making enquiries.
Are there any Hidden Costs?
Distinct Cremations Direct Cremation Funeral Service should cover most of the essentials. However, extra provision will have to be made for contingencies such as out of hours collection of the deceased, doctors’ fees and the removal of jewellery.
For their funeral plans, unforeseen changes in taxes and regulations enacted between the date the plan is purchased and the death of the beneficiary may require Distinct Cremations to levy additional charges. However, this is a standard term of funeral plans offered by most other providers.
Can I Transfer Arrangements to/from another Provider?
Distinct cremations will not accept the transfer of funeral plan funds from other providers.
Transfer of a plan held with Distinct to another provider will require cancellation of the plan.
Are they Eco-Friendly?
Distinct Cremations’ parent, the Westerleigh Group, publishes information on the environmental impact of their network of crematoria.
According to a press release, Westerleigh was the first cremation authority in the UK to officially adopt the new Environmental Policy Statement introduced by the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA) in 2021.
Who Owns Distinct Cremations?
Distinct Cremations Ltd. and Distinct Funeral Plans Ltd. are subsidiaries of the Westerleigh Group, which operates a network of thirty-six crematoria throughout the UK. The largest ultimate parent is Western Topco Ltd., a company registered in St Helier, Jersey.
A cremation arranged with Distinct will take place in a Westerleigh operated crematorium, meaning that every stage of the funeral process is looked after by the group’s own staff.