A cremation without a service, from £1,595
More families are choosing this than used to, for different reasons — and none of them is a reason to feel awkward.
Some choose it because the person who died asked for it and didn't want any fuss. Some because the family are scattered and would rather gather properly later, in their own time. Some because it's what they can afford, which is a perfectly good reason.
It doesn't mean there's no goodbye. Plenty of families hold something of their own afterwards — at home, at a favourite place, months later when everyone can be there.
How it works, start to finish
-
Any hour, any day
You ring us
There is nothing you need to have ready. We will ask only what we need to come and collect, and answer anything you want to ask.
-
Usually the same day
We bring the person into our care
From hospital, a care home or their own home, in our own private ambulance and with our own staff.
-
In the days that follow
They are cared for at our chapel of rest
You are welcome to visit, even though there is no service. Ring the office and we will arrange a time.
-
We handle it
The paperwork is done
The medical forms and the cremation application go through us. We will tell you if there is anything only you can sign.
-
On the day
The cremation takes place
We take the person to Salisbury Crematorium in a plain foil coffin. Nobody attends, unless you have chosen the attended option — two people, at 8:30am.
-
Afterwards
The ashes come back to us
We will tell you as soon as they do, and arrange a time for you to collect them. We can also deliver, scatter or inter them for you.
-
In your own time
You decide what happens next
We hold ashes for five years, free of charge, and most families take months to decide. There is no hurry, and you can hold something of your own whenever suits.
If you'd like to be there
A direct cremation has no service and nobody attends. If that feels like a step too far, our attended direct cremation lets two people be present at the crematorium at 8:30am, for an attendance fee of £100 extra. Between that and a full funeral there is nothing else you have to buy.
What's included
- Collection from wherever the death happened — hospital, care home or home — in our own private ambulance
- Care of the person in our chapel of rest, with the option to visit
- Transfer from our chapel to Salisbury Crematorium
- A plain foil coffin
- Our professional fees
- The cremation fee
No VAT is payable on a funeral.
The ones that decide it
What's included at £1,595?
Collection in our own private ambulance from wherever the death happened, care of the person in our chapel of rest with the option to visit, transfer to Salisbury Crematorium, a plain foil coffin, our professional fees and the cremation fee. There is nothing else to pay, and no VAT on a funeral.
Can anyone attend?
Not at a direct cremation — that's what makes it direct. If you'd like to be there, choose the attended option: two people, 8:30am at the crematorium, for a £100 attendance fee extra.
Do we get the ashes back?
Yes. We'll tell you when they come back from the crematorium and arrange a time for you to collect them, or we can deliver them, scatter them or inter them for you. We hold ashes for five years, free of charge, and there is no hurry at all: most families take months to decide, and that is fine. If we have not heard from you in that time we will try to reach you at least nine times and keep a record of each attempt, and only if we have had no reply would the ashes be scattered at the crematorium once the five years are up. In practice that almost never happens. If you need longer, just tell us.
How long does it take?
Usually two to three weeks from the first phone call to the ashes coming back to you. That is a realistic average rather than a best case.
It can take longer, and most often that is because a family wants it to — if you have a date in mind, or there is a reason to wait, we will work around that rather than hurry you. If anything else holds it up, we will tell you rather than leave you wondering.
Can we still have a service afterwards?
Yes, and many families do — at home, at a favourite place, or weeks later when everyone can be there. Choosing direct cremation doesn't mean choosing no goodbye.
Why is it so much cheaper?
Because it's simpler. There's no service to arrange, no hearse and limousines on the day, no staff standing by, and no coffin chosen for how it looks. Nothing about the care is different.