No-frills cremations have grown in popularity in recent years, with Covid restrictions and financial pressures accelerating a huge shift in attitudes towards funerals, experts claim.
A survey commissioned by Low Cost Funeral by Memoria found that 22 percent of the 1,000 respondents would choose direct cremation.
Howard Hodgson, fourth generation undertaker and managing director of Low Cost Funeral by Memoria, said, “Attitudes towards funerals have changed dramatically in recent years. These changes were not caused by the pandemic, but they were certainly accelerated by it.
“We find that today, more than anything, people want a variety of choices. If they want a hearse, limousines, pallbearers, and traditional service, that’s perfectly fine, but the public no longer wants a universal one-size-fits-all approach. “
A direct cremation means that there is no service or ceremony and no mourners are present. Instead, family and friends can honor the deceased in a different place or time, for example by scattering the ashes in a special place or holding a memorial service on a different day.
Direct cremations cost around £ 1,000 – much less than a more traditional burial.
Celebrating life events, which are personalized supervised services but without the traditional trappings, is also growing in popularity.
However, Mr. Hodgson said people should speak to their families about their wishes.
He said, “The subject of death is still a taboo, so you may find that someone planned their own funeral and chose direct cremation but did not inform their family beforehand. You made this choice with the best of intentions. They want to save their children money.
“However, when the time comes, the family is appalled because they want to hold a church service. Only when you talk about your funeral provisions can you ensure that your wishes are respected and that your family is happy too. “