Direct cremation / Unattended cremation

Direct cremation is a term that is becoming more popular.  It is an option many are choosing due to the cost effectiveness of this particular process.

In essence, a Direct Cremation is where cremation of the deceased takes place and no service is held.  This is also called an Unattended Cremation.

There are many national companies that facilitate this choice, and you may also find that most (if not all) funeral directors in your locality will offer this option. It may be chosen as a more cost effective alternative to a full funeral service as no flowers, ceremonial vehicles or pall bearers are required and there is usually no option to view a loved one in a chapel of rest, all of which reduces the overall costs.

A Direct Cremation is specifically a cremation only option. It is done at a time to suit the company instructed for this purpose, with family and friends sometimes not knowing exactly when or where the cremation will take place.

In the case of a larger national company being used for a Direct Cremation, they may arrange for a local funeral director to collect the deceased from the place of death, once the relevant paperwork is completed, in order for them to be able to do so. The deceased is then stored locally until the company is able to collect and move them to their business premises, after which the cremation process will take place at a time and place that suits them.

After the death there is usually no opportunity for loved ones to view the deceased or have them dressed in particular clothing, as this would be something that would incur charges that are not included in the offering of cremation only.

However, if a funeral director in your local area offers Direct Cremation, they may have varying price grades that would allow for certain extra services to be included, such as visiting your loved one in the chapel of rest. Some funeral directors even make provision for a very minimal number of people to attend the cremation. Although it is usual for the cremation process to be carried out at a time and place that is not disclosed to loved ones, with the cremated remains being returned to the next of kin afterwards.

There is much to consider when choosing a direct cremation as this may be a difficult option for some family and loved ones to process, as there is no opportunity for them to ‘say goodbye’ in the usual way they may expect, despite knowing they may be carrying out their loved ones wishes, if this has been the case.

For many, attending a funeral is deemed as being part of the ceremony and ritual that is a necessary part of the grieving process and therefore part of the healing process as they begin a new chapter, without a loved one physically present in their lives.

Some people who experience the direct cremation of a loved one may feel their grief is ‘incomplete or unresolved’ because they were not able to say, what they feel would be, a proper goodbye - even though they may have been carrying out their loved ones wishes.

Where a direct cremation or unattended funeral of any sort has been requested by the deceased, those close to them may wish to hold their own ‘goodbye ceremony’ or gather to celebrate their life, sharing in their appreciation of the person who has died. They may perhaps do something together that the deceased enjoyed to doing or visit a place that was special to them in order to mark the occasion.

If it is your intention to choose a direct cremation, either in your own planning or for when a loved one dies, it’s really important to talk to those close to you and make sure everyone understands the process, allowing everyone space to share their feelings and perhaps make plans for alternative ways to commemorate and celebrate the life that has been lived.