For some, a funeral should be a statement, a demonstration that the deceased was loved. It might be a coffin bedecked with floral tributes transported in a carriage pulled by plumed horses. For others it might be a traditional funeral with a conventional hearse or even a more personalised service such as a coffin delivered by motorbike.
But not everyone wants such a grand affair. There are those who, for a multitude of reasons, want a quiet funeral without fuss.
The simplest funeral you can have is a direct cremation or burial. A direct cremation is also known as an unattended funeral because it is just that. It is one without mourners or a service. There is no pomp or ceremony, no hymns, no readings, no order of service and no tributes.
Instead, the deceased will be collected by a funeral director from the place of their death and will be taken with quiet dignity to a cremation or place of burial.
Direct cremations are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons. Some people feel uncomfortable with a formal funeral and prefer to grieve in their own time before holding a memorial service or celebration of life at a time of their choosing.
Direct cremations also cost less because there are not so many associated expenses, and they also happen more quickly because there is no need for time to make a myriad of arrangements.
They can be especially appropriate when the deceased has no religious affiliations or no surviving family.
Funeral directors, who are handling a direct cremation, will ensure the deceased is treated with the same respect and compassion as with a traditional funeral.
However, while the simplicity of a direct cremation can be attractive, it is important to consider the needs of the bereaved when deciding what funeral to choose. Traditional funerals are, to some, a rite of passage. They are an opportunity for friends and family to come together to share their grief and give mutual support. In our society, funerals are a significant step in the grief process and their importance should not be underestimated. Many people have struggled to come to terms with the death of a loved one due to restrictions imposed on funerals during the Covid pandemic.
There are no rights and wrongs in choosing a funeral service. Each is unique and will best reflect the life of the deceased and the wishes of those who remain.
Our kind and compassionate team are here to offer guidance and advice about direct cremations or any other aspect of death, bereavement or planning a funeral.
