As standard, an affordable cremation is unattended. There are no mourners at the crematorium, no formal service, no celebrant and no procession. This is the same model used by every affordable, direct or basic cremation provider in the UK — it is what keeps the service simple and the price low.
For many families, this is exactly what they want. They have already said their goodbyes; they plan to hold a separate celebration of life later in a more meaningful setting; or they simply do not want the formality and expense of a traditional funeral. An unattended affordable cremation gives them the time and space to grieve in their own way, without pressure.
For some families, however, the idea of having no one present at all does not feel right. The good news is that because our affordable cremation service is delivered by a real local independent funeral director — not a centralised national operation — there is flexibility to do something different.
If, before the cremation takes place, you decide you would like to attend, you have options:
• A brief attended moment at the crematorium as the coffin is brought in — a short, quiet presence without a formal service. • A viewing of your loved one at the funeral director's premises before the cremation. • A small attended service at the crematorium with immediate family. • An alternative urn, memorial or floral tribute.
Each of these is an addition to the standard service and carries an appropriate additional fee, agreed and explained upfront with the local funeral director. This kind of flexibility is one of the real advantages of paying £1,499 with us rather than a lower price with a fully centralised provider — at the cheapest end of the market (£849 to £1,195), adaptations are usually not possible at all because the entire operation is built around the unattended model with no local relationship.
To discuss your options, call our team on 0333 242 1405. They will explain what is included in the standard £1,499 affordable cremation, and — if you wish to do something different — introduce you to the local funeral director who can talk you through what is possible in your area.