Coronavirus
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Direct Cremation
We’re here to help you whenever you need us, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can provide any support and guidance you may need.
- What is a Direct Cremation?
- What's included?
- What's not included?
- How much does a Direct Cremation cost?
- Direct Cremation with Cortege
- How much does a Direct Cremation with Cortege cost?
- How does a Direct Cremation work?
- Ways to remember
- Memorial services
What is a Direct Cremation?
A Direct Cremation is a simple, unattended cremation with all the dignity and care you would expect from Co-op Funeralcare.
As there is no funeral service, it means you can choose your own way to remember someone at a place and time that suits you. You may want to consider holding a celebration of life or memorial service at a later date. We’ll be here to help you arrange this when the time is right.
We understand it may be difficult to say goodbye when it’s not possible to go to the funeral, which is why we also offer a cortege service. This is where the hearse passes your home, giving you a moment to pause, reflect and say goodbye.
What's included?
A Direct Cremation includes:
- us bringing the person who has died into our care
- all cremation fees and costs – there are no extra charges
- care and preparation of the person who has died
- a simple wood-effect coffin
- a suitable vehicle to the crematorium
- any required doctors’ fees (if not required, we’ll refund this)
- a grey scatter tube for the ashes
- an optional online tribute page, enabling you to share memories and securely accept ‘in memory’ charity donations
While you’re unable to attend the cremation itself or visit the person who has died in our funeral home, you’ll still receive the same level of care as you’d expect from any of our more traditional funerals.
We’re currently unable to return ashes – we’ll contact you to arrange return when restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic have been lifted.
What's not included?
If you choose a Direct Cremation, you cannot:
- visit the person who has died in the chapel of rest
- choose the date or time of the cremation
- choose the crematorium where it takes place
- attend the crematorium on the day
How much does a Direct Cremation cost?
A Direct Cremation costs £1,310. If you're in Scotland it costs £1,230, as the laws around doctor's certificates are different.
Although Direct Cremation costs less than a traditional funeral, you will still receive the same caring and compassionate service.
To arrange a Direct Cremation with Cortege contact your local Co-op funeral director.
Or you can start your Direct Cremation arrangement online:
Direct Cremation with Cortege
We understand how difficult it is to say goodbye when it’s not possible to go to the funeral service. One way we can help is offering a Direct Cremation with Cortege. This is where the hearse passes your home, which enables you to take a moment to pause, reflect and say goodbye.
This funeral includes:
- all the services included in a Direct Cremation
- the hearse passing your home
- a high quality traditional oak coffin
- a choice of 3 scatter tubes for the ashes
There are some restrictions on the length of route the cortege can take and this may not take place on the same day as the cremation. Your funeral director will explain everything to you.
How does a Direct Cremation work?
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Make sure the death has been verified by a medical professional before you contact us.
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Gather some basic information we’ll need to know to start arranging the Direct Cremation - the date of birth of the person who has died and the address where we should collect the person who has died
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Contact us to begin the arrangement. For Direct Cremation you can use our online form or call us on 0800 029 4590. For Direct Cremation with Cortege call your local funeral home.
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We’ll arrange to bring the person who has died into our care, no matter when or where.
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We’ll give you the forms you need to fill in, sign and return, including your agreement with us and application – we'll guide you through this process and answer any questions you have.
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You’ll need to pay in full within 2 working days.
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The cremation takes place.
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If you’ve chosen the cortege option, the hearse will pass by your home, allowing you to take a moment to pause, reflect and say goodbye.
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We will contact you to arrange the return of the ashes – currently coronavirus guidelines do not allow us to return ashes, so we’ll arrange this when restrictions have been lifted.
Ways to remember
We want to do everything we can to help you to say goodbye, whether that’s a celebration of life service at a later date or helping you find a beautiful keepsake to commemorate and remember the person who has died.
We offer a wide range of keepsakes and memorial items, helping you commemorate and remember the person who has died.
Speak to your local funeral director if you’d like to know more about the options available.
Memorial services
Government restrictions on large gatherings during coronavirus are changing the way we arrange funerals. If you’re not able to hold a service now because of the restrictions, we can help you arrange a memorial event in the future.
Full terms and conditions for Direct Cremation and Direct Cremation with Cortege.
