Direct Cremation Cost Comparison: UK Providers, Prices & What's Included
Direct cremation prices on this site currently range from £895 to £1,695, based on published pricing from the providers listed below. The price difference is not just about the provider name. It usually comes down to what is included, such as home collection, ashes return, urns, and other practical extras. This page compares UK direct cremation providers side by side so you can see the headline price, what is included, and where a higher price may represent better value rather than just a bigger bill.
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Pre-paid plans, FCA-regulated providers, what to know about locking in price vs paying at-need.
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Or jump straight to the price comparison:
Independent UK direct cremation price comparison. Official provider prices checked 20 July 2026.
CMA-compliant pricing
Funerals Market Order 2021
UK funeral providers must publish a Standardised Price List under the CMA's Funerals Market Investigation Order 2021. We cross-reference each provider's headline price against this list before listing them.
Read the order on gov.ukFCA-regulated plans listed
Where applicable
Pre-paid funeral plans have been FCA-regulated since 29 July 2022. Where a provider sells a pre-paid plan, we only list it if the firm holds the relevant FCA permission — checkable on the FCA register.
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Verified against source
Every provider price on this page has a verification date. We re-check provider pricing pages and CMA Standardised Price Lists at least once per month — and immediately when a provider announces a change.
How we verifyEditorial team
Human-reviewed
All content is written, reviewed, and fact-checked by a human editorial team. We don't auto-generate provider copy from press releases. We don't publish vendor-supplied articles.
About our editorial standardsIf someone has just died — you don't need to make this decision alone. Email us if you need help understanding the comparison. No phone calls, no pressure.
Most providers operate a 24-hour urgent line and can arrange collection at any time — your GP, hospital, or care home can hold the deceased in their care until arrangements are made. There is no need to rush a decision.
How It Works
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See what’s included (collection, ashes, urn, fees) and the total price.
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Compare Direct Cremation Prices by Provider
View all →Cheapest: £895 • Most expensive listed: £1,695. The lowest advertised price is not always the most complete option — compare what's included before deciding.
Compare by City
Brighton
10 providers
Cambridge
10 providers
Bournemouth
10 providers
Aberdeen
10 providers
Derby
10 providers
Plymouth
10 providers
Stoke-on-Trent
10 providers
Reading
10 providers
Luton
10 providers
Swansea
10 providers
York
10 providers
Oxford
10 providers
Milton Keynes
10 providers
Northampton
10 providers
Norwich
10 providers
Hull
10 providers
Huddersfield
10 providers
Preston
10 providers
Blackpool
10 providers
Middlesbrough
10 providers
Dundee
10 providers
Exeter
10 providers
Bolton
10 providers
Portsmouth
10 providers
What’s Included at Each Price Point
The main differences between providers are usually home collection, ashes return, urn inclusion, and whether extra charges sit outside the headline price.
A lower starting price can still lead to a higher overall cost if key items are not included as standard.
Cheapest vs Best-Value Direct Cremation
The cheapest published price on this site may suit families who want the lowest starting point and are comfortable checking carefully what is and is not included.
A higher-priced option may represent better value where home collection, ashes return, an urn, or fewer extra charges matter more than the lowest headline figure.
How We Verify Prices
Prices and inclusions on this page are based on published provider pricing and source pages linked from each provider profile.
- We compare published pricing only
- We do not act as a funeral director
- We recommend checking the original provider page before making a decision
- UK funeral businesses are required to publish pricing information, and this page is designed to make those published details easier to compare
Need background first? Read our guide to what direct cremation means.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does direct cremation cost in the UK?
Among the ten providers compared here, current direct cremation starting prices range from £895 to £1,695. Compare collection, ashes return, an urn and other optional charges alongside the headline price. In England and Wales, the old Cremation Forms 4 and 5 and associated family-paid medical-certificate fee ended on 9 September 2024.
What is the cheapest way to be cremated in the UK?
Direct cremation is the lowest-cost category in SunLife’s 2026 data. The lowest starting price among providers compared here is £895; this is not a claim that it is the cheapest provider in the whole UK. SunLife reports £1,628 for direct cremation and £3,828 for a simple attended funeral.
What is included in a direct cremation?
A direct cremation package usually includes collection under stated conditions, a suitable coffin or cremation container, the cremation and basic paperwork. Ashes return, home collection and out-of-hours collection vary by provider, so check the package rather than assuming they are included.
Do direct cremations use a coffin?
A direct cremation uses a suitable combustible coffin or cremation container. The type varies by provider: some list a simple wood or cardboard coffin, while Express Cremations lists an eco cremation shroud. Check the provider’s published package.
Can I arrange a direct cremation myself?
Yes. You can contact a direct cremation provider directly and arrange everything by phone or online. You do not need to go through a local funeral director as an intermediary. The provider will handle collection, paperwork, the cremation itself and return of the ashes.
How long after death does a direct cremation take place?
There is no single fixed interval. Timing depends on death certification and registration, any coroner involvement, collection and crematorium availability. In England and Wales, the Medical Examiner scrutinises non-coronial deaths; the old Cremation Forms 4 and 5 were removed on 9 September 2024.
Is direct cremation cheaper than a traditional funeral?
SunLife’s 2026 averages are £1,628 for direct cremation and £3,828 for a simple attended funeral. Starting prices among providers compared here begin at £895, but package inclusions differ.
Can the family attend a direct cremation?
No — that is the defining feature of a direct cremation. There is no service at the crematorium and no mourners present. Many families instead hold a separate memorial or celebration of life at a time and place of their choosing.
How do I choose a direct cremation provider?
Compare providers on what is actually included rather than the headline price alone. Check home and out-of-hours collection, ashes return, any urn or container, device removal and other optional charges, then confirm the total in writing.
Is CremationCompare a funeral director?
No. CremationCompare is an independent comparison service. We do not arrange cremations ourselves — we publish provider prices and what is included so families can compare and contact providers directly.
Still have questions? Read our full guide library or email us.