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Written by Adam McIlroy.
14 minute read
In recent years, ‘no-fuss funerals,’ also known as direct cremations or simple cremations have become increasingly popular in the UK. Unlike traditional services, most direct cremations take place without a ceremony or mourners present, offering a simpler and more affordable alternative. Several factors have contributed to this growing trend towards pure cremation and simpler funeral options. It’s one of several emerging funeral alternatives for those seeking a more personal and simple way to say goodbye.
A no-fuss funeral is essentially an unattended direct cremation, carried out with no funeral procession, no formal service, and no mourners present. It focuses only on the essentials, while still ensuring dignity and care. Alternative terms such as “no service funeral” or “unattended cremation” are often used to describe the same type of arrangement.
The rising cost of living has made traditional funerals financially challenging for many families. The restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic have also left a lasting impact, changing the way people approach end-of-life rituals. Perhaps most notably, the decline of religion in the UK has led many to move away from formal, faith-based funeral services.
If you’ve found yourself reading this, you may be facing the difficult task of planning a funeral…perhaps for a loved one or even for yourself in advance. We understand how overwhelming this can feel, especially when dealing with grief, financial concerns, or simply not knowing where to start. Whether you’re exploring options due to financial pressures, personal beliefs, or a desire for something more straightforward, please know that you’re not alone. We’re here to offer guidance, reassurance, and a compassionate approach to helping you make the right choice for your circumstances.
A no-fuss funeral is designed to keep things simple and affordable, while still ensuring dignity and respect. It removes many of the traditional elements, focusing only on what’s essential.
Typical features include:
No service or ceremony – there is no formal funeral at the crematorium or burial site.
No mourners present – the cremation or burial takes place quietly, without attendees.
Simple coffin – a plain but respectful coffin is used to keep costs low.
Ashes returned – the ashes are given back to the family, who may keep or scatter them in a special place.
Because there’s no formal service or procession, the cost is much lower than a traditional funeral. Families can then choose to hold a separate memorial or celebration of life later, at a time and place that feels right for them.
Families and individuals choose a no-fuss funeral for many reasons. For some, it’s a practical decision to ease financial pressure. For others, it reflects personal wishes for something simpler and less formal.
The most common reasons include:
Cost savings – no-fuss funerals are far less expensive than traditional funerals. Direct cremation costs are typically much lower, as they don’t include things like a service, procession, or venue hire.
Honouring personal wishes – many people request a simpler funeral before they die, making things easier for their loved ones.
A low-key farewell – some prefer a quiet, modern alternative without the formalities of a traditional service.
Flexibility for later – families may plan a separate memorial or celebration of life that is more personal, giving them time to gather when they feel ready.
| Feature | No-fuss funeral (Aura) | Traditional funeral |
|---|---|---|
| Service or ceremony | Not included | Formal service included |
| Mourners present | Optional or none | Yes |
| Procession/hearse | Not included | Usually included |
| Cost | From £1,195 | £4,000+ average |
| Ashes returned | Yes (or scattered for you) | Yes |
Settling on a provider for your no-fuss funeral can be daunting. The first thing you should do is to try to get an idea of the different offerings out there.
Different companies offer the same kind of funeral for different prices, and there’s often a lot of variance on what they include in the cost of dying. For that reason, it’s a good idea to take a look at objective comparison and advice sites, such as Money Saving Expert or Fairer Finance. These organisations can help you cut through the noise of what each company is saying about themselves, giving you a chance to see things more clearly.
It’s also a good idea to take a look at what the former customers of each company say about the service they received. That will help you to understand whether they are delivering on what they are offering
We are proud to say that Aura is the only cremation services provider with two 5-star-rated plans on Fairer Finance. We are also the highest rated cremation services provider on Trustpilot, with a 4.9/5 stars rating. You can find Aura’s customer reviews on Trustpilot.
Most providers cater to two different types of people: Those who are looking to organise a funeral for a loved one who has recently passed away, and those who are aiming to proactively buy a prepaid funeral plan for their own funeral in the future.
Depending on which category you might fall into, the price you end up paying and the different funeral elements available to you may change. If you’re interested in learning more about Aura’s offering for direct cremation, or for prepaid funeral plans, you can do so by clicking the relevant link.
For those seeking a funeral now, the price of an Aura no-fuss funeral is flexible, as we only charge you for what you need. For those seeking a funeral plan, everything is included in the quote price.
Here’s what’s included in the price of an at-need no fuss funeral:
Depending on the circumstances, for example where the death has occurred, there may be extra charges for a no fuss funeral arranged at short notice:
We’ll never charge you for anything that isn’t completely necessary, and we’ll always be upfront and transparent about our prices.
A no-fuss cremation is a funeral with the option for friends and family of the person who has died to be in attendance, or for it to be completely unattended.
With an Aura unattended direct cremation, the person who has died is brought respectfully from where they are resting to the crematorium. With a no-fuss funeral, most of the traditional formalities are not observed. So, rather than in a hearse, we will do this in a private ambulance.
Shortly after the person who has died arrives at the crematorium, they are taken through the chapel and placed on the catafalque. Music can be played, and then an attendant can speak a few words in honour of them as a mark of respect. Then the cremation will begin.
Within 21 days of the cremation taking place, Aura will either hand-deliver the ashes back to the family in a scatter-tube, ready to be disbursed in a special location, or we can scatter them on their behalf at the crematorium’s own Garden of Remembrance.
Following the funeral, it’s entirely up to the family what happens next, who will look to send off the person they’ve lost exactly as they would’ve wanted . With a traditional funeral, people often immediately attend a wake or some kind of social gathering in order to remember the person who has died.
Many families find this difficult to do on the day. They prefer instead to wait a length of time that feels right for them before organising a celebration of life. Sometimes those who’ve died don’t want to have any kind of celebration at all, preferring instead to slip out of this life quietly, and remain in the memories of their loved ones.
With an Aura no-fuss funeral, you get exactly that: there’s no hearse, no floral tributes, no pallbearers and no funeral procession. There’s just a quiet, and elegant goodbye on your terms.
A no-fuss funeral is not just available to those who need one in the near future, but also to those seeking to proactively plan for the future. That being said, there are a number of special advantages available to people holding an Aura prepaid direct cremation plan.
Our no-fuss funerals at the point of need start at £1,195 and our funeral plans begin at £1,695. Both of these prices are less than half of the average cost of the average UK funeral, according to SunLife.
No fuss funerals are usually much cheaper because they forgo many of the associated ‘optional costs’ that contribute to how much a funeral costs. We offer two attended options for both of our prepaid funeral plans, and our at-need funerals. The full range of prices is as follows:
We’d be very glad to hear from you if you have any questions at all about organising a no -fuss cremation. You can reach us by phone on 0800 066 3348, or feel free to request a quote on our website.
While a no-fuss funeral is the simplest and most affordable option, it isn’t the only choice. Some families prefer to arrange a memorial service or celebration of life at a later date, giving them the chance to gather in a personal and meaningful way. Others may explore eco-friendly funerals, which focus on sustainability by using natural burial grounds, biodegradable coffins, and fewer resources.
No-fuss funerals themselves can also be considered more eco-friendly, as they reduce the need for long vehicle processions, embalming, and excess materials. This makes them not only simple and cost-effective, but also a lower-impact way of saying goodbye.
If you’d like more information about direct cremation and Aura’s funeral plans, then our downloadable guide can help. Find out why others are choosing this affordable, no-fuss alternative to traditional funerals and why it might be right for you too.
Download our guide by clicking the link below and learn more about this simple funeral plan option.
The simplest funeral available in the UK is a direct cremation, sometimes called a no-fuss or simple cremation. With this option, the cremation takes place without a service at the crematorium and without mourners present. The person who has died is collected, cared for, placed in a simple coffin, and cremated. Ashes are either returned to the family or scattered in a garden of remembrance.
Direct burials work in a similar way, the person is buried without a ceremony or mourners present. Both options keep costs down by removing elements such as hearses, floral tributes, or a formal service, while still ensuring a dignified and respectful farewell.
Aura’s no-fuss funeral includes collection, cremation fees, a simple coffin, medical-device removal, and hand-delivery or scattering of ashes. There are no hidden extras.
The average UK cost of a direct or no-fuss cremation is around £1,597, according to SunLife’s 2024 Cost of Dying Report. This is less than half the cost of a traditional funeral, which averages £4,285–£5,077 depending on whether it involves burial or cremation.
Aura’s no-fuss cremation prices start from £1,195 for an unattended option. Families can choose to add more, such as a short intimate farewell or a fully attended service, but even the higher-end attended cremations are usually far cheaper than a full traditional funeral.
Yes. Aura offers three levels of service. Unattended, intimate farewell (up to 10 people), and fully attended. You choose what suits your needs and budget.
Yes. Aura offers all-inclusive prepaid plans for no-fuss funerals, so you can plan ahead with confidence.
You can pay in full or spread the cost over 12 to 24 months. Plans are regulated and protected, and you can cancel at any time for a full refund.
It’s a simple way to ease the burden on your loved ones later.
Absolutely. Aura’s plans are regulated by the FCA and protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Your money is held in a secure, independent trust until needed.