Watch any daytime television and nestled among the all-familiar financial product advertising for the older consumer, is a relative newcomer – the direct cremation. With low cost at the heart of its proposition and the cost-of-living crisis biting, it is positioned as an affordable contender for those not wishing to burden themselves or loved-ones financially.
And yet, research on behalf of pre-paid funeral plan provider, Ecclesiastical Planning Services, revealed that 53% of over 50s haven’t considered a direct cremation for themselves. A further 33% would consider a direct cremation whilst 14% weren’t sure of their funeral preferences or preferred not to say. The 53% who haven’t considered direct cremation, were then asked to provide reasons for this and could select multiple options. Nearly 40% said it was because they wanted a traditional funeral, 35% wanted their family to attend the cremation and 7% didn’t want their family to have to arrange a service themselves.
A direct cremation is a fuss-free alternative to a traditional funeral. The deceased is taken straight to the crematorium without a traditional funeral ceremony or anyone in attendance, and the ashes are returned to the family. Usually, there is an absence of personal touches, such as viewing of the deceased or flowers, and the time and date of the cremation may not be shared with loved ones.
A funeral ceremony and its personalisation to the deceased, whether it’s traditional or something different, can form a vital part of the grieving process and the absence of this ‘farewell’ should not be underestimated. One respondent said, 'a funeral is a rite of passage for the mourners - it can help people move on from their loss.’
Additionally, what may be a little-known aspect, is that direct cremations provided by national providers often happen some distance from where the deceased lived or died. In a separate question, regarding the location of a direct cremation, more than a third of respondents (116 out of 334) would expect a cremation to take place in their local town or city. A traditional funeral arranged by a local funeral director could offer the assurance it would happen in the local area. This is something to check before purchasing a funeral either at the time of need or as a pre-paid funeral plan.
Whatever funeral provision is preferred, talking to loved ones about the decision is key and can avoid further worry when you’re gone. If your wishes are known and understood, then they can be respected.
Emma Simpson, Marketing Manager at pre-paid funeral plan provider Ecclesiastical Planning Services comments, “Despite the evolution of funeral provision, we recognise that many people still desire something traditional whilst others prefer the direct cremation formats available. We strongly encourage people to openly discuss their preferred arrangements to reduce worry at the time of need.”
Source: OnePoll research of 1,000 UK residents aged 50 and above, on behalf of Ecclesiastical Planning Services, October 2023.