FAQs for Direct Cremations

A direct cremation is a basic cremation without a funeral service, ceremony, or attendance by family and friends. The cremation takes place at the local crematorium of your choice, before the ashes are returned to the family.

A traditional funeral usually includes a service, procession, and attendance by mourners. A direct cremation does not include these elements, making it a simpler, affordable alternative.

No. A direct cremation is unattended, meaning family and friends do not attend the crematorium on the day of the cremation.

Yes. Many families choose to arrange a memorial service, celebration of life, or gathering at a later date when it is convenient for them.

The ashes are collected and temporarily stored for you at one of our offices, in either Exeter, Exmouth or Honiton. You can collect them when it suits, or you can arrange for personal delivery.

Absolutely. Although simpler than a traditional funeral, a direct cremation is carried out with the same care, dignity, and respect.

Direct cremations are often chosen by people who want a simple farewell, families looking for a more straightforward arrangement, or those who prefer to hold a separate memorial service.

Our direct cremation service includes collecting your loved one, caring for them at our Chapel of Rest, arranging the necessary paperwork, a simple coffin, transporting them to the crematorium, and temporarily storing the ashes for the family.

Once all necessary paperwork and permissions have been completed, we will arrange the cremation as soon as possible and keep you informed throughout the process. With our experience, this can be as soon as two weeks.

Simple & Direct Cremations specialises in providing simple, affordable direct cremations without the additional funeral director services associated with a traditional funeral. This helps keep costs lower while ensuring all necessary arrangements are taken care of.

While there is no service at the crematorium, families can choose to personalise a memorial or celebration of life afterwards in any way they wish.

Simple & Direct Cremations is based in Exeter and serves families across Exeter, Devon, and the surrounding areas.

Yes. We offer prepaid funeral plans that allow you to plan ahead and make your wishes known, helping to ease the burden on your loved ones in the future.

Our direct cremation service costs £1,495 and includes everything required for a simple, dignified cremation without a funeral service or attendance at the crematorium.

Many people are choosing direct cremations because they offer a simple, practical alternative to a traditional funeral, while still allowing families to remember and celebrate a loved one's life in their own way.

Yes. A dedicated representative will remain in contact with you throughout the arrangements, helping with paperwork, answering questions, and keeping you informed at every stage. This may be a member of our experienced funeral team.

A direct cremation does not include a funeral service, hearse procession, ceremony, or other traditional funeral elements. This allows the arrangements to remain simple and helps reduce overall costs.

Yes. Every person entrusted to our care is treated with the utmost dignity, compassion, and respect throughout the entire process.

Absolutely. Many families choose to hold a memorial service, celebration of life, or scattering ceremony after the cremation, allowing them to remember their loved one in a way that feels right for them.

Yes. We offer prepaid funeral plans, allowing you to arrange and pay for your cremation in advance, helping to provide peace of mind for you and your family.

Yes. We are approved representatives of Golden Charter, an FCA-regulated funeral plan provider. A prepaid funeral plan allows you to arrange and pay for your direct cremation in advance, giving you peace of mind and helping to ease the burden on your loved ones in the future.

Any personal belongings, including jewellery such as wedding rings, can remain with your loved one while they are in our care. If you would like these items returned to the family, we can arrange this prior to the cremation.

Yes, absolutely. We understand how important it can be to spend time with a loved one before saying goodbye. We can dress them in their own clothing, and visits to our chapel of rest can be arranged by appointment during office hours.

We use the crematoria closest to our locations, which are Exeter and East Devon Crematorium in Whimple. We will advise you which crematorium will be used when making the arrangements.

Your loved one will be cared for in one of our chapels of rest, located in Exeter, Exmouth, or Honiton. We will discuss the most suitable location with you and ensure they are looked after with dignity and respect throughout their time in our care.

You can be completely reassured that strict identification and tracking procedures are followed throughout the entire cremation process. These procedures ensure that the ashes returned to you are solely those of your loved one.

Yes. Once the cremation has taken place, we will contact you to arrange the collection or return of the ashes, depending on your preferences.