Direct Cremation
A direct cremation in Dorset is a cremation without mourners attending and without a funeral service at the crematorium.
We will bring the person who has died into our care, complete the necessary arrangements and take the coffin to the crematorium. Following the cremation, the ashes can be returned to the family or scattered at the crematorium according to their wishes.
A direct cremation may be suitable for someone who did not want a traditional funeral or for families who would prefer to hold a separate memorial or celebration of life.
Our professional fees for arranging a direct cremation start from £1,810 plus the crematorium fee.
We will provide a full written estimate before the arrangements are confirmed.
What does a direct cremation include?
Our direct cremation service includes:
- Bringing the person who has died into our care
- Care until the cremation takes place
- A suitable coffin
- Making the necessary funeral arrangements
- Completing the required paperwork
- Transporting the coffin to the crematorium
- Returning the ashes to your chosen branch or arranging for them to be scattered at the crematorium
The crematorium fee is charged separately.
Additional charges may apply depending on the circumstances, such as collection outside normal working hours, outside the local area or optional products and services requested by the family. These will always be explained before the arrangements are confirmed.
What happens during a direct cremation?
A direct cremation takes place without mourners present.
There is no funeral ceremony at the crematorium and the date and time of the cremation are arranged by the funeral director and crematorium.
The coffin is taken respectfully to the crematorium and the cremation takes place privately.
Once the ashes are available, we will contact the family to arrange collection from their chosen Douch Family Funeral Directors branch. The family may instead choose for the ashes to be scattered in the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance.
Can family and friends attend?
No. A direct cremation is unattended, which means family and friends do not attend the crematorium.
Families who would like to attend a funeral service may wish to consider one of our other funeral options.
Our team will explain the differences and help you choose an arrangement that feels right for your family.
Can we hold a funeral service before the unattended cremation?
Yes. A full funeral service can take place before the unattended cremation.
The service may be held in:
- A church or place of worship
- One of our private ceremony rooms
- A cemetery chapel
- Another suitable venue
The coffin can be present and the service can include music, readings, prayers, personal tributes, flowers and printed Orders of Service.
At the end of the service, the coffin is taken into our care and transported to the crematorium. The cremation then takes place without mourners attending.
This means the family and other mourners do not need to travel to the crematorium and can go directly to the wake or gathering after the service.
Why choose an unattended cremation after a funeral service?
Some families choose this arrangement because:
- The church or funeral venue is some distance from the crematorium
- They would prefer not to ask mourners to make an additional journey
- They want the funeral service and wake to take place close together
- They would like more time for the service than may be available at a crematorium
- The church or ceremony venue has greater personal or family significance
- They prefer the committal to take place privately
The funeral service remains a full and personal occasion. The only unattended part is the cremation at the crematorium.
Can we go directly to the wake after the funeral service?
Yes. Once the funeral service has concluded and the coffin has left in our care, family and friends can go directly to the wake.
We will take responsibility for transporting the coffin to the crematorium and completing the unattended committal.
This avoids a second journey for mourners and can allow the family to spend more time together following the service.
Can we arrange a memorial without a funeral service?
Yes. Some families choose a direct cremation without a funeral service beforehand and hold a memorial or celebration of life separately.
This may take place after the ashes have been returned or at another time that suits family and friends.
A memorial can be held in one of our ceremony rooms, a church, a community venue, a hotel, the family home or another suitable location.
Is direct cremation the right choice?
Direct cremation can provide a simple and dignified option for families who do not want an attended funeral at the crematorium.
It may be appropriate where:
- The person who died requested a simple unattended cremation
- The family wishes to hold a memorial separately
- Family and friends live in different areas and need more time to gather
- A formal funeral service is not wanted
- The family would prefer to remember the person in another way
Direct cremation is not necessarily the right choice for everyone.
Some families later realise that they would have valued the opportunity to attend a service with the coffin present. Our team will explain all the available options without pressure before you make a final decision.
Direct cremation costs
Our professional fees for arranging a direct cremation start from £1,810.
The crematorium fee is additional and will depend on the crematorium used.
Your written estimate will clearly show:
- Our professional fees
- The crematorium fee
- Any additional collection or mileage charges
- Any optional products or services requested
No arrangements will be confirmed until the costs have been explained.
Do you offer a “pure cremation”?
People sometimes use the phrase “pure cremation” when they mean a simple or direct cremation with no mourners attending the crematorium.
We offer direct and unattended cremations through our local funeral homes across Dorset. This can be arranged without a funeral service beforehand, or the family may choose to hold a service in a church, one of our ceremony rooms or another suitable venue before the unattended cremation takes place.
Pure Cremation is also the name of a separate national funeral provider. Our direct cremation service is arranged locally by your local Douch Family Funeral Director branch and is not connected with that company.
Frequently asked questions
Is a coffin included?
Yes. A suitable coffin is included within our direct cremation professional fee.
Can we choose the cremation date?
The cremation date and time are arranged according to the availability of the funeral director and crematorium. As the cremation is unattended, families cannot normally select a particular service time.
Can personal items be placed in the coffin?
Some personal items may be placed in the coffin, subject to crematorium regulations. Our team will explain what is permitted.
Can the person who died wear their own clothes?
This may be possible depending on the clothing and crematorium requirements. Our team will discuss this with you.
When will the ashes be available?
The timescale varies between crematoria. We will contact you as soon as the ashes are ready for collection.
Can the ashes be delivered?
Please speak to your local branch about the available options. Additional charges may apply.
Can the ashes be divided between family members?
Yes. We can arrange for the ashes to be divided into suitable containers or keepsakes. Additional charges may apply.
What happens if the coroner is involved?
A direct cremation can still usually take place following a coroner’s involvement. The arrangements cannot proceed until the required permission and paperwork have been received.
Speak to your local funeral director
Our team can explain direct cremation and the other funeral options available.
There is no pressure to make an immediate decision.
Please contact your nearest Douch Family Funeral Directors branch or call us at any time if someone has died and you need assistance.
