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There are many people out there who don't want a lot of fuss when they die and don't even want a funeral at all. So that begs the question, by law, in the UK, do you have to have a funeral? We'll explore more in this article.
There are many people out there who don't want a lot of fuss when they die and don't even want a funeral at all. So that begs the question, by law, in the UK, do you have to have a funeral? We'll explore more in this article.
By law, do you have to have a funeral in the UK?
The short answer is: no. By law in the UK, there is no legal obligation to have a funeral. However, when somebody dies, the body must be disposed of either by being buried, cremated or donated to medical science.
By definition a funeral is "a ceremony or service held shortly after a person's death, usually including the person's burial or cremation." Therefore this means if you or a loved one don't want to have a funeral, you can have something called a direct cremation instead.
A direct cremation by many is still considered a type of simple funeral, but ultimately it is a cremation without a service. With a direct cremation, the deceased is collected, taken to a crematorium and the ashes are then personally delivered to the family or scattered at the crematorium. Though it's a pared-back service compared to a traditional funeral, the deceased is still treated with the same compassion and care you would expect any funeral provider to supply.
A direct cremation is the cheapest way to be cremated or buried and prices start with Distinct Cremations from just £1,199. A celebration of life or a memorial service can still take place, but this takes place separately away from the cremation at a time and date of the family's choosing.
On this page
- Legal requirements
- Reasons why you would have a funeral
- Alternatives to a traditional funeral
- Other helpful resources
Legal requirements for when someone dies
When someone dies, there are a number of legal requirements or processes that must be adhered to in the UK, even if you don't want to have a funeral.
Here is a handy checklist which details exactly what you need to do when someone dies.
A checklist for when someone dies
We have created a free checklist for you to download which lets you know exactly what you need to do when someone dies.
Download our checklist below or speak to our expert team on 01543 211997 today
Reasons why you would have a funeral and reasons why you wouldn't
The decision to have a funeral may depend on a number of factors. This could be a cultural or religious consideration, personal preference, practical reasons or financial reasons.
Here are some reasons why you might have a funeral and reasons why you might choose not to
Reasons for
Common reasons to have a funeral:
- Cultural and religious traditions: Many cultures and religions have specific rituals and traditions associated with death and funerals. These traditions may require a funeral service to honour the deceased.
- Closure and processing grief: Funerals can help the grieving process by allowing family and friends to come together to mourn, share memories, and find emotional support from each another.
- Honouring the deceased: A funeral provides an opportunity to celebrate the life, achievements, and contributions of the person who has passed away. It allows for the sharing of stories and memories that highlight their impact on others.
- Preservation of family traditions: Funerals can preserve cultural and familial traditions related to death and burial, ensuring that these customs are passed down through generations.
Reasons against
Common reasons not to have a funeral:
- Personal preference: Some individuals may have expressed a desire for no formal funeral or memorial service in their will or in conversations with loved ones for no reason other than personal preference.
- Financial considerations: Funerals can be expensive, and some families may not have the financial means to organise a funeral service when there is an alternative to go without.
- Environmental concerns: Some people opt for a green funeral, a water cremation or a natural burial to minimise their environmental impact. These alternatives may not involve traditional funeral services.
- Geographic constraints: In cases where the deceased's family and friends are scattered across the globe, it may be challenging to organise a traditional funeral that accommodates everyone's needs and schedules.
Alternative options to a traditional funeral
These days, there are many alternatives to a traditional funeral. This can be something like an unattended, direct cremation which is a cremation without a funeral. A private cremation, which has a small funeral service. Or a natural burial which is an environmentally friendly alternative.
Here are a few alternatives you may like to consider if you or your loved one aren't interested in having a traditional funeral.
Unattended cremation
An unattended cremation or direct cremation, now favoured by 20% of the UK population*, has quickly become the most popular alternative. They take place without mourners or a funeral service. After the cremation the family has the option to host a memorial service.
Many like the idea of an unattended cremation because it allows the family to have a memorial service which is separate from the cremation itself.
* SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024,sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
More about unattended cremation
Attended cremations
A small or private attended cremation, sometimes referred to as a family-led funeral, is a funeral with a small attended service designed and guided by the family of the deceased, without a celebrant or religious minister. The choice of how the service looks is entirely with the family.
A small, attended cremation or family-led funeral is an intimate affair usually favoured by those looking to say farewell in a straightforward way. There is no procession and the service can be as traditional or non-traditional as the family want.
More about attended cremations
Natural burial
Natural burials are a type of green funeral which are fast becoming a popular choice to an alternative funeral as people become more environmentally aware. A natural burial, occasionally referred to as a woodland burial or green burial, is where the deceased is buried at a green burial site in a natural coffin or shroud.
A green burial site is often in a forest, meadow or wooded area. Currently in the UK, these aren’t especially common, however they are increasing in availability as demand increases.
More about green funerals
How is a funeral with Distinct Cremations different?
Choosing a simple, no fuss funeral instead of a traditional cremation lets you celebrate a loved one’s life however you wish, with less stress and no fuss.
You can see the key differences between a simple, no fuss funeral and a traditional funeral in more detail below.
A simple funeral with Distinct Cremations
The contemporary, simple, fuss-free farewell, free of tradition
- A choice of two options: an unattended cremation with no mourners present or an attended cremation
- A compassionate, attentive team there 24/7 for your questions and support with paperwork
- A service free of pomp and ceremony
- You can organise a separate memorial service that's personal and unique to your loved one
- On average 71% cheaper** than a traditional funeral, with prices starting from just £1,199
** 71% saving is based on the cost of a basic funeral at £4,141 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024,sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs) vs the cost of a Distinct Cremations direct cremation at £1,199
Traditional funeral
A fixed format funeral, with a set service
- A set format 20-50 minute service held in a traditional setting like a church or chapel with mourners present
- Traditionally less personal and flexible
- Option to have a procession with a hearse and limousines
- Funeral and service coordination from a funeral director
- Costs on average £4,141# for a basic funeral
# The average cost of a basic funeral in 2023 (SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2024,sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs)
Get in touch with us today
Whether you're wanting to arrange a funeral today, interested in funeral plans, or looking for something else, our customer service specialists are here for you 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
Call on 01543 211997
Other helpful articles
Below are a few more resources that you may be interested in.
Do you have to use a funeral director?
It is possible to organise a funeral yourself without a funeral director. If you choose to arrange a funeral without a funeral director, there are a number of key elements that you’ll need to take into consideration.
Do you have to use a funeral director?
Arrange a funeral with Distinct
At Distinct Cremations, we provide no fuss funerals which are simple to arrange, affordable and delivered with care, dignity and respect. Prices start from just £1,199 if you need to arrange a funeral today.
Arrange a funeral
We offer the highest level of support, but don't take our word for it
Below are a selection of reviews from those who followed their instinct with Distinct and chose to buy a funeral with us.
5/5
Based on 724 reviews
Read all our reviews
Linda 24 Jul 2024
Excellent service throughout.
Werner 12 Jul 2024
Friendly, pulite and simply SUPER
Nikki 10 Jul 2024
There was nothing too difficult or no question too silly. Every care was taken with all the arrangements and I was kept up to date at all times. I sent through items which were quickly handled and was notified of their receipt and the actions made with them.Even changing things was never too much of a problem.
John 27 Jun 2024
It was polite, patient and thorough. i was given as much time as I needed to reach a decision.Completely
Anon 27 Jun 2024
The service was first class. Signing up was easy to complete and the follow up call to ensure every thing was as we had expected was a nice personal touch.
Anon 30 May 2024
first class
Mark 21 May 2024
Excellent communication, very helpful and we got just what we wanted in a service.Highly recommended and we will use again.Mark Oliver
Anon 2 May 2024
Service very efficient, and comprehensive. Understandably, you "chased me up" when there was a delay in my response to place an order, but this delay was whilst I contacted all those relatives who might have had a view to express.
5/5
Based on 724 reviews
Read all our reviews
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Westerleigh Group including Distinct Cremations performed over 27,000 direct cremations in 2023.
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Oak Tree Court, Brookfield Drive, Cannock, WS11 0JN