Arranging a cremation

What is a Cremation Funeral?

A cremation is when the remains of a person are turned into ashes using intense heat. This allows the family and friends to keep or scatted the ashes in the place of their choosing.

You will need a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and to register the death, but you also need a Confirmatory Medical Certificate signed by a different doctor and submit an application to the Cremation Authority.

The service in the crematorium usually lasts about 45 minutes but will differ between locations. The cremation service is usually comprised of favourite songs, eulogies and prayers.

Your appointed funeral director will then arrange for the return of the ashes.

If you have any questions about a cremation funeral, talk to your local Dignity Funeral Director so they can help.

What is the cost of a cremation funeral?

The average cost of a cremation in the UK is £3,885. This will include the crematorium’s fee, the minister or celebrant’s fee, the funeral director’s fee and any costs associated with the paperwork or forms needed for a cremation.

The cost of a basic funeral in England varies from around £5,235 in London, to an average of £4,488 in the Midlands. The average cost of a cremation in Northern Ireland is £3,222, while in Wales a cremation costs an average of £3,718 (Source: SunLife (2021), Cost of Dying Report, sunlife.co.uk/costofdying2021).

The cost of Cremation funeral services are usually broken down into the interment of ashes, Funeral Director's fees, doctor’s fees, minister or celebrants fees and cremation fees.

If you have any questions about cremation costs, talk to your local Dignity Funeral Director so they can help.

Planning a Cremation Service