When planning a funeral for someone we love, it can be easy to get caught up with high-value extras and emotional overspending. It’s because we want to get things “just right” and honour their memory by what feels most meaningful.
But when it comes to planning your own funeral, you might be more interested in keeping things simple. Not only for you, but so there’s less for your family to arrange.
A funeral is personal and everyone has their own wishes for saying goodbye. But it’s important to remember that a respectful farewell shouldn’t be defined by grand gestures. There are other ways to plan a funeral, with thoughtful choices and lower costs.
What is a direct cremation?
A direct cremation doesn’t have a service at the crematorium for mourners to attend.
Sometimes called a ‘no fuss funeral’, it is carried out with the same dignity and respect as a traditional cremation, but without the extras. For example, flowers, an organist or procession of funeral cars.
Instead, the funeral arranger will choose the crematorium and date of cremation. They will confirm the details with your loved ones, so they can mark it in their own way.
Afterwards, ashes can be scattered in the crematorium’s garden of remembrance, collected by loved ones or hand delivered to any home in mainland Great Britain.
It’s a simpler way to say goodbye that’s growing in popularity.
What does a funeral plan include?
A funeral plan is a practical way to prepare for the future. It allows you to choose the type of farewell you want and pay for it in advance. A Simplicity funeral plan covers all the essentials of a direct cremation, so there’s nothing left to be arranged when the time comes.
You won’t need to rely on anyone else to make funeral arrangements on your behalf or have them worry about the cost of doing so.
How do I tell people about my plan?
Many people still avoid conversations about end-of-life planning because it can be difficult to think about. In fact, according to Sunlife’s Cost of Dying Report, 18% of people are organising funerals without knowing any of their loved ones wishes. But it doesn’t need to be this way.
A light conversation prompted by a funeral plan can help you share your wishes and ease the burden on your loved ones. They won’t be left wondering how you wanted to be remembered or feel pressured to spend money on a service you may not have wanted.
You can also choose someone you trust to be a nominated representative on your plan. They will receive a copy of your funeral plan documents, so they know what you have in place.
Would it help reassure my family?
Planning a funeral for someone else comes with a lot of responsibility. This leaves more than half of people feeling under pressure, either to get things right in memory of their loved one or pressure from family to do things in a certain way.
Instead, you can make important decisions about your funeral and cover the costs ahead of time with a Simplicity funeral plan. All your family will need to do is notify Simplicity to action the plan when the time comes.
If your family would still like to hold a service in your memory, there’s lots of ways to do this. For example, a service at their local place of worship or a small gathering to scatter the ashes might feel more personal. It’s something they can plan themselves in their own time, separate from the cremation.
Is it more affordable than a traditional funeral?
With the cost of a traditional attended funeral rising by 146% over the last 22 years, it’s no surprise that 15% of families worry about money when paying for a funeral.
A direct cremation offers a more affordable way to say goodbye, that’s still respectful.
You can arrange a direct cremation funeral plan with Simplicity for just £1,799 when you pay in one go, or £1,899 when you pay in instalments over 24 months. Your money is then kept secure in one of the UK’s largest independent funeral trusts, giving you extra peace of mind.
Why should I choose Simplicity?
At Simplicity, we believe in straightforward funeral planning with simple arrangements and local care.
As one of UK’s largest cremation providers, we have a nationwide network of care centres and modern crematoria. This means there will likely be one close to you, so you know our care is never too far away.
We offer a quick set-up process online, where you fill out a few questions about yourself before purchasing your Simplicity funeral plan. Or if you would prefer to talk to a person, you can call our friendly experts on 0808 273 9499.
To get started, visit our website at www.simplicity.co.uk/funeralplans
Statistics have been sourced from Sunlife’s Cost of Dying Report 2026.
Important: The cost of a Simplicity Cremation funeral plan is £1,799 when paid as a single payment and an equivalent funeral purchased today from Simplicity Cremations is £1,839. Prices correct on 13 July 2026. Please refer to our fees and commission disclosure for further details at https://www.simplicity.co.uk/fees-and-commission-disclosure
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Simplicity Cremations is a trading name of Dignity Funerals Limited. Dignity Funerals Limited is a company registered in England No. 00041598. VAT registered No. 486 6081 14. Registered office: 4 King Edwards Court, King Edwards Square, Sutton Coldfield B73 6AP. Dignity Funerals Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under Firm Reference Number 967130.
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