Direct Cremation and COVID-19

The coronavirus crisis has had a significant impact on funeral arrangements.

Where mourners were allowed to attend a funeral, the numbers were tightly restricted. Only immediate family members who weren't in any of the high-risk categories or self-isolating were advised to attend. Social distancing guidelines applied even at the service, keeping bereaved families apart, while it was recommended that vulnerable family members and friends watch via video live streams.

In March 2020, Leeds City Council took the unprecedented step of cancelling bookings for its crematorium chapels, stating that it would only accept direct cremations, with no service and no mourners in attendance. The Council permitted up to 10 family members to attend the crematorium grounds to see the coffin being taken into the crematorium, with the option for the officiant to deliver a short service outside.

Despite this, it’s important to note that this level of restrictions was not commonplace, with the majority of crematoria allowing small numbers of mourners to attend while observing the government guidelines.

As the coronavirus continued to spread and we saw an increase in related deaths, so too did we see an increase in direct cremations, sometimes called unattended funerals. This was to protect the health of families and the staff involved in conducting funerals.

Direct Cremations increasing in the UK

Where a direct cremation has been chosen, the deceased is collected from the place of death and taken into the care of the funeral director. Some funeral directors can arrange family viewings, which may incur an extra charge. The funeral director will then transport the deceased to the crematorium where an unattended committal will be held*.

According to the Sun Life Cost of Dying Report 2024, 20% of the total number of funerals in 2023 were direct cremations. The report states that awareness of this alternative and affordable funeral option is growing and that direct cremation is becoming increasingly popular.

As there’s no need to arrange a suitable time for a funeral ceremony, funeral directors can reduce costs by being flexible in terms of the time and location of the direct cremation. Additionally, the expenses associated with conventional funeral services, such as flowers, cars and orders of service, don’t apply.

Although direct cremation means the service itself is unattended, some families choose to hold a celebration of life or memorial for their loved one at a different place and time.

While direct cremation offers a lower cost alternative, some people believe that a funeral service is an important step in the grieving process, as it helps family and friends accept that their loved one is gone.

Funerals are undoubtedly a very personal choice and funeral directors are best placed to offer guidance to ensure families can make an informed decision.

*Although there are normally no family or friends present, witnesses to the cremation are generally allowed.

COVID-19 funerals

Some families that lost a loved one during the coronavirus outbreak may have been left with no choice but to opt for direct cremation due to the restrictions on funerals.

These restrictions have now been lifted across the UK and have been replaced with guidance to help the public stay safe and reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.

For more information on current guidance in your area, please see:

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