Direct cremations: the no-fuss funeral option to think about

Depart from the conventional rituals of a sombre funeral and think about the simplicity and efficiency of Australia’s fastest-growing funeral option - a direct cremation. Citro partner Gathered Here explains.  

By Citro partner Gathered Here

Direct cremations offer an alternative to the traditional funeral. 

With a direct cremation, there’s no formal funeral but you can arrange a memorial ceremony whenever, and wherever, you like. 

With a direct cremation, the person who died is cremated in a private service, without any attendees. Then, their ashes are returned to the family.

Some families arrange a memorial later, when they’re ready, but others choose not to hold a ceremony at all.

This flexibility is one of the reasons why direct cremations are becoming more popular.

Families aren’t under pressure to arrange a funeral immediately after their loved one dies and, if they do plan a memorial, they have more freedom with where and when it’s held.

What is direct cremation?

A direct cremation is a cremation which takes place without a formal funeral ceremony beforehand. Direct cremations are the fastest growing funeral option in Australia.

Although there is no traditional funeral, many families choose to arrange a memorial at a later date. This gives them the freedom to plan a ceremony wherever and whenever they like.

As there is no funeral ceremony, the average cost of a direct cremation is significantly lower than the average cost of a funeral.

Read 6 quirky ideas for a final farewell for other ideas to say goodbye to a loved one.

How does a direct cremation work?

When you choose a direct cremation, your loved one’s body will be collected and taken to the crematorium. In some cases, you can include mementos or letters to be cremated with them.

Their body is then placed in a simple coffin and cremated in a private service conducted by a trusted professional. Afterwards, the person’s ashes are returned to the family.

Unlike a traditional cremation, no public service takes place beforehand.

The difference between cremation and direct cremation?

There are three few key differences between a traditional cremation and a direct cremation.

No service. Traditional cremations are usually accompanied by a funeral service, which takes place immediately before the cremation itself. With direct cremations, there is no funeral service but friends and family members may choose to arrange a memorial afterwards.

Lower cost. Direct cremations cost considerably less than a funeral. A direct cremation arranged through Gathered Here costs $1,799* in NSW. In comparison, our research shows that the average cost of a traditional cremation in NSW is $6,046.

Greater freedom. If you decide to hold a memorial after your loved one has been cremated, you have greater freedom around the location and scope of the ceremony.

How much does a direct cremation cost?

Our research shows the average price of a direct cremation is $3,513. However, you can arrange a direct cremation in NSW through Gathered Here for $1,799*.

The service will be conducted by one of Gathered Here’s top-rated funeral direct partners, for less than their standard rate.

As Australia’s largest funeral comparison marketplace, we’ve built a trusted network of over 1,000 funeral directors. We leverage that network to bring you direct cremations from the best funeral directors, at a lower average cost.

Get a funeral quote through Citro and Gathered Here can arrange the cremation with a top-rated funeral director. You’ll get the same high-quality service but at a lower price.

Booking online means no need to visit a funeral director either. Just request a quote and one of our empathetic team members will be in touch to walk you through the entire process, all from the comfort of your own home.

When the time comes, we’ll collect your loved one and return their ashes to you after the cremation. We’re making it simple and streamlined so you have one less thing to worry about.

Benefits of a direct cremation

There are lots of benefits to organising a direct cremation. Here are just a few:

Less stress. Losing a loved one is hard enough without having to rush to arrange a funeral. With a direct cremation, you can plan a memorial once the initial pain has passed.

More freedom. A church or crematorium just doesn’t suit some people. By holding a memorial after the cremation, you can plan something that reflects who they were.

Lower cost. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to give your loved one a special farewell. Direct cremations cost significantly less than traditional cremations with a funeral.

^{Advice given in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. It is not intended to influence readers' decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.}