Pure Cremations

120 Posts

My partner and I have been talking about the unthinkable, and the best laid plans to cope if the unthinkable did in if fact become a reality.
Neither of us want fancy funerals. Burials don't appeal at all, which leaves cremations.
We have been to various traditional cremations over the last few years, and although very professional and delicately handled from start to finish, both of us are of the same mind in that we find the entire process too over elaborate and in some instances unnecessary. Which may also explain why such cremations are hugely expensive even with insurance.
But recently my partner was told about pure cremations, where a lot of the "window dressing" as she calls it, is excluded and you just end up with a bare bones cremation (no pun intended), no service and as far as she could tell, no one attends the cremation (although for a fee this can be reversed for up to 12 attendees)
The cost of such a funeral is supposedly more than half that of a traditional funeral (so anything up to £2k at today's prices). But I worry about the stigma attached to the entire concept. In other words what would friends, family and relations think of what they would call a "pauper's funeral"
Personally I don't mind having a pure cremation, and neither does my partner. But I just wondered if anyone on here has an opinion not just about the possible stigma, but the actual pure cremation process as a whole?
Thank you
Neither of us want fancy funerals. Burials don't appeal at all, which leaves cremations.
We have been to various traditional cremations over the last few years, and although very professional and delicately handled from start to finish, both of us are of the same mind in that we find the entire process too over elaborate and in some instances unnecessary. Which may also explain why such cremations are hugely expensive even with insurance.
But recently my partner was told about pure cremations, where a lot of the "window dressing" as she calls it, is excluded and you just end up with a bare bones cremation (no pun intended), no service and as far as she could tell, no one attends the cremation (although for a fee this can be reversed for up to 12 attendees)
The cost of such a funeral is supposedly more than half that of a traditional funeral (so anything up to £2k at today's prices). But I worry about the stigma attached to the entire concept. In other words what would friends, family and relations think of what they would call a "pauper's funeral"
Personally I don't mind having a pure cremation, and neither does my partner. But I just wondered if anyone on here has an opinion not just about the possible stigma, but the actual pure cremation process as a whole?
Thank you
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I would certainly not care what people think about going for a cheap option.
When I started ringing round people telling of his passing - obviously they tend to ask about the funeral arrangements and I sensed an overwhelming air of relief when I said there wasn't going to be one, but we'd have a BBQ or party when times were more suitable. I don't think most people like going to funerals (and it often necessitates travel or time off work) and I asked people to pour a drink and sit in their gardens - either quietly or listening to something loud and inappropriate - and raise a glass to him instead. Many people reported back that they did just that - I like that idea very much better - he certainly would.
The one person I really expected to have a problem with (and I was mentally preparing for a heated battle with her) just said "thank goodness, I hate funerals and I was really dreading it". One other elderly family member was very disapproving and rather tactless in their comments at the time and rang me back after about a week to apologise as when she'd thought through what I'd said and the reasons for it, decided it was a much better idea and has since said she'd like the same.
However, the lovely bereavement team at the hospital warned that it might take a while for the company to collect the body(as in 2-3 weeks not unknown). They then suggested the council 'affordable cremation'. All dealt with 'in house' between hospital, coroner and crematorium and I was kept informed all the way. Possible to have up to 10 mourners present if wanted.
Cost - £700
Definitely worth considering even more so now I think. I'm only in my late 20s and death and funerals isn't something I should be worrying about. But I'd rather take out insurance and tell everyone what I now want in terms of a direct cremation
Thanks again