Direct Cremation – An Ill Wind?
Direct cremation… most people thought it was:
the latest craze
something that would disappear once Covid ended
a ‘pauper’s funeral’ that only the poor would choose
or that it would destroy the funeral industry altogether
The thing is, I’m not sure any of those statements — so often repeated in the press — are true.
It turns out that cost isn’t the only reason people choose direct cremation. Here are some of the reasons families tell us are influencing their decisions:
it’s easier, quicker, and with no fuss
the 40-minute service at the crematorium feels unnecessary
they don’t feel the need for a ‘traditional’ funeral
they want to move the focus of remembrance to the ashes ceremony
and there are now more venues offering meaningful memorial gatherings
The term Direct Cremation itself varies depending on who you speak to. For some, it’s simply the “hospital–morgue–crematorium–ashes back to the family” model. Others interpret it differently — perhaps with a few attendees, a private viewing before an unattended cremation, or a committal somewhere special. Essentially, customers want more choice.
It’s not the death knell of the traditional funeral. There’s room for everything — from horse-drawn carriages to private ambulances and everything in between. People just don’t want to be forced into a one-size-fits-all option, and those who insist on that may see their business wither.
For me, the bigger issue is communication — or the lack of it. Parents may want to save money so more goes to the children, while those left behind want to honour the person properly. Yet, they rarely talk about it or make their wishes clear in their wills.
Like most genies, direct cremation isn’t going back in its bottle. The funeral industry will need to adapt. Those who do will thrive; those who don’t may not be around for long. As my mum always said, “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good.” It’s taken me years to understand what she meant — but it feels very apt here.