A direct cremation is a cremation that takes place without a memorial ceremony. In a direct cremation, the body is collected, the cremation is performed unattended, and the ashes are returned together with a Certificate of Cremation issued by the crematorium where the cremation took place.
In a direct cremation, there is no longer the need to combine the cremation and the remembrance ceremony. Instead, the cremation is performed independently, unattended, and when the ashes are returned, you are then free to organise a separate memorial ceremony in your time, as you see fit.
Because a direct cremation is unattended and simple to organise, it is much cheaper than a conventional funeral, which is a much more complex and costly affair. A traditional funeral in England costs on average in excess of £4,000 plus the cost of the ceremony. A traditional funeral also needs to take place shortly after the death, placing even more stress on the family.