Please contact a Variety Consultant 24-hours day with any questions you may have.
Below are questions we are most frequently asked that you may find helpful.
To help you find the answer to your question we have divided the frequently asked questions into seven categories:
Variety Solo
Variety Solo is a direct unattended cremation which means there are no mourners in attendance at the crematorium.
A direct unattended cremation is a cremation only funeral meaning there is no funeral service. This provides family and loved ones the opportunity to focus on celebrating the life of the deceased in their own way.
This may include a personal goodbye in familiar surroundings such as a local pub or park, perhaps it may be further afield at a holiday destination or area of beauty.
A direct unattended cremation is a less complicated send off and a lower price option so your money can be spent on what is right for you.
Fast becoming the ‘peoples choice’ a direct unattended cremation is an increasingly popular option and includes the provision of the deceased ashes for the family.
No. Variety Solo is a direct unattended cremation meaning there are no mourners present.
If you would like to attend the cremation the Variety Plus package may be a better choice for you.
Variety Plus
Variety Plus does not limit the number of attendees.
The majority of crematoria can accommodate at least 100 people seated plus standing room.
Many crematoria offer budget rates for services held before 10am, some crematoria restrict the number of attendees at these rates. Please speak to your Variety Consultant for further information.
The service time varies by crematoria and is typically 30 to 40 minutes.
Many crematoria offer budget rates for services held before 10am, some crematoria restrict the service time at these rates. Please speak to your Variety Consultant for further information.
The exact appearance of the coffin will vary by region, below are 2 images that are typical of the standard coffin that Variety Funerals™ use.
Yes. Flowers can be arranged for attended Variety Plus cremations when a service is to take place at the crematorium. All our clients benefit from Variety VIP that includes discounts for floral arrangements. Please speak to your Variety Consultant about your requirements.
An order of service is not mandatory for attended cremations and is optional. Should you require an order of service all our clients benefit from Variety VIP that includes discounts for order of service – there are many designs to choose from, you can choose the number of pages and photos you wish to include.
Yes. Variety Plus is an attended cremation at a Lower Price. You can choose for the service to take place at any crematoria you wish, in England and Wales, which is where the deceased will be cremated as well.
Yes. Crematoria have music systems that hold extensive music catalogues so you can choose the music you would like to be played during the service in additional to music pieces for mourners entering and the crematorium and for their exit. Music is included in the charge for cremation fees.
Yes, the majority of crematoria provide facilities for visual tributes and webcasts (also known as streaming). The service can be recorded for live streaming and for the service to be viewed at a later date. The price for these services varies by crematoria, please ask your Variety Consultant about prices at your chosen crematorium.
Prices and Payment
We offer lower prices than many mainstream providers and regularly compare our rates to ensure you receive the most affordable options.
Here at Variety Funerals, we offer several convenient ways to settle the cost of your loved one’s funeral:
- Credit or Debit Card: You can use a credit or debit card for payment by phone.
- Bank Transfer: We accept bank transfers for your convenience.
- Third-Party Payments: If applicable, payments can be made directly from the deceased’s bank account, through a funeral finance company, or the Department of Work and Pensions.
Payment in full is required before the cremation takes place.
There are different options available when you purchase a Variety Funerals™ pre-paid funeral plan.
Yes. Variety Plus can include a committal instead of a full service. A committal is a small gathering for approximately 15 minutes that can include music. Many crematoria provide this option and charge a lower fee. Please ask your Variety Consultant for more information.
If you do not wish to attend the cremation the Variety Solo package may be a better choice for you.
Ashes (cremated remains)
Yes. The ashes, also known as cremated remains, will be available for you to collect from the crematorium 2 working days after the cremation taking place. If you would prefer for the ashes to be returned to you by private driver this can be arranged for an additional cost.
Ashes are typically provided in a suitable eco box, the ashes are in a sealed bag inside the box.
Yes. If you like an urn this can be delivered to the crematorium where the cremation is taking place for the ashes to be put in to. You can choose any urn you wish and pay the advertised price plus any associated delivery charges.
Each cremation takes place individually, the deceased is cremated in their own coffin. The cremators are built to hold a single coffin. Crematoria are very clean, sanitised environments that have rigorous systems in place to ensure the highest levels of hygiene and the correct labelling so you can be guaranteed that the ashes provided for family are that of the deceased they have arranged the cremation for.
Ashes (also known as cremated remains) can be split into more than 1 container should this be required by the family.
It is legal to scatter ashes almost anywhere in the UK, however certain locations may require the permission of the landowner or Environment Agency.
Should you wish to scatter the ashes abroad it is recommended that you find out the rules for scattering ashes in that country.
You may choose to have the ashes of the deceased on display or kept in a safe place. You can also choose all or part of the ashes to be incorporated into art work, jewellery, sculptures, a memorial cuddly toy and even tattoos.
Ashes can be interred in your garden or in a family plot.
Another option is for ashes to be released in to space or sent to the moon.
Additional choices can include utilisation of ashes into paperweights and pencils.
Alternatively you can have the ashes scattered in the gardens or remembrance where the cremation has taken place, this option is included in the Variety Funerals™ price.
Funeral Arrangements
There a number of factors that can influence when the cremation will take place, such as if a post mortem is required, however we estimate within 2 to 3 weeks. We only arrange the cremation date on a day agreed with you in advance.
The deceased is cared for and cremated in the clothing dressed in at the time we collect or a coffin gown.
If you would like the deceased to be dressed in specific clothing please arrange for this to be with the deceased for when we collect. We will have the deceased dressed in your preferred clothing for no additional charge.
No, the exact appearance of the coffin will vary by region and will be one of the following:
- a dignified, black oak effect foil veneer coffin with a glossy satin finish, matching handles, and a lined interior with pillow and white taffeta frill.
- a light oak effect veneer coffin with brass effect handles and a lined interior with pillow and taffeta frill.
Variety Funerals™ do not provide a viewing service. If you would like to view please arrange to do so before we collect the deceased.
General Questions
Embalming is a mortuary practise to preserve the body of the deceased that began in England in the 18th century before electricity was in use. Now in the 21st century we have the use of refrigeration to preserve the deceased and therefore embalming is not required for this purpose and therefore not included.
No. Variety Funerals™ arranges cremations for persons over the age of 18 years old.
There are a number of funeral directors that provide their service for funeral arrangements for babies and children for free which Variety Funerals™ can provide details of, should you require.
Yes, all arrangements can be made in advance. If the person is in end of life care or expected to pass away in the next few months it is usually more cost effective to pay for the funeral when the person has passed. If this is not the case you may wish to explore the benefits of a pre-paid funeral plan.
Included in Variety VIP are Variety Guides to provide you with the information you need to know about what to do when someone dies.
Any items of jewellery worn by the deceased at the time we collect can be returned to you.
Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, converts the body’s tissues and cells into a watery solution of molecules — in other words, it dissolves the body — leaving behind just the bones.
The process involves placing the corpse in a torpedo-like metal chamber where it is liquefied and then flushed down the drain.
There are concerns about flushing the waste water used as part of the alkaline hydrolysis process down the sewers which has resulted in certain water companies objecting to such cremation facilities being installed.
Variety Funerals™ do not provide water cremations. All Variety Funerals™ are carried out using cremation chambers that hold one deceased person exposed to intense heat to turn the person who has died into ashes (also known as cremated remains).
Yes. A funeral director is a professional involved in the business of funerals. Variety Funerals™ is a specialist funeral director providing cremations at a Lower Price. We do not provide burials or a branch based service which are typically higher in costs.
All of our clients benefit from Variety VIP that includes Exceptional Service and planting of a Tree in honour of the deceased.
Our cremations are provided at a Lower Price and all enable you to choose the cremation date.
No. Variety Funerals™ are only able to look after cremation requirements, including the return of cremated remains, in England and Wales.
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
For questions about Variety Funerals™ pre-paid funeral plans, please visit the funeral plans page.
All of our customers benefit from Variety VIP that includes Exceptional Service 24-hours a day, read what out customers have to say:
Variety Funerals are here to provide exceptional service at lower prices. All Variety Clients receive Variety VIP that includes a tree planted in honour of the deceased and a free tribute website for loved ones to upload memories of the deceased and light candles.
