Considering cremation? Understand “cremation only” – a simpler & affordable alternative to traditional services. Variety Funerals™ offers Variety Solo (cremation only) & Variety Plus (cremation with service). Learn more and plan a meaningful farewell.
Cremation Only vs. Traditional Cremation: Key Differences
Cremation only, also known as a direct cremation (meaning there is no service or attendance) is a simpler and more affordable alternative to a traditional cremation with a funeral service. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
| Cremation Only | Traditional Funeral | |
|---|---|---|
| Collection of the deceased | |
|
| Funeral professional services | |
|
| Care of deceased prior to cremation | |
|
| Viewing at the chapel of rest | |
Varies |
| Choice of date | |
|
| Choice of time | |
|
| Coffin | Simple | Varies |
| Transportation | |
|
| Provision of hearse and bearers | |
|
| Limousine(s) | |
|
| Officiant | |
|
| Attendance | |
|
| Service | |
|
Variety Funerals™ cremation only package is Variety Solo which also includes Variety VIP, for more information about Variety VIP please tap here.
Both cremation only and traditional funerals include collection of the deceased. The Variety National service includes collection from a hospital, coroner or mortuary and is included in all Variety Funerals™ cremation packages. When collection is require from a care home or private residence the Variety Premium service is an additional charge and includes collection 24 hours a day 365 days a year from anywhere in England and Wales.
Variety Funerals™ attended cremation package is Variety Plus which also includes Variety VIP and the price of £1,290 is a saving of over £500. To find out more about Variety Savings please tap here.
Both Variety Solo and Variety Plus include funeral professional services and care of the deceased prior to the cremation. Variety Funerals™ cremation packages do not include viewing and the majority of direct cremation providers do not provide a viewing service. Viewing is commonly provided by high street funeral directors that charge a higher price and specialise in traditional funerals.
Whereas many direct cremation providers do not provide a choice of date for cremation only funerals Variety Funerals™ do include a choice of date on both the Variety Solo and Variety Plus packages.
For Variety Solo the time of the cremation is allocated by Variety Funerals™ for cremation only funerals. For attended cremations the Variety Plus package includes a choice of date so that the service is held on a day and time convenient for the family.
For the cremation only Variety Solo package the time of the cremation will be notified to the family so that they are aware of the cremation time in advance.
The Variety Solo package includes a simple coffin which is typical of many direct cremation providers. For a traditional funeral the Variety Plus package includes a standard wood veneered coffin with brass effect handles and a name plate; high street funeral directors often offer a choice of coffin that are much more expensive.
Both cremation only and traditional funeral packages include transportation of the deceased to the crematorium. The Variety Plus package which is the attended cremation option from Variety Funerals™ does not include a hearse as standard. A hearse may be a traditional option for funerals however you are under no obligation to use one. To help keep our prices low we use a suitable vehicle and place the coffin in the crematorium chapel ready for when you arrive at the service. Should a hearse be required when you choose the Variety Plus package this can be provided at an additional cost.
Cremation only funerals do not include limousines because there is no attendance and as such transportation is not required for mourners. For traditional funerals the Variety Plus package offers limousines as an optional, chargeable, extra. A limousine can accommodate 6 to 7 people and is not a necessity; mourners can use their own transport, public transport or taxi.
An officiant is not included in a cremation only package because unlike a traditional funeral there is no attendance or service and therefore a religious leader or humanist celebrant is not required to officiate the service. Should you choose an attended cremation when you purchase Variety Plus, your Variety Consultant can arrange an officiant for you; although an officiant is not compulsory, family can conduct the service themselves or nominate a friend.
Cremation only is rapidly becoming the cremation of choice for many, for more information about Variety Solo, the Variety Funerals™ cremation only package please tap here.
