At a Glance: Memoria Direct Cremation
- Provider type: UK funeral plan and funeral services provider.
- Main offering: Direct cremation funeral plan.
- Funeral type: Unattended cremation (no service).
- Price: £1,595 (one-off payment).
- Payment options: Single upfront payment by credit/debit card or Direct Debit.
- Pricing guarantee: Fully guaranteed — no future increases for services included.
- Independent ratings:
- Excellent rating on Trustpilot (4.9★, 3,400+ reviews).
- Five-star rating from Fairer Finance.
- Operations: Owns and operates crematoria across England, Scotland and Wales.
- Best for: People seeking a simple, low-cost direct cremation with high standards of care.
- Not suitable for: Those wanting an attended service or traditional funeral ceremony.
What Funeral Plans Does Memoria Direct Cremation Offer?
Memoria’s funeral plan offering is deliberately focused, avoiding multiple tiers or optional extras that can complicate decision-making.
Direct Cremation Plan
Memoria’s core product is a Direct Cremation Plan, which means:
- There is no attended funeral service.
- The cremation takes place at a time chosen by the provider.
- Ashes are returned to the family following cremation.
This option suits people who prefer a private farewell or who plan to hold a separate memorial at a later date. Memoria owns and operates its own network of crematoria and works with selected partners, giving it direct control over the standards of care they are able to provide, whilst also keeping costs low.
What’s Included – and What’s Not
What’s included
Memoria’s Direct Cremation Plan includes all essential services required for a dignified unattended cremation:
- Specialist family support is available 24 hours a day.
- Dignified cremation at a Memoria crematorium or approved partner.
- Choice of music while the coffin rests in the chapel.
- Support with all arrangements and paperwork.
- Collection of the deceased from anywhere in mainland UK.
- Professional care in a mortuary, including the removal of pacemakers.
- Quality wood coffin (including larger sizes where required).
- Online funeral notice
- Hand delivery of ashes to the family, or scattering in memorial gardens.
Memoria states that every plan is carried out to high professional standards, with dignity and respect at every stage.
What’s not included
As this is a direct cremation, the following are not included:
- An attended funeral service.
- Hearse, limousine or flowers.
- Embalming or viewing of the deceased.
- Choice of crematorium.
Many families choosing Memoria Direct Cremation arrange a separate memorial or celebration of life independently.
Pricing, Guarantees and Value
Memoria’s Direct Cremation Plan is priced at £1,595, payable as a single upfront payment.
Fully guaranteed pricing
Once purchased, the cost of the services outlined in the plan will not increase. This protects customers from future rises in funeral costs for the elements covered.
Clear, up-front pricing
Memoria’s Direct Cremation pricing is presented clearly, with no hidden extras for the services included in the plan. What you see is what you pay. It is currently the lowest-priced top-rated plan in the UK.
Cooling-off period and cancellation
- 30-day full refund period if you change your mind.
- After this, a fixed £95 cancellation fee applies.
This low cancellation charge (the fixed fee normally ranges from £125-275 depending on the provider) provides reassurance and flexibility compared with many prepaid funeral plans.
How costs are kept low
By owning and operating its own crematoria, Memoria Direct Cremation avoids many third-party costs. This allows it to keep prices lower while remaining in full control of service standards and care.
Memoria Direct Cremation doesn’t advertise on TV or have physical branches \- this also allows them to keep their costs lower than other providers.
How this compares in context
According to the SunLife Cost of Dying Report, the average cost of a traditional UK funeral with a service is £4,000–£4,500+, before optional extras
Memoria’s price is significantly lower because:
- There is no attended service.
- Third-party costs are tightly controlled.
- The plan focuses solely on cremation.
For people who value simplicity and affordability, this represents very good value for money.
Trustpilot Score and Customer Reviews
Memoria Direct Cremation has an excellent reputation among customers, reflected in its 4.9★ Trustpilot rating from over 3,400 reviews. Feedback consistently highlights clear communication, compassion and thoughtful personal touches.
Below are three of the most recent verified Trustpilot reviews, shortened only where necessary for clarity. Customer names and dates appear after each quote.
“Memoria were incredibly easy to talk to and explained everything step by step. We felt fully supported and could contact them whenever we needed. The personal touches, like receiving a seed to plant in my mother’s memory and being able to have her ashes returned in two separate boxes, meant a great deal to us. We were kept updated throughout and couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
— Laura Mason, 22nd November 2025
“The staff were extremely helpful, professional and caring at every step. The small gestures, such as the forget-me-nots sent in the post and the keepsakes made from my mum’s fingerprints and hair, were a beautiful touch. Thank you to everyone involved.”
— Carol Dowsing, 10 December 2025
“I received outstanding service over the phone and all my questions were answered clearly. I now have peace of mind knowing that everything is in place and that it will be as stress-free as possible for my daughter when the time comes.”
— A Peters, 17th December 2025
Pros and Cons
Pros
✅ Very high customer satisfaction.
✅ Clear, simple, direct cremation offering.
✅ Compassionate service frequently praised in reviews.
✅ No pressure to add unnecessary extras.
Cons
❌ No attended funeral or ceremony option.
❌ Limited flexibility compared with full-service plans.
❌ Not suitable for families wanting a traditional service.
How Memoria Direct Cremation Compares to Other Types of Funeral Plans?
Memoria sits firmly within the direct cremation segment of the funeral plan market. Compared with traditional prepaid funeral plans, it offers:
- Lower upfront costs and less expense overall.
- Fewer decisions and less complexity.
- A more streamlined experience.
For families who want a service, procession or viewing, a full-service funeral plan may be more appropriate. Memoria’s strength lies in offering a dignified but simple alternative.
Does Memoria Direct Cremation offer good value for money?
Memoria Direct Cremation offers very good value for people who specifically want a direct cremation and are comfortable without an attended service.
At £1,595, the plan sits well below the average cost of a traditional funeral, which typically exceeds £4,000 once a service and third-party costs are included. The plan and the service received is very highly rated by customers. The lower price reflects a clear trade-off: fewer ceremonial elements in exchange for a simpler, more affordable arrangement.
Where Memoria Direct Cremation stands out in value is consistency. Reviews suggest families feel well supported throughout the process, with no pressure to add extras and no surprises around what is or isn’t included.
However, for those who want a service, viewing, or greater flexibility around location and ceremony, a higher-priced full-service funeral plan may be better.
In short, Memoria Direct Cremation represents excellent value when simplicity is the priority, but it is not designed to compete with traditional funeral plans on ceremony or customisation.
Who is Memoria Direct Cremation best for?
Memoria Direct Cremation is well-suited to:
- People who want a simple, unattended cremation.
- Those comfortable arranging a separate memorial.
- Families prioritising affordability and clarity.
- Anyone seeking a modern, no-fuss approach.
It may not be suitable for those who want a traditional funeral service or extensive customisation. The sister company Memoria Funeralsmay be a better option for those seeking a personalised, attended farewell
Final Verdict
Memoria Direct Cremation is a very strong option for people seeking a simple direct cremation supported by consistently high customer satisfaction.
It's excellent 4.9★ Trustpilot rating reflects a service many families describe as compassionate, professional and reassuring during a difficult time.
Their ownership of crematoria does allow significant cost savings, but more importantly, gives Memoria control over the high standards of care that they are consistently praised for by customers and their families. Being part of a group that has other expert teams in attended funerals as well as direct cremation means if you’re not sure what type of funeral plan you want, you can get full guidance to help you make the right choice for you.
Memoria Direct Cremation delivers exactly what it promises: a simple, dignified cremation with clear pricing and minimal complexity. For the right audience, it offers a compelling and reassuring choice.