Pure Cremation Review

Owned and managed by funeral directors with over 30 years experience, Pure Cremation was launched in 2016 as the requirement for simple direct cremations without an actual funeral service grew.

Based in Newbury, Berkshire, Pure Cremation offer their direct cremation services throughout England and Wales, utilising the services of a number of crematoriums. They are also currently in the process of building their own purpose built crematorium and use solid pine eco coffins and biodegradable urns for ashes as part of the management of their carbon footprint.   

Owning their own crematorium, which is due to open for direct cremation in December 2018 will mean Pure Cremation will handle every part of the service offered; from collection by one of the experienced fleet of drivers to hand delivery of ashes.

Pure cremation offer two forms of direct cremation service; an ‘at need’ service for people who wish to arrange a simple cremation funeral for someone who has just died and a ‘prepaid direct cremation plan’ for those wanting to plan for the future. For the purposes of this direct funeral plan review we will concentrate mainly on the ‘Prepaid’ option, however for those who are looking to arrange a direct funeral straight away, here are some brief details on the service provided:

At need service – The ‘at need’ package is a simple direct cremation without a funeral service. For a one off cost of £1,195, the service includes collection from any hospital or coroner’s mortuary in England and Wales, cremation fees and doctor’s fees if applicable; a solid pine eco coffin and either the scattering of ashes in a garden of remembrance or return of ashes by hand delivery if preferred.

Additional costs of £250 are incurred when collection is from home, a nursing home or hospice any time of the day or night.

Prepaid cremation plan – the prepaid plan is £1,595 and includes the services required for a simple direct cremation in the future, again without a funeral service.

The plan includes collection anywhere throughout England and Wales 24 hours a day; cremation fees and doctor’s fees if they apply, a solid pine eco coffin and the return or scattering of the ashes.

With both options any additional charges for ferry crossing from the Isle of Wight or Isle of Man would need to also be paid for.

You can find out more about direct funerals on our main direct cremation page.

The includes all of the services as listed and doesn’t charge for transportation anywhere throughout England and Wales, which is different to many direct funeral plans that charge when collection is made from the home or nursing home.

The professional fees are fully guaranteed with nothing more to pay and they include an allowance for the cremation fees and doctor’s fees if applicable (the law is soon to change which means these latter fees won’t be relevant in the near future).

If these third party fees are above the allowance, which is based on the price Pure Cremation currently pay for these services, there could be more to pay however they state that this is unlikely due to their purchasing power and the performance and growth of the trust fund.  

When you pay for a Pure Cremation direct funeral plan your money is ethically invested in a trust fund, which is a completely separate entity. Therefore if anything were to happen to Pure Cremation, the trust fund remains intact and will either use another company to carry out your direct cremation services, refund the money paid in minus the admin fee or pay the current value of the plan to a funeral director chosen by your family.

The money can only be removed from the trust fund if you cancel the direct funeral plan or on death – in which instance a copy of the death certificate would be required.

Pure Cremation are also in the process of registering with the Funeral Planning Authority which means your money will also be protected by their Safeguards.

With a Single Payment

You can choose to pay in one go or spread your payments over 6 months without incurring any additional fees. This is the cheapest way to buy a Pure Cremation funeral plan.

Monthly Instalments

If you do prefer to spread your costs over a longer period, you can pay for your plan over 1, 2, 3 4, or 5 years.

You do pay extra for spreading your costs over a longer period but this might appeal to those who want to stick to a budget.

As long as you are 18 or above you can buy a plan.

You can cancel your direct cremation prepaid plan at anytime. If you cancel within your initial 14 day review period you will receive a complete refund. If you cancel after this period you will receive your money back, minus the admin fee of £350.

If you move the direct funeral plan moves with you at no extra cost, as long as it is within England or Wales. Just let Pure Cremation know your new address and they will update your details at no extra cost.