Pure Cremation is the UK’s best-known direct cremation specialist, offering a simple, unattended alternative to a traditional funeral. With more than 19,000 reviews on Trustpilot and a 4.9★ rating, it has become the country’s largest provider in this growing sector.
This review is designed to help you understand Pure Cremation’s plans, costs and customer experience, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you or your family.
We touch on how Pure Cremation compares with Golden Leaves’ Copper Plan, another leading prepaid direct cremation option. The main focus is on Pure Cremation, but we highlight key differences where they matter.
Quick Summary:
Pure Cremation: From £1,795 prepaid. Includes collection, care, simple coffin, cremation fees, return or scattering of ashes, and doctor’s fees included. Instalments up to 12 months interest-free, or up to 60 months with charges. Trustpilot 4.9★ (19,000+ reviews).
Golden Leaves Copper Plan (for comparison): From £1,700. Includes collection, care, coffin, and cremation fees, but doctor’s fees are not included. Instalments up to 12 months interest-free, or up to 8 years with finance (charges apply). Trustpilot 4.8★ (5,110+ reviews).
In short: Pure Cremation is the UK’s most established direct cremation provider, with excellent customer satisfaction and doctor’s fees included as standard. Golden Leaves offers a similar price point with longer instalment options, but excludes doctor’s fees.
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Nationwide collection
Mainland UK included
Incl. Isle of Wight and Skye
Timescale
Ashes within 21 days
Cremation within 14 days
Own crematorium
Andover facility
Partner sites if require
What is Direct Cremation?
Direct cremation is a cremation without a funeral service or ceremony. It includes the collection of the deceased, cremation, and return or scattering of the ashes. Direct cremations are also sometimes called ‘unattended cremations’ or ‘unattended funerals’.
This just refers to the fact that family do not attend a ceremony at the crematorium. It doesn’t mean there is no one in attendance at the cremation – the professionals who work at the crematorium will be present, ensuring that a respectful and dignified cremation takes place.
What Is The Cost of Pure Cremation’s Direct Cremation?
Pure Cremation offers a range of direct cremation options designed to suit different budgets and preferences.
- Unattended direct cremation: Prices start from £1,495, covering the essential services required for a dignified cremation without mourners present.
- Attended direct cremations: Prices typically range from £1,790 to £2,390, depending on venue and number of attendees.
- Additional attended options: £395 for up to 12 people, £745 for up to 100 people, or from £995 at partner crematoria.
- All options include: Collection of the deceased anywhere in mainland Britain, professional care and preparation, a simple coffin, cremation fees, and hand-delivery of ashes (usually within 14 days) or respectful scattering in a Garden of Remembrance.
- Flexibility: The service allows families to arrange a separate memorial at a later date.
Pure Cremation - What’s Included/Not Included?
| Included |
Not Included |
Optional Extras |
| Collection from anywhere in mainland Britain (incl. Isle of Wight & Isle of Skye) |
Attended service (standard plan is unattended only) |
Use of the Oak Room at Andover crematorium for a personalised farewell |
| Transport in a private ambulance |
Choice of crematorium, date or time (set by Pure) |
|
| Care at Pure Cremation’s climate-controlled mortuary |
Hearse, limousines, flowers, obituary notices |
|
| Solid pine eco coffin (or equivalent) |
Repatriation from outside Great Britain |
|
| Ceramic identity disc (for ashes verification) |
|
|
| Cremation at Pure Cremation’s own crematorium in Andover (or a partner if required) |
|
|
| Doctor’s fees (medical certificates) |
|
|
| Ashes returned anywhere in mainland Britain by hand, or scattered in Pure Cremation’s Garden of Remembrance. |
|
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Pure Cremation vs Golden Leaves Copper Plan – Detailed Comparison
|
Feature |
Pure Cremation |
Golden Leaves – Copper Plan |
| Trustpilot rating |
4.9★ (19,000+ reviews) |
4.8★ (5,110+ reviews) |
| Plan type |
Prepaid direct cremation (FCA authorised) |
Prepaid direct cremation (FCA authorised) |
| Application |
Online, phone, or post |
Online, phone, or via local funeral director |
| Collection |
From home, care home, or hospital anywhere in mainland UK (incl. Isle of Wight & Skye) |
Nationwide collection (within working hours) |
| Cremation type |
Unattended cremation (at Andover crematorium or partner site) |
Unattended cremation |
| Coffin |
Simple solid pine eco coffin |
Simple coffin |
| Doctor’s fees |
Included |
Not included (~£164 extra if required) |
| Ashes |
Returned by hand anywhere in mainland UK, or scattered in Pure Cremation’s Garden of Remembrance |
Returned by hand or scattered at the crematorium |
| Timescale |
Cremation within 14 days of collection; ashes within 21 days |
Cremation within 14 days of collection; ashes within 21 days |
| Instalment options |
Pay in full • 12 months interest-free • Up to 10 years (charges apply) |
Pay in full • 12 months interest-free • Up to 8 years (finance, charges apply) |
| Extra charges |
Out-of-hours collection, expedited ashes delivery |
Out-of-hours collection, expedited ashes delivery |
Key Differences at a Glance
- Pure Cremation specialises exclusively in direct cremations and provides a nationwide service.
- Golden Leaves operates through a network of local, independent funeral directors and offers a broader range of prepaid funeral plans.
- Golden Leaves includes options for attended services in its higher-tier plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum), which Pure Cremation does not.
What Customers Say About Pure Cremation
“Pure Cremation is very straight forward in setting up & buying. Their overall cost is very fair & affordable. & all one has to do is see & read all the positive feedback they have received from untold amount of satisfied customers. Would I recommend them? Yes. Honestly.”
TrustPilot Review
“Efficient and easy to arrange two cremation plans online. However, when initially trying to decide which company to use, I simply asked for a quote. Because I did not proceed immediately I received a phone call and email within a very short space of time encouraging me to purchase. When I didn’t answer, messages were persistently left. It felt a bit like a hard sell. I just needed time to assess my options and on doing so found the service offered was the right one for me.”
TrustPilot Review
“The cremation plan was fully explained the follow up was very good with the paper work advice for making a Will and receipts for the payment. They made changes I requested to the plan with no fuss. It gives you the confidence that you and your loved one will be treated with dignity and respect.”
TrustPilot Review
“Sign up very simple and friendly staff, price was competitive and was happy with how was all sorted, only negative is never got the voucher they said would receive for the introduction and when chased it up just got fobbed off, so sales is good after sales not as good, so hope the final service doesn't follow after sales, not as if i could complain even if it was..”
TrustPilot Review
Summary: Customers are mostly satisfied with the process with Pure Cremation and the services provided, however some were dissatisfied with lack of communication post purchase.
Final Word
Pure Cremation is the UK’s best-known direct cremation specialist, offering a simple, no-fuss service that includes nationwide collection, a dignified cremation at its own facility, and the return or scattering of ashes. It is one of the few providers to include doctors’ fees in the plan price, and with more than 19,000 Trustpilot reviews at 4.9★, it is the highest-rated brand in the sector. Families value the clarity and consistency of its single focus: direct cremation.
Golden Leaves offers a similar direct cremation option through its Copper Plan, while also providing higher-tier plans with attended services for those who prefer a more traditional funeral. Golden Leaves may appeal to those who prefer working with a local independent funeral director or want the flexibility to choose from a wider range of funeral plans.
To Read More:
Are Funeral Plans Better Than Insurance?
Ready to get a Funeral quote?
Comparing funeral plans is an important part of finding the right funeral plan that suits your needs and your budget.
So if you're ready to compare quotes. Simply visit our comparison table:
Compare quotes