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.
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.
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) |
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| Care at Pure Cremation’s climate-controlled mortuary |
Hearse, limousines, flowers, obituary notices |
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| Solid pine eco coffin (or equivalent) |
Repatriation from outside Great Britain |
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| Ceramic identity disc (for ashes verification) |
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| Cremation at Pure Cremation’s own crematorium in Andover (or a partner if required) |
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| Doctor’s fees (medical certificates) |
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| 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.
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.