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    Prepaid Direct Cremation Plans Compared

    Prepaid direct cremation plans — sometimes called unattended cremations — allow you to arrange and pay in advance for a straightforward cremation without a funeral service. They are chosen for their lower cost and simplicity.

    In this review, we compare the three leading UK providers of prepaid direct cremation plans: Memoria, Co-op Funeralcare and Golden Leaves.

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    By Clare Townhill • Updated 7th January 2026
    Disclaimer: Prices and ratings correct at time of writing.

     

    Quick Summary: Direct Cremation Compared

    Memoria Direct Cremation Plan: £1,595 (one-off payment). A simple, fully guaranteed direct cremation plan with UK-wide collection from anywhere in mainland UK. Includes professional care, a quality coffin, cremation at a Memoria crematorium or approved partner, support with paperwork, and ashes hand-delivered to the family or scattered in memorial gardens. Trustpilot 4.9★ (3,400+ reviews).

    Co-op Funeralcare Direct Cremation: From £1,700 (or £1,625 for members). Includes collection (within 50 miles), care, a simple coffin, and cremation fees guaranteed. Instalments up to 12 months interest-free, or up to 5 years with charges. Trustpilot 4.5★ (3,434 reviews).

    Golden Leaves Copper Plan: From £1,700. Includes collection nationwide, coffin, cremation fees guaranteed, and ashes returned. Doctors’ fees are not included. Instalments up to 12 months interest-free, or up to 8 years (finance with interest). Trustpilot 4.8★ (5,110 reviews).

    In short: All three providers offer prepaid direct cremations, but Memoria is the lowest-priced of the three and has the highest Trustpilot rating. Co-op stands out for face-to-face support via 800+ branches, while Golden Leaves offers longer instalment terms and strong customer satisfaction.

     

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    Memoria Direct Cremation Plan Review

    ★★★★★ Trustpilot 4.9★ 3,400+ reviews

    Memoria Direct Cremations is one of the top UK funeral providers specialising in direct cremation, offering a simple and transparent alternative to traditional funeral plans. Rather than multiple plan tiers or add-ons, Memoria focuses on a single Direct Cremation Plan designed for people who want certainty over price, consistently high standards of care, and no requirement for an attended ceremony.

     

    Memoria is part of the Memoria Group, which owns and operates a network of modern crematoria across England, Scotland and Wales, helping maintain consistent service standards and clear pricing. The wider group also includes Memoria Funerals, which provides attended funerals and funeral plans for those who prefer a service.

     
    Trustpilot
    4.9★ (3,400+ reviews)
    FCA Regulated
    Yes
    Price from
    £1,595
    Payment Options
    Pay in full (card or Direct Debit)
    Coverage
    Mainland UK (Memoria crematoria & approved partners)
    Pros and cons
    Pros Cons
    Excellent customer satisfaction (4.9★ Trustpilot from 3,400+ reviews)
    Clear, single-plan offering with no pressure to add extras
    Fully guaranteed pricing for included services (no future increases)
    UK-wide collection from anywhere in mainland UK
    24/7 specialist family support and consistently praised “personal touches”
    No attended funeral or ceremony option (unattended direct cremation only)
    Limited flexibility vs full-service funeral plans
    No choice of crematorium (scheduled by the provider)
    What is included
    • 24/7 specialist family support
    • Collection of the deceased from anywhere in mainland UK
    • Professional care in a mortuary (including pacemaker removal)
    • Quality wood coffin (including larger sizes where required)
    • 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
    • Online funeral notice
    • Hand delivery of ashes to the family, or scattering in memorial gardens
    What is not included
    • No attendance or service by mourners
    • Cremation date/time set by Memoria (unattended)
    • No option to view the deceased (no embalming or viewing)
    • No hearse, limousines, flowers, or ceremony costs included
    • No choice of crematorium
    How it works
    1. Choose Memoria’s Direct Cremation Plan (unattended cremation).
    2. Pay in full (£1,595) by card or Direct Debit.
    3. When the time comes, Memoria supports the family with arrangements and paperwork and collects the deceased from anywhere in mainland UK.
    4. The cremation takes place at a time chosen by the provider, and ashes are hand-delivered back to the family or scattered in memorial gardens.
     

    Memoria offers a 30-day cooling-off period with a full refund. After this, a fixed £95 cancellation fee applies.

    Co-op Direct Cremation Plan Review

    ★★★★★ Trustpilot 4.5★ 3434 reviews

    Co-op Funeralcare is the UK’s largest funeral provider, with over 800 branches nationwide. Its prepaid Direct Cremation Plan offers a simple, unattended cremation at a fixed price of £1,700 (or £1,625 for members). The plan includes collection within 50 miles, care, a simple coffin, and cremation fees guaranteed.

     

    Families can spread payments over up to 12 months interest-free, or up to 5 years with charges. A key advantage is access to face-to-face support at local branches—something many direct cremation specialists don’t provide.

     
    Trustpilot
    4.5★ (3,434 reviews)
    FCA Regulated
    Yes
    Price from
    £1,700 (or £1,625 for members)
    Payment Options
    Pay in full • 12 months interest-free • Up to 5 years with charges
    Coverage
    800+ funeral homes across the UK
    Pros and cons
    Pros Cons
    Affordable entry price (£1,700; £1,625 for members)
    Cremation fees guaranteed
    Backed by a large national network with 800+ branches
    Face-to-face support available at funeral homes (a USP vs remote-only providers)
    Instalments available up to 5 years
    No attendance, no choice of date or location
    Instalments beyond 12 months incur charges
    Doctor’s fees excluded (will incur an additional cost)
    What is included
    • Professional funeral director services and administrative support
    • Collection, cremation, and a basic coffin
    • Ashes collection from a branch or crematorium, or scattering at the Garden of Remembrance
    What is not included
    • No attendance or service by mourners
    • Cremation date/time set by Co-op
    • No option to view the deceased
    • Burial plot, flowers, memorials, or catering not included
    How it works
    1. Choose the Direct Cremation Plan.
    2. Pay in full or opt for short-term instalments.
    3. Co-op arranges collection, cremation, and next steps.
    4. Ashes returned or scattered per your preference.

    Golden Leaves Copper Plan Review

    ★★★★★ Trustpilot 4.8★ 5110 reviews

    Golden Leaves, established in 1984, is one of the UK’s longest-standing funeral plan providers, working with a network of independent funeral directors. Its Copper Plan is a popular prepaid direct cremation option priced from £1,700. It includes nationwide collection, a simple coffin, transport to the crematorium, and cremation fees guaranteed.

     

    Unlike Co-Op, doctor’s fees are not included. Payments can be made in full, over 12 months interest-free, or spread over up to 8 years with finance charges. The Copper Plan suits those who want a low-cost cremation arranged locally through independent directors, with flexibility to spread the cost over a longer period.

     
    Trustpilot
    4.8★ (5,110 reviews)
    FCA Regulated
    Yes
    Price from
    £1700
    Payment Options
    Pay in full • 12 months interest-free • Up to 8 years with finance (charges apply)
    Coverage
    UK-wide through local network of funeral directors
    Pros and cons
    Pros Cons
    Simple, affordable direct cremation plan at £1,700
    Cremation fees guaranteed
    Nationwide coverage via independent directors
    Instalments available up to 8 years (with interest)
    No attendance, no procession, no extras
    Doctor’s fees excluded — families must pay these separately if required
    Longer instalments can significantly increase the total cost (e.g. £1,700 vs £3,165 over 8 years)
    No attendance, no procession, no extras
    Doctor’s fees excluded — families must pay these separately if required
    Longer instalments can significantly increase the total cost (e.g. £1,700 vs £3,165 over 8 years)
    What is included
    • Funeral director services, documentation, and care 24/7
    • Basic coffin, cremation fees, doctor’s fees
    • Ashes returned or scattered at crematorium
    What is not included
    • No funeral service or chapel visitation
    • No burial, no extras like flowers or catering
    • Doctor’s fees excluded — families must pay these separately if required
    •  
    How it works
    1. Take out the Copper Plan and pay upfront or via instalments.
    2. Removal and cremation are organised centrally.
    3. Ashes handled according to your wishes, without extra cost.
    4.  

     

    Side-by-Side Comparison

    Feature Co-op Funeralcare – Direct Cremation Plan Golden Leaves – Copper Plan (Direct Cremation)
    Trustpilot rating 4.5★ (3,434 reviews) 4.8★ (5,110 reviews)
    Regulation FCA authorised FCA authorised
    Price (from) £1,700 (£1,625 for members) £1,700
    Payment options Pay in full • 12 months interest-free • Up to 5 years with charges Pay in full • 12 months interest-free • Up to 8 years with finance (charges apply)
    What’s included Collection (within 50 miles), care & preparation, simple coffin, cremation fees guaranteed, ashes returned or scattered Nationwide collection, care & preparation, coffin, cremation fees guaranteed (Mon–Fri single slot), ashes returned or scattered
    What’s not included Attended service, choice of time/date/crematorium, viewing/chapel visits, extras (flowers, limousines, notices) Attended service, viewing, embalming, pallbearers, limousines, extras
    Coverage 800+ Co-op branches nationwide; access to face-to-face service Delivered via network of independent funeral directors (arranged remotely)

    Conclusion

    Both Co-op and Golden Leaves provide simple prepaid direct cremation plans at around £1,700, making them attractive to anyone seeking an affordable, no-service option.

    Co-op’s strength lies in its nationwide network of 800+ branches and the reassurance of face-to-face support from a household name, while Golden Leaves offers longer instalment terms, consistently higher customer ratings at 4.8★, and clear, fixed-price plans.

    Neither plan includes doctor’s fees (around £164). If you value convenience and the backing of a household name Co-op is a safe choice, whereas if you prioritise payment flexibility and customer satisfaction, Golden Leaves is the stronger option.

    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
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    Compare Funeral Plans

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