Organising a Direct Cremation

Choosing a direct cremation can offer a simple and dignified alternative to a traditional funeral. With a direct cremation, your loved one is cremated without a formal service or anyone in attendance. This option is often chosen by families who want something simple and dignified, or when it has been the wish of the person who has passed away, or when a more personal memorial is planned for a later date.

A direct cremation (sometimes referred to as an unattended cremation) means your loved one is taken into the care of our team and cremated privately. Their cremated remains can be returned to you if you wish, or they can be buried in a cemetery plot, scattered in a meaningful place, or laid to rest in the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance.

To help guide you through the process, our team at James Ashton & Son has created this overview to offer clear, gentle support.

What to Expect When Arranging a Direct Cremation

You can contact one of our funeral directors at James Ashton & Son whenever you feel ready, whether the death happened at home, in hospital, in a care home, or elsewhere. We will bring your loved one into our care with dignity, explain your options, guide you through the paperwork, arrange the cremation date, and liaise with the crematorium on your behalf.
You don’t need to have every detail decided before you call as we are here to help you understand what comes next.

A direct cremation means there is no funeral service at the crematorium and no cortege. The cremation takes place locally at an agreed time, and cremated remains can be returned afterwards if you choose. Many families prefer to hold a personal gathering later – at home, in a favourite place, in a church, or as a celebration of life when the time feels right.
If you’re worried about not having a goodbye at the crematorium, you can still create a meaningful moment; it simply happens in a different way, at a different time.

In Scotland, a death must be registered before the cremation can take place, and registration should be completed within eight days. The doctor will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and send it to your chosen registration office. Once the death is registered, the registrar provides the Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 14) and emails a copy to us so arrangements can move forward.

Even with a simple direct cremation, you can still make personal choices such as the type of coffin, clothing for your loved one, a favourite piece of music for their arrival at the crematorium, and your wishes for the cremated remains. If you choose to include any optional upgrades, additional choices may also be available. You may also wish to hold a memorial service separately in our service rooms, in a church, at a hotel, or in another meaningful place followed by the direct cremation the following morning. If these decisions feel overwhelming, it is perfectly fine to keep things straightforward and return to the details later.

Once all documentation is complete, your funeral director will confirm the cremation date with the crematorium. Because there is no service to coordinate, timings are usually more flexible, though still dependent on availability and required paperwork.

On the day of the cremation, your loved one is taken to the crematorium, and the cremation takes place privately. Many families find comfort in marking the moment in their own personal way – lighting a candle, taking a walk, sharing memories, looking through photographs, or spending a quiet moment together.

Before the cremation, we will discuss how you would like the cremated remains to be handled. They can be returned to you, kept safely for a later date, or scattered by arrangement. There is no pressure to decide immediately.

A direct cremation gives you the freedom to plan a memorial at a time that feels right for you and your family – formal or informal, religious or non‑religious, at home, outdoors, or in a place that mattered to your loved one.

Additional Helpful Information

Costs

A direct cremation is often the most cost‑effective type of funeral, while still ensuring your loved one is treated with dignity and respect. If you would like, we can provide a clear, itemised estimate.

Starting from £1,355

Including relevant cremation or burial fees

• Brewsterwells Cremation Fee: £455 (Total: £1,355)
• Dundee Cremation Fee: £575 (Total: £1,475)
• Kirkcaldy Cremation Fee: £485 (Total: £1,385)

What we provide as part of our care

• Bringing your loved one into our care and looking after them with dignity and respect
• All essential care and professional services
• Guidance with all required paperwork and cremation date.
• Liaison with the crematorium and relevant authorities
• Practical advice on ashes and memorial options

What a direct cremation does not include

To keep expectations clear, a direct cremation does not include a service at the crematorium, a hearse or cortege, embalming, or a formal viewing unless arranged separately. If you’d like any of these elements, we can discuss options.

Our reassurance about dignity and care

Although there is no service held at the crematorium, we care for your loved one with the same respect, attention, and professionalism we offer every family we support.

Why families choose this option

Many families choose direct cremation because it allows time, space, and flexibility to plan a memorial that truly reflects their loved one’s life — without immediate pressure or fixed timings.

If you’d like to talk more about arranging a direct cremation and what the process involves, James Ashton & Son is here to help, with clear guidance and gentle care.

James Ashton & Son are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our branches are:

1a Cardean Street, Dundee, Angus, DD4 6PS 

188 High Street, Lochee, Dundee, Angus, DD2 3DN   

132 – 136 Hilltown, Dundee, Angus, DD3 7BJ   

56 Largo Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8RP (Macgregors)