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Written by Adam McIlroy.
10 minute read
People often assume that a direct cremation and a pauper’s funeral are the same thing. In some ways, this is understandable, as they share some similarities, but there are some key differences between them which are important to understand.
More and more of us are looking to personalise our funerals so that they reflect who we were in life, whether through our interests, hobbies, tastes, or our identities. That might help to explain why direct cremation has become more popular: it’s a flexible, more personal kind of funeral ceremony, often unattended, that allows people to leave some of the traditional formalities to the side. People can then have a more special and celebratory send-off later on, or not, as preferred.
But funeral practices are not just changing because of an increasing demand among people for self-expression. Sadly, the costs of living and dying are also having a big impact on the way that funerals are happening in the UK: namely, the increasing frequency of the ‘pauper’s funeral’.
Below, we’ll take a little look at the meaning of the term ‘pauper’s funeral’, and how it differs from a direct cremation.
Key takeaways
A pauper’s funeral, known more officially by the name, ‘public health funeral’, is a kind of ceremony which a local council is legally obliged to arrange for someone who has died within their boundaries.
While the term ‘pauper’s funeral’ is widely recognised, it can sometimes carry outdated or negative connotations. As society’s attitudes around end-of-life care have shifted, many now prefer the term ‘public health funeral,’ which better reflects the dignity and care still afforded to every individual. For the purpose of this article, we will use terms to help readers find the information they need, while recognising the changes in language and understanding.
This type of funeral is happening more and more due to the financial impact of COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis in the UK. According to a recent study by the Mirror, one percent of all funerals in the UK in 2021 were Pauper’s Funerals. Similarly, the New Statesman found that the frequency of the Pauper’s Funerals has doubled since before the pandemic in the UK’s poorest areas.
Like a Direct Cremation, they are a stripped-back type of service, but they normally forgo absolutely everything that isn’t strictly necessary. With a Direct Cremation, the organiser might actively choose to let go of some of the formality because that’s what they’re more comfortable with. But, sadly, with a Pauper’s Funeral, there isn’t a choice: the only option available to the person who has died is the most austere ceremony possible, even if they may have wanted something grander.
According to the UK Government’s own guidance for local councils, they are legally required to carry out a pauper’s funeral for public health reasons. Strictly speaking, anyone who dies without next of kin, or whose surviving next of kin are unwilling or unable to organise things, is eligible for a pauper’s funeral. This is often the case with homeless people, for instance, who will likely have died without the means to fund their own funeral, and whose next-of-kin are often impossible to trace.
Many people ask, ‘can you attend a public health funeral‘? Depending on the circumstances, attendance at a public health funeral may or may not be possible, as decisions are often made by the local council based on practical considerations such as location, capacity, and arrangements.
If a family is in the position of needing a public health funeral, the local council should pay for it. First, though, they need to satisfy themselves that the family requesting it is unable to pay for things themselves, or with the estate of the person who has died, and they also need to receive notification in writing that the family is giving up responsibility for the funeral.
Depending on where in the UK the funeral will be, the ashes of the person who has died may or may not be returned to their family; some authorities allow it, others don’t. In 2018, ITV News reported that British people face being entered into a postcode lottery when it comes to the availability of public health funeral services from the local government. It means that for standard elements of the funeral process, like the return of ashes, the outcome may differ from place to place.
A pauper’s grave is different to the graves associated with other funerals, in the sense that it is not privately owned by the family of the person who has died. This means that it may not be possible to mark the grave in any way that commemorates the buried person. This is usually because, with a public health funeral where there is a burial, it could be that the person who has died is interred in a grave alongside someone who has already been buried there, or they may have someone else buried with them later.
The SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025 suggests that the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,285, so the rise in more economical, and Pauper’s, funerals is hardly surprising.
If you are struggling to pay for a funeral, we hope it brings some comfort to know that there are a few options out there for you. The UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has two different pathways for support: The Bereavement Support Payment and The Funeral Expenses Payment. If you find yourself needing access to the funds inside the bank account of a loved one who has died, in order to pay for their funeral, you may be able to access it via the Grant of Probate scheme. Most banks have trained teams ready to deal with specific questions about bereavement too.
Funeral plan
Buying a funeral plan is something many people do in order to keep costs down. Legal & General have projected an 84% increase in funeral costs in the UK over a 20-year period (2003-2023). By 2033, the average cost could be £6,259. Buying a funeral plan allows you to lock in today’s prices, and you can even split the cost into manageable instalments, if you prefer.
Direct cremation
A direct cremation ceremony, as mentioned, allows you to forgo many of the added formalities and extras associated with typical funerals. Not only does this mean that it might suit you if you are not keen on elements like hearses, funeral processions or pallbearers, but you might also save money in the process. Aura’s at-need direct cremation services start at £1,195, with options such as an intimate funeral or fully attended service.
Cost-effective send-off
Saying goodbye doesn’t have to mean spending thousands. You have complete freedom to celebrate the life of someone special in whatever way feels right — whether that’s a grand and joyful end-of-life celebration or a quiet and intimate farewell. A cost-effective send-off might mean gathering close family and friends for a simple evening at home, sharing memories over a board game, or hosting a cosy movie night with some of their favourite films.
There are no rules when it comes to remembering a loved one. Whether the funeral itself is a public health funeral arranged by the council, or a straightforward direct cremation, the celebration you create around it can be as meaningful and personal as you wish. What matters most is the love, connection, and memories shared, not how much is spent.
Life insurance
People sometimes find that taking out a life insurance policy can help make things easier for their families when the time comes for their funeral. Depending on your age at when you take out the policy, there could be a greater or lesser benefit amount, and some providers also allow for a funeral benefit option, which can contribute to funeral costs.
Good research
Make sure that you’ve understood what different companies are offering in terms of funeral options, so that you can make an informed decision about what will work best for you. You might be surprised by how far the price of a funeral can vary from provider to provider, even if the service is essentially the same, so it pays to be prepared. You can head to reputable third-parties like Trustpilot, to see what customers are saying about the kind of service they’ve received, or to Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert for objective, consumer-focused analysis of what’s out there on the market.
The difference between these two types of funeral is hopefully clear by now, but just to reiterate, it’s the personal choice and circumstances that make all the difference.
A direct cremation, while it can be minimalistic, and while its increasing popularity could be explained by its cheaper-than-average price, is different and more complicated than that. It allows someone to avoid traditions or formalities that they are not comfortable with, especially if they weren’t religious. It even lets them add personal touches to their ceremony, like words or music special to them, or a customised coffin. Even David Bowie had a direct cremation ceremony without any attendees present, just like the kind of service offered by Aura.
If you have any questions about direct cremation, or would like more information about any of our funeral plans, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our website, or by giving us a call. We’d be very pleased to hear from you.
