What people "in the know" say about Direct Cremation.....
The Good Funeral Guide says:

Direct cremation is for you if a) you don’t want to have a funeral — it is the ultimate in no-frills deathcare – or b) you regard cremation as a means of preparing a body for a funeral and wish to hold an event with the ashes present at any venue you choose — a restaurant, a mountain top.... the seaside.... There are more formal options too, of course. It is a particularly attractive option for people wanting to take the person who has died abroad to their home country; you save the considerable costs of embalming and air freight.
So far as we are aware there are just two internet undertakers offering direct cremation who, in our opinion, really get it. This is what they do fulltime, it’s not just a sideline. If this is what you’re after we have no hesitation whatever in recommending Nick Gandon of Simplicita Cremations. Nick is a lovely, honest guy who does a really good job nationwide.
The Natural Death Centre says:

The Natural Death Centre Charity provides free advice about all aspects of funerals, including keeping costs down, with a national Helpline and comprehensive advice available on their website, www.naturaldeath.org.uk. "There are many ways to avoid paying for unwanted services" says Rosie Inman-Cook the manager at the charity.
"More options are available in 2012 than ever before. Whether that is a direct cremation service for as little as £1000 or organising the funeral with no or limited input from a funeral director, saving up to £2000, people now have all kinds of choices, many of which will help keep costs down.
"More options are available in 2012 than ever before. Whether that is a direct cremation service for as little as £1000 or organising the funeral with no or limited input from a funeral director, saving up to £2000, people now have all kinds of choices, many of which will help keep costs down.
and what our customers say ........
I wanted to say a huge thank you to you and all your colleagues and connections for dealing with me at my most stressed and for being direct, professional and kind from the outset.
I could not be more pleased with your services.
Thank you again ... - Katie Smith
A word primarily to thank you sincerely for the excellent service you provided. I could not be more grateful for your excellent professional service and for 'pulling out all the stops'.
Thank you. - Andrew
We would like to thank you so very much for the kindness and compassion you have shown us as we prepared for the cremation of our brother. It is deeply reassuring to know that such a service exists when families have a need for such a professional, caring and personal approach. - Kindest regards, Donna and Sally
Thank you so much for all your help and consideration. This quiet simple goodbye is exactly as my dad would want it to be…– Kindest regards, June and Family
…Thank you so much for your support and guidance with my mum's funeral. It was so refreshing to be able to organise things exactly as we wanted and we all agreed that it was a very fitting occasion which drew closure effectively. I am grateful for the calm and straight forward way you handled things. Your company is very aptly named – Jane Carroll
I'm so glad that I found your website - Mrs W, Lincolnshire
Your service provides exactly what my dad would have approved of..
Thank you for everything you have done - Mr S, West Yorkshire.
You've made everything so easy, Thanks. - Mr C, Hertfordshire.
Thanks for everything you've done for us. - Miss D, Essex
Thanks so much, he wasn't religious, and this is how he would have liked to go.
- Dr F, Greater Manchester
My husband had doubts about using an online service but after meeting you those doubts were put to rest - Mrs O, Essex
It was nice to meet someone prepared to provide exactly the simple service we wanted
- Dr C, Merseyside
We compared prices with other undertakers - but your charges were clearly most competitive
- Mrs R, Essex
Thankyou for your preparation of his ashes, for their return to Poland - Ms W, London
Your service was both professional and personal, and helped us at a most difficult time in our lives - Miss C, East Sussex
My Mum's ashes were eventually returned to Ireland. Your practical help and assistance will be recommended to all my friends and family, should the need arise. Thank you so much
- Mrs S, West Yorkshire
A very small selection of the kind comments and letters of thanks that we have received over the past few years
I could not be more pleased with your services.
Thank you again ... - Katie Smith
A word primarily to thank you sincerely for the excellent service you provided. I could not be more grateful for your excellent professional service and for 'pulling out all the stops'.
Thank you. - Andrew
We would like to thank you so very much for the kindness and compassion you have shown us as we prepared for the cremation of our brother. It is deeply reassuring to know that such a service exists when families have a need for such a professional, caring and personal approach. - Kindest regards, Donna and Sally
Thank you so much for all your help and consideration. This quiet simple goodbye is exactly as my dad would want it to be…– Kindest regards, June and Family
…Thank you so much for your support and guidance with my mum's funeral. It was so refreshing to be able to organise things exactly as we wanted and we all agreed that it was a very fitting occasion which drew closure effectively. I am grateful for the calm and straight forward way you handled things. Your company is very aptly named – Jane Carroll
I'm so glad that I found your website - Mrs W, Lincolnshire
Your service provides exactly what my dad would have approved of..
Thank you for everything you have done - Mr S, West Yorkshire.
You've made everything so easy, Thanks. - Mr C, Hertfordshire.
Thanks for everything you've done for us. - Miss D, Essex
Thanks so much, he wasn't religious, and this is how he would have liked to go.
- Dr F, Greater Manchester
My husband had doubts about using an online service but after meeting you those doubts were put to rest - Mrs O, Essex
It was nice to meet someone prepared to provide exactly the simple service we wanted
- Dr C, Merseyside
We compared prices with other undertakers - but your charges were clearly most competitive
- Mrs R, Essex
Thankyou for your preparation of his ashes, for their return to Poland - Ms W, London
Your service was both professional and personal, and helped us at a most difficult time in our lives - Miss C, East Sussex
My Mum's ashes were eventually returned to Ireland. Your practical help and assistance will be recommended to all my friends and family, should the need arise. Thank you so much
- Mrs S, West Yorkshire
A very small selection of the kind comments and letters of thanks that we have received over the past few years