Ed Cullen of Taunton, Somerset, still bears the emotional scars of not being able to say a proper goodbye to his mother. After she passed away, he discovered she had arranged an unattended cremation, believing it would spare her family the financial burden of a traditional funeral. But for Cullen, the lack of a ceremony left him with painful memories and unresolved grief.
"I was told she made funeral arrangements but not what type of funeral," Cullen explained. "She was quite private and didn't express that in depth. She thought she was saving us all the hassle. Over the last 20 years I got very close to her and not being able to say goodbye has left me with a lot of stress and painful memories."
His story reflects a growing trend. As funeral costs in England hit an average of £4,285 in 2025—a 3.5% increase from the previous year—more families are turning to direct cremations, where no one is present. However, a report by the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) found that nearly one in five people who opt for a direct cremation later regret it, with a similar number reporting unresolved grief.
Simon Helliar-Moore, an independent funeral director in Taunton, acknowledges the financial pressures. "The costs that come with a funeral, such as a crematorium and coffins, go up every year," he said. "Being a business that tries to care, those costs have to be passed on. It's about families researching and maybe not just using their local funeral provider."
SAIF's chief executive Terry Tennens emphasized that funerals serve an emotional purpose. "A funeral is not just about loss, it is about remembrance, connection and celebration of life. When families are denied that moment, some can be left with a lasting sense that something important is missing."
The government offers a Funeral Expenses Payment for those on certain benefits, which covers about 46% of total costs on average, along with an additional £1,000 for other expenses. Public health funerals, arranged and paid for by local authorities, are also an option for those with no other means.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: "Losing a loved one is devastating and we understand the financial impact it can have on families. That's why we have a Funeral Expenses Payment scheme to help those who are eligible meet the cost of arranging a funeral."
Cullen now urges others to discuss funeral wishes openly with loved ones and to seek help from funeral directors or government schemes if costs are a concern. "I would never recommend this way of being taken away and buried to anybody. It leaves a lot of devastation behind."