The definition of an unattended funeral
An unattended funeral or bare funeral is different to a traditional funeral as the deceased person is cremated or buried without having a service beforehand. The two main types of unattended funerals are unattended cremations (also known as a direct cremation or closed cremation) and unattended burials (also known as a direct burial).
The burial or cremation takes place privately, with no mourners in attendance. This simple funeral service is organised by a funeral director, giving family and friends the opportunity to arrange a memorial service or celebration of life at a time that suits them.
What happens at an unattended funeral?
As there’s no formal service included at a bare funeral, there are no mourners, flowers, readings or songs involved. Once the death has been registered, your loved one will be transported from the chapel of rest to a crematorium or cemetery by the funeral director. They are then cremated or buried with the utmost dignity and respect.
In the case of a direct cremation, the deceased’s ashes will be collected from the crematorium and kept in an urn. The family can then scatter them wherever they wish, or keep them at home if they prefer.
Why choose an unattended funeral?
There are many reasons why people choose unattended funerals for their loved ones, or may plan a simpler funeral service for themselves. A direct cremation or burial may be selected for one of the following reasons:
- The deceased may have previously expressed an interest for either a minimal funeral service, or no service at all
- Personal or religious beliefs may make a traditional funeral service unsuitable
- The family of the deceased may prefer to plan a separate celebration of life
- The family may have planned to scatter the ashes at a later date
- The family may be struggling to get mourners together in time for a traditional funeral
- The family may need to delay the memorial service by a matter of weeks or months
- The family may be unable to afford a larger funeral service with mourners
The benefits of an unattended funeral
There are numerous benefits to choosing an unattended cremation or burial. The three key benefits are:
- Cost. Unattended funerals are significantly cheaper than traditional funerals. There are no costs associated with holding the service itself, purchasing a coffin, paying for catering or organising travel. This makes it a much more cost-effective option for families on a tighter budget.
- Convenience. These types of funerals are a lot more convenient for the deceased’s family, with little-to-no planning involved on their part. The funeral director will arrange every aspect of the cremation or burial on your behalf, making the process less emotionally taxing on grieving families.
- Freedom. Bare funerals offer more flexibility and freedom. The family are free to arrange a memorial or celebration of life at a later date, taking away the need to make rushed arrangements for the funeral. This allows for extra time to create a more personalised, and arguably more meaningful, farewell.
Arrange your unattended funeral with Alexander Burn
Here at Alexander Burn, we organise every type of funeral with the utmost care and compassion; whether you’re opting for a natural burial, traditional funeral or direct cremation.
Our direct cremation packages are simple and affordable, and we even offer in-house ceremony services that can be arranged alongside the cremation. We will handle the entire unattended funeral arrangement process – from transporting the body to one of our funeral homes, arranging the administration of legal documents, supplying a traditional light oak veneer coffin, and organising the hearse and pallbearers. We can also arrange unattended funerals at a local crematorium, if you prefer.
Please get in touch with our professional team to discover more about what’s included in our direct cremation services. We are on hand 24/7 to offer guidance and support throughout this difficult time.
