Beyond Direct Cremation

​​Why ceremony still matters — even when you choose direct cremation

​“Just cremate me, no fuss.”​

It's something many of us have said or heard. It sounds simple, even sensible. And for families under financial pressure, it may feel like the only option.

​But what happens when our people die — and there’s no goodbye? No gathering, no stories, no shared tears, no moment to pause and remember?

This is the quiet cost of No Service, Direct Cremation — and it’s one we don’t talk about enough.

​What is Direct Cremation No Service (DCNS)?
​
Direct cremation means the person is cremated without a ceremony beforehand. No mourners are present. The ashes are returned to the family, and that’s it.

Companies like Bare and Willed now promote this as a modern, affordable, “no fuss” option — especially appealing to those experiencing funeral poverty.

And while it does reduce costs, it also removes something we all need:

• A chance to say goodbye.
• A space to feel and honour our grief.
• A moment to witness a life and mark its passing.