When the person who has died has chosen to have a direct cremation, you may be left feeling a bit lost. You may find you have to repeat yourself a number of times to explain that there is no funeral to family and friends.

Direct cremation may not offer the same level of closure and comfort that a funeral or memorial service can provide, especially if the decision has been taken by the deceased and not discussed with the family.

Without a funeral or memorial service, you might feel like you could struggle to come to terms with your loss. This can lead to delayed or unresolved grief, which can have negative long-term effects on their mental health and well-being.

If your loved one has chosen to have a direct cremation and you’re not sure about how to celebrate their lives, think about how you can still come together to share memories. Think about how you can create your own alternative that is personal to you and your family. Funeral celebrants, for instance, can lead a ceremony.

It’s worth talking it through with us in terms of what to expect, providing an outfit, seeing your relative in the Chapel of Rest, finding out when the cremation is going to take place, when you will receive the ashes, and what you can do to mark the life of the person who has died.