Home Direct cremation
Direct cremation in Stockport, Cheshire and the High Peak
A simple, dignified cremation without a funeral service, cared for by your local family funeral director. You are free to say goodbye in your own way, at a time and place that feels right.
What is a direct cremation?
A direct cremation has no funeral service beforehand. We bring your loved one into our care, look after them at our funeral home in High Lane, and carry out the cremation quietly and respectfully. Then we bring their ashes home to you.
More and more families choose it. Some want to keep things simple. Many plan their own gathering later: a memorial, a scattering of ashes somewhere special, or a celebration at home or in a favourite place.
Choosing a direct cremation does not mean choosing less care. You can still visit your loved one in our Chapel of Rest, dress them in their own clothes, and talk to Gary at any time. This in itself makes our direct cremation different.
Attended direct cremation
A short, private goodbye for close family, without the cost of a full funeral.
Everything in our direct cremation is included, but the cremation takes place at Macclesfield Crematorium at 9:30 in the morning, and close family can be there. You can come into the chapel, listen to some music you have chosen, and a family member can say a few words. Gary, our funeral director, will be with you to guide the morning, or he can say the words on your behalf if you would rather.
It lasts about 15 minutes, so it is a chance for a very short goodbye rather than a service for a large gathering. It is simply an alternative to a direct cremation for families who would like to be there.
You also have a choice of coffin at no extra cost: our natural jute coffin, an oak veneer coffin or an elm veneer coffin.
Choose what you need
Add only what matters to you. These are our current prices for the most common additions.
| A celebrant or ministerSomeone to lead the service and say a few words. | £250 |
|---|---|
| Choose a different coffinAny coffin from our range. You pay only the difference from the jute coffin. | From £200 |
| Flowers for the coffinArranged by a local florist to your wishes. | Priced to your choice |
| Live webcast of the serviceCharged by Macclesfield Crematorium, for family who cannot be there. | £98 |
| Picture slideshow during the serviceUp to 25 photos with music, charged by the crematorium. | £98 |
| Ashes scattered in the Garden of RemembranceAt the crematorium, if you would like. | No charge |
| Ashes brought home to youWe collect them and bring them to your door. | No charge |
| Our staff at a burial of ashesIf you would like us there when the ashes are laid to rest. | £60 |
| Extra mileageFor collections over 20 miles from High Lane. | £1.20 a mile |
Crematorium charges are set by Cheshire East Council and passed on at cost.
How it works
Call us, day or night
Ring 01663 762618. We will listen, explain what happens next, and agree a time to bring your loved one into our care.
We take care of the paperwork
We guide you through registering the death and handle the forms the crematorium needs.
Say goodbye in your own time
You are welcome to visit our Chapel of Rest. We can dress your loved one in their own clothes.
The cremation
We carry out the cremation with the same care as any funeral. If you have chosen an attended service, we will be there with you.
We bring them home
We collect the ashes and bring them to you at no charge, or arrange for them to be scattered in the Garden of Remembrance.
Which is right for you?
| Feature | Direct cremation | Attended direct cremation | Full funeral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,200, all in | £1,550, all in | £2,400 plus crematorium or cemetery and celebrant fee |
| Family at the crematorium | No | Close family, early morning | Yes, at a time you choose |
| Visiting in our Chapel of Rest | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hearse and staff | Our vehicle and staff | Our vehicle and staff | Traditional black hearse |
| Service | None. Hold your own gathering later | A short goodbye of about 15 minutes | Planned with you, anywhere you choose |
Questions families ask us
Can we see them before the cremation?
Yes. You are welcome to spend time with your loved one in our Chapel of Rest in High Lane. Just let us know when you would like to come.
Can we choose a different coffin?
Yes. A natural jute coffin is included, and you can choose any coffin from our range, paying only the difference.
Which crematorium do you use?
All our direct cremations take place at Macclesfield Crematorium, wherever you live in Stockport, the High Peak or Cheshire. Attended direct cremations are there too, at 9:30 in the morning.
Can we hold a memorial later?
Of course. Many families gather weeks or months later, with or without the ashes. We are happy to help you plan it.
Will you bring the ashes to us?
Yes, at no charge. Or, if you prefer, they can be scattered in the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance, also at no charge.
They had a funeral plan. Can you still help?
Yes. We can carry out funerals under most plans. Call us and we will check the plan with you.
Talk to us about a direct cremation
Whatever the hour, you will speak to Gary or Janice, never a call centre.