Cost of living: ‘I don’t want a funeral, it’s a waste of money’

Direct cremations, when the body is cremated without a service and the ashes are returned to the family, have risen in popularity in the last few years, partly because they are the cheapest option.

Janet Jones, 70, of Attleborough, Norfolk, is considering whether to book one for herself and her husband, as she wants to make sure her two children can benefit from whatever money they have left.

Janet worked for 30 years in a GP surgery and her husband Chris, who she has been married to for 50 years, worked for 33 years in a factory.

“We’ve worked all our lives and we want our children to have that money to do something to remember us in their own way,” she says.

Janet would like her family to go on holiday instead and have a drink to celebrate their lives.

But Janet’s daughter, Bridie, isn’t sure it’s the right option.

“Because of their age I thought they would go down a traditional route. There are so many people who love them who want to say goodbye properly,” she says.

“They are so selfless and they don’t want us to be burdened with massive funeral costs. It’s what they want and I have to respect that and accept it. I just need to get my head around it,” she adds.

Direct cremations grew in popularity during the coronavirus outbreak, but the trend shows no signs of slowing. Funeral directors say there has been an increase in demand for basic services due to the cost of living crisis.

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