Dereham funeral service sees rise in direct cremations

They are no-fuss “direct cremations” where the deceased is taken straight to the crematorium for an unattended service.

Jordan Young, who runs Jordan Young Independent Funeral Home in Nelson Place, Dereham, said seven out of nine - or 80pc - of the funerals he had arranged this year had been direct - which was up from a little over 50pc last year. 

Direct cremations, in which there is no traditional funeral service, are increasing in popularity (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Young, 25, said he thought there were a number of reasons behind the rise in popularity of direct cremations.

He said: “I think after David Bowie had a direct cremation a couple of years ago, that really spiked public interest. 

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“Before that, it was perhaps considered more for paupers, but that opened people’s eyes that it was an option. 

“I think some of it could be down to the cost-of-living crisis. We have a lot of people saying they just want a no-frills service.”

Mr Young said David Bowie prompted a rise in interest in direct cremations (Image: PA)

After a direct cremation, the family can collect the ashes of the deceased, and host a memorial service or celebration of life to ‘say goodbye’ to their loved one in their own way. 

Direct cremations offer “substantial” savings, Mr Young said. 

His funeral service offers them for £1,780, while prices for traditional cremation services start at £3,995. 

He said: “We can still do arrangements for these services.

"For example, if they’ve got a favourite colour or song, we can still integrate that in to make it bespoke and personal.”

Mr Young said nationally, 75pc of all deaths are followed by a cremation. Direct cremations used to account for 3pc of those, but now the figure is more than 6pc.

Mr Young started working in the funeral business for around six years, having started when he was 19. He has run his own business for the past three years.