Save up to 62% of funeral costs with a Direct Cremation plan*
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SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026. Average cost of basic funeral (cremation/burial fees, funeral director and minister/celebrant) £4,510. Golden Leaves direct cremation plan (as basic funeral but no minister) £1,700. Saving of 62%. Available for customers paying in full or with 12 months interest free installments*
Why Direct Cremations are so popular for UK families.
Not having a basic Direct Cremation Plan in place can put a significant amount of pressure on your loved ones should the worst happen.
According to the Sun Life Cost Of Dying report 2026:
£2,365
is the extra money an average UK family has to find to cover funeral costs.
42%
only put aside enough money to cover the full costs of a funeral.
23%
of UK families borrow money from a friend or relative to covers costs.
37%
of UK families use their savings & investments to pay a loved ones costs.
UK based customer support
40+ years in business
Protect family & lock rising costs
- UK based customer support
- 40+ years in business
- Protect family & lock rising costs
What is a Direct Cremation?
Direct cremation offers a more affordable & no fuss alternative to traditional funerals. Most are now choosing this option and saving their families up to 62% of the cost* and the huge financial stress of a traditional funeral cost.
What’s included:
- Fully guaranteed funeral director costs
- Fully guaranteed crematorium costs
- Ashes returned to family or scattered at crematorium
- You’re covered 24 hours a day mainland UK (removal from the place of death to the funeral directors premises)
- Flexible payment options*
What’s not included:
- Funeral Service
- Burial of the deceased
- Chapel of Rest for family and friends to visit
Why should I get a Direct Cremation plan?
It’s simple.
Direct ‘Unattended’ Cremation plans are for those who don’t want the fuss and expense of a traditional funeral. It’s also a solution to relieve financial and emotional burden from loved ones.
It’s affordable.
It’s a low cost, simple option, that enables your family to celebrate your life away from the more traditional locations of church and crematorium.
Avoid paying more in the future.
Recent research from the Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2026 predicts that costs will continue to increase. A direct cremation plan locks the price in at today’s rates rather than run the risk of paying possibly higher prices in the future. Everything is already organised relieving huge pressure financially & emotionally on your family.
6 reasons why people choose Golden Leaves.
1
Take the stress away from your loved ones.
It removes a significant amount of pressure and stress from your families shoulders, as everything has been organised already. To activate the plan, it’s just one phone call and they can concentrate on the most important thing: remembering you.
2
Added peace of mind.
Your money is held in the the Golden Leaves Trust Fund so you have the peace of mind knowing it’s protected and your funeral is carried out.
3
Fully portable.
Our Plan is fully portable. So if you move anywhere in the UK, your plan comes with you.
4
Protect your family.
Our Plan is fully portable. So if you move anywhere in the UK, your plan comes with you.
5
Get today’s pricing.
Your plan locks the price at the time of the plan starting. You’ll never pay more.
6
Payment plans.
We also offer fully flexible payment options to suit most budgets.
Common questions.
Why should I pay now – it’ll be years before I need a funeral?
It removes a significant amount of pressure and stress from your families shoulders, as everything has been organised already. To activate the plan, it’s just one phone call and they can concentrate on the most important thing: remembering you.
How do I know the money will be there when it’s needed?
If paying by lump sum or 12 monthly instalments, the money you’ve paid for your funeral is held securely in an independently managed Golden Leaves Trust. Investment managers are tasked to manage the long-term growth of the fund, specifically to meet the increasing cost of funeral services.
If I purchase a direct cremation, can I have a service for my family to attend?
The Golden Leaves Copper Plan is an unattended direct cremation service and therefore unfortunately doesn’t include a service for mourners. Many people do hold a separate memorial service at a later date, once they have collected the cremated remains of their loved one.
What if I die at home and have a direct cremation plan?
The Copper plan will still be activated and collection is now included in the plan 24 hours a day from mainland UK.
Am I guaranteed to be accepted?
So long as you are 18 or over, there are no age limits to acceptance for your plan. If you pay for your plan with a finance agreement with Funeral Safe Limited, this is subject to status and affordability check so it’s not guaranteed that they will accept your finance application. You must repay your finance before your 85th birthday so this may limit the term over which Funeral Safe Limited will allow you to make repayments. If you’ve been told by a doctor of a condition or illness that will cause death within 12 months of applying for a plan then you can still take out a plan but you will only be able to pay with a single, lump sum payment: other payment options will not be available to you.
Give your loved ones peace of mind with a Direct Cremation plan.
Call us for free: 01443 886 287
Monday – Thursday: 9AM – 6:30PM & Friday: 9AM – 1PM
Based on the Sun Life Cost Of Dying Report 2026*
Average cost of basic funeral (cremation/burial fees, funeral director and minister/celebrant) £4,510. Cost varies depending on age, payment type & plan type.*
Direct cremation plan (as basic funeral but no minister) £1,700. Saving of 62%. Available for customers paying in full or with 12 months interest free instalments.*
* Age and health limitations apply which may restrict which payment options are available.
Golden Leaves Limited is a funeral plan provider and credit broker and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number 960923. You can check this on the Financial Services Register https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/financial-services-register. Golden Leaves only provides its own funeral plans. Golden Leaves does not provide personal recommendations: you must make up your own mind if our funeral plans are suitable for you. If you wish to lodge a complaint with us, you can do this by phone 0800 85 44 48, or email info@goldenleaves.com, or by post to the address shown. If you are unhappy with our response, you can take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service at 0800 023 4567 or www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/contact-us/complain-online
Registered in England 02935393. Registered office: Galago House, 163 Brighton Road, Coulsdon, CR5 2YH.