Funerals without a service

This type of funeral is becoming more popular as funerals become more varied. People want to have greater choice when it comes to making funeral arrangements. When choosing a funeral without a service, all arrangements can still be organised by a funeral director, although what can be included varies depending on the funeral director you choose.

Our guide seeks to explain the options available, whether you would choose one, and what is and isn’t included in a funeral without a service at CPJ Field.

What is a funeral without a service?

A funeral without a service is also known as a closed funeral, a no service funeral, a funeral without a ceremony or a non-attendance funeral. It is different to a traditional funeral, with the latter usually including a service before the deceased person is cremated or buried. Typically, an unattended cremation or burial involves the appointment of a funeral director who will take the deceased to a suitable crematorium or burial site on your behalf. The funeral director will take care of your loved one in the funeral home, handling all the necessary paperwork, documentation and the ashes afterwards. The ashes can be scattered for you in the Garden of Remembrance, for example, or placed into a simple container that you can collect.

What happens at an unattended funeral?

With no formal service, family and friends are not in attendance. The funeral director will collect the person who has died and, later, take them to the cemetery or crematorium, depending on the choice you make. The cremation or burial takes place privately without a service and without any mourners being present, although staff from the funeral home that have accompanied the person to the funeral can be present.

What are the major differences between a funeral without a service to a funeral with a service?

• You do not visit the deceased person in the funeral home
• Usually, it does not involve embalming or other traditional funeral practices
• You cannot choose the date, time or location when the cremation burial takes place. The cremation will take place at a facility convenient to the funeral director and may not be local to you.
• There is no service and therefore no hearse, procession or pallbearers
• No mourners are present as the body goes straight from the funeral home to be buried or cremated

Why choose a funeral without a service?

• The person who has died may have wanted a funeral without fuss and formality. They may have felt uncomfortable themselves arranging or attending a funeral during their own lifetime and therefore want to avoid this happening to their family and friends.
• Cost - the deceased person may not have seen the value in a traditional funeral and would prefer family members to spend the money in a more meaningful way.
• Travelling distance - it can be difficult with the short notice timeframe associated with a funeral for families to travel due to the distances involved. This is particularly relevant if friends or family do not live locally.
• Straightforward to arrange – this option is considered easier, quicker and less stressful to arrange and does not involve difficult decisions such as the venue, type of coffin, flowers, songs, readings and transport.

Can a celebration of life still be held?

Even if you choose to have a funeral without a service, there is no reason why the person who died cannot be remembered in other ways. Many families and friends choose to have a celebration of life that is separate from the funeral. It can be arranged at a time that is more suitable for everyone and could be a wake at a local venue, a memorial service, or a more informal get-together. This will allow friends and family to share their memories and pay their respects.

A wake or funeral reception

A wake is a very popular option and is often referred to as a funeral reception. It entails a social gathering of family and friends to celebrate the life of your loved one. A wake can take place after the funeral at a variety of venues including a hotel, church hall or social club. This is a casual event with food and drink normally supplied.

A memorial service

A memorial service tends to be a celebratory ceremony and is quite similar to a funeral service, although usually less formal and upbeat. It can take the form of a celebration of life and include poems, songs, eulogies and readings. A variety of venues such as a private venue or a family home can be used to hold the service, which reflects the personality of the deceased person. It is often arranged on a meaningful date, which could be an anniversary, or birthday etc. of your loved one. A date when most people can attend is often chosen, such as at a weekend or on an evening.

What are the disadvantages of a funeral without a service?

• No opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased person during the cremation or burial.
• Not all family members will be comfortable with this decision and discussions may centre on the lack of ceremony and how the ashes are handled.
• A life cannot be celebrated without a service and there is no opportunity to say goodbye on the day. A traditional service can bring comfort to friends and family.
• Family and friends cannot view the body in the funeral home, and a simple coffin is used.
• The body is transported to the burial ground or the crematorium in a suitable vehicle and not necessarily a hearse which may lack the respect associated with a funeral.
• There is no choice of date, or time or option to select a preferred crematorium or burial site.
• The sense of occasion can be lost.
• Hymns, songs, poems, readings, photos and videos, which personalise a service are not required.

How is a funeral without a service arranged?

• A traditional funeral director with experience organising an unattended funeral or cremation is often chosen. If you select CPJ Field, we will take care of all of the arrangements for you.
• A direct cremation specialist, a company that specialises in unattended cremations can be chosen. They work in the same way as a funeral director and again will take care of the arrangements. It should be noted that often these specialists are only contactable online or by phone, and you may not be able to meet them in person.
• Working directly with a crematorium or burial ground. This option means that you will have to organise the paperwork and transport of the body yourself.

What does a funeral without a service give you?

• As it is a cheaper option, you will have more to spend on the farewell event such as the celebration of life, wake or memorial service.
• You will have more time to arrange a memorial that truly reflects the beliefs, values, interests, relationships and hobbies of the person who has died.
• The date can be more suitable, such as an evening or weekend or during the summer when more people can attend.
• A location or venue can be chosen that has personal significance. This could be at home, in the garden, at a restaurant, a woodland, beach or theatre.
• A gift or a legacy can be obtained with the money you have saved.

What is included if you choose CPJ Field?

• Arranging of the funeral by the funeral director to include advice and assistance in completing the burial or cremation
• Collection, preparation and mortuary care of the deceased – the body is collected from the place of death and taken to one of our funeral homes, where it is cared for until cremation or burial can take place
• Legal paperwork and permissions - legal documentation is handled, including the death certificate and any required permissions for cremation or burial
• Simple coffin – usually eco-friendly
• Transport to the crematorium or burial site
• The cremation or burial takes place with no funeral service, procession or mourners
• Ashes are scattered in the Garden of Remembrance or returned to the family, depending on their wishes
• Crematorium or burial fees are included
• The family can choose to hold a memorial service or celebration of life at a later date - in this way, it can be more personal and meaningful without the constraints of a traditional funeral service

What isn’t included if you choose CPJ Field?

• Any ceremony immediately before or after the coffin is presented for burial or cremation
• The attendance of a celebrant at the place of committal
• Dressing the deceased in their own clothes, although this can be arranged as an additional cost
• Choice of coffin, although again this can be arranged for an additional fee
• Selecting the days and time for the cremation or burial to happen

You can find more about the costs and what is included if you choose CPJ Field as your funeral director here.