BEST Funeral Directors – KNOW YOU’RE IN GREAT CARE
Simple attended funerals: a personal farewell with fewer extras
A simple attended funeral gives family and friends the opportunity to come together for a funeral service while keeping the arrangements straightforward.
It may include professional care, a simple coffin, funeral transport and an attended ceremony followed by cremation or burial. Families can then decide which personal elements matter most, without feeling that they need to include every feature associated with a larger traditional funeral.
For many people, this provides the right balance. The funeral remains attended, dignified and personal, while the number of vehicles, the coffin, flowers and other additions can be kept relatively simple.
Best has already carefully selected one local independent Best Funeral Director for your area. When you call, we will listen to what your family needs, explain what happens next and instruct the local team to begin the care and funeral arrangements.
Enter your postcode to see the Best Funeral Director we have carefully selected in your area. Or call us on 0333 242 2368.
What is a simple attended funeral?
A simple attended funeral is a funeral with a ceremony that family and friends can attend, followed by either cremation or burial.
It usually keeps the arrangements focused on the essential parts of the funeral:
- professional care of the person who has died;
- help arranging and coordinating the funeral;
- a simple coffin;
- suitable funeral transport;
- an attended service;
- burial or cremation;
- support from the funeral director on the day.
It sits between a direct funeral and a more elaborate traditional funeral.
A direct cremation or direct burial takes place without an attended ceremony. A traditional funeral may include a longer procession, additional family vehicles, a higher-priced coffin and a wider range of formal additions.
SunLife describes a simple attended funeral as including the commonly chosen elements of a modern funeral. Its 2026 research found that it is now the most popular type of funeral arranged by the funeral directors surveyed.
Simple attended funeral, traditional funeral or direct cremation?
| Simple attended funeral | Traditional funeral | Direct cremation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can people attend? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Ceremony | A straightforward attended service | A fuller formal or personalised service | No ceremony at the crematorium |
| Coffin | Usually a simple coffin | A wider choice may be made | Simple coffin |
| Transport | Hearse or suitable ceremonial vehicle | Hearse and potentially family limousines | Specialist funeral transport |
| Procession | Often short and direct | May follow a chosen or meaningful route | No public procession |
| Personal choices | Focused on selected details | Broad choice of details and additions | Memorial can be held separately |
| Usually suited to | Families wanting to attend while keeping arrangements manageable | Families wanting a fuller or more formal funeral | Families comfortable holding any gathering separately |
The precise arrangements depend on the local funeral director, the venue and your family’s choices.
Start making funeral arrangements
One call to Best gives you clear guidance and trusted local care.
Call 0333 242 2368 to arrange a Best Funeral. We will explain the next step and instruct the Best Funeral Director selected for your area.
What can a simple attended funeral include?
Best does not impose one rigid national funeral package. The funeral is delivered according to the local Best Funeral Director’s services, professional standards and price list, tailored around the family’s agreed choices.
A simple attended funeral may include the following.
Care and funeral arrangements
- bringing the person who has died into the funeral director’s care;
- professional mortuary care;
- help completing the funeral paperwork;
- arranging the crematorium, cemetery or other venue;
- liaising with a minister, celebrant or faith leader;
- preparing the person for the funeral;
- an opportunity to visit the chapel of rest, where available and requested.
The funeral service
- a simple coffin;
- a hearse or suitable ceremonial vehicle;
- funeral staff to support the service;
- an attended ceremony at the crematorium, cemetery, church or another suitable venue;
- music, readings or a eulogy;
cremation or burial.
Choices the family may keep simple
- the number of funeral vehicles;
- the style of coffin;
- flowers;
- printed orders of service;
- the procession route;
- the venue for a gathering afterwards;
- the number of additional products or memorial items.
Some services are supplied directly by the funeral director. Other charges come from third parties, including crematoria, cemeteries, churches, ministers and celebrants.
Your local Best Funeral Director will prepare a written quotation showing the funeral-director charges, optional choices and third-party fees.
What happens on the day?
The details will vary, but a simple attended funeral commonly follows a clear and manageable sequence.
Family and friends arrive
People may meet directly at the crematorium, cemetery, church or chosen service venue. In some arrangements, close family may travel behind the hearse or meet the funeral procession at an agreed point.
The coffin enters the service
Professional or family pallbearers may carry the coffin into the venue. A wheeled bier can also be used where appropriate.
The funeral director coordinates the arrival, timings, seating, flowers and anyone involved in leading the ceremony.
The ceremony takes place
A simple funeral service can include:
- a welcome;
- one or two pieces of music;
- a reading or poem;
- a eulogy;
- memories from family or friends;
- prayers or reflective words;
- a short period of quiet reflection;
- final words of farewell.
The service does not need to feel rushed or impersonal. It simply concentrates attention on the parts the family has chosen.
The committal follows
For a cremation, the committal generally happens at the end of the chapel service.
For a burial, the ceremony may take place entirely at the graveside or the congregation may travel there after a church or chapel service.
Family and friends may gather afterwards
A gathering can be held at home, in a local pub, community hall, hotel or another familiar place. It can be as formal or informal as the family prefers.
Choose the one moment that matters most
A simple funeral often becomes easier to plan when the family decides which part of the day needs to carry the greatest meaning.
Ask:
When we think back on the funeral, which one moment do we most want to remember?
It might be:
- hearing a particular piece of music;
- seeing everyone gathered together;
- a family member reading the eulogy;
- carrying the coffin;
- saying a prayer;
- watching a photo tribute;
- following the hearse for the final journey;
- placing a flower at the grave;
- having quiet time together after the service.
Once that moment is clear, the rest of the funeral can be organised around it.
For example, a family may choose a simple coffin and no limousines, but make time for several relatives to speak. Another may keep the ceremony brief but arrange for the hearse to pass the person’s home. Someone else may place most importance on having a particular minister or celebrant lead the service.
This helps the funeral feel personal without relying on a long list of products or additions.
Share the answer with your local Best Funeral Director. It will help them understand where your family wants the greatest care and attention placed.
Can a simple attended funeral still be personal?
Yes. Personalisation does not depend on the number of vehicles, the price of the coffin or the size of the flower display.
A simple attended funeral can include:
- a favourite song;
- a family-written eulogy;
- photographs;
- a personal reading;
- a religious prayer or familiar hymn;
- a particular colour;
- a small item placed with the person, where permitted;
- relatives acting as pallbearers;
- a route past a meaningful location;
- guests making a charitable donation;
- an informal gathering afterwards.
There may be practical limits set by the venue, time available or the particular service being arranged. Your funeral director will explain these before anything is confirmed.
Some fixed simple-funeral products offered by large providers limit the date, time, route, venue, coffin and additional services. This makes it important to ask exactly what can be chosen and what is fixed before agreeing to a service.
Unsure which affordable funeral option is right?
You do not need to choose before speaking to us. Call 0333 242 2368 and we will explain the local options, help you understand likely costs and connect you with your selected Best Funeral Director.
How much does a simple attended funeral cost?
The average UK cost of a simple attended funeral was £3,828 in the 2026 SunLife Cost of Dying Report.
The average simple attended cremation cost £3,518, while the average simple attended burial cost £4,758. These are national averages, so the amount charged locally may be higher or lower.
The final price can depend on:
- whether the funeral ends with cremation or burial;
- local funeral-director charges;
- crematorium or cemetery fees;
- the coffin;
- transport;
- minister or celebrant fees;
- the venue and service time;
- flowers;
- printed materials;
- chapel-of-rest arrangements;
- any additional products or services.
Funeral directors must display a Standardised Price List covering their attended funeral, individual service costs, additional options and relevant local crematorium fees.
Ask for:
- the Standardised Price List;
- the Additional Options Price List;
- a written quotation for your chosen arrangements;
- a breakdown of third-party fees;
- confirmation of what is included;
- details of any restrictions;
- an explanation of what can be removed or adapted.
The CMA guidance states that where a customer does not want one or more elements included in the Standardised Attended Funeral, the funeral director may remove those elements and apply an appropriate discount.
Best focuses on excellent care at a fair and transparent price. The final cost of an attended funeral is based on the local Best Funeral Director’s services and price list, together with the choices made by your family.
Why arrange a simple attended funeral through Best?
A simple funeral still involves important choices about professional care, who will look after the person who has died and how the ceremony will be conducted.
Best makes that decision easier.
We carefully select one local independent Best Funeral Director for each area. We consider:
- local reputation;
- the care offered to families;
- trained and experienced people;
- professional premises;
- mortuary facilities;
- suitable vehicles and equipment;
- local knowledge;
- professional standards;
- the range of funeral services available.
The local Best Funeral Director provides the care and arrangements through their own established business. They become your local point of contact and guide you through the funeral.
Best remains available and accountable for the standards promised. You receive the reassurance of Best alongside the care of identifiable local professionals.
Simple can still be thoughtful, personal and done properly.
Arrange a Best Funeral and know it will be delivered locally by a carefully selected independent Best Funeral Director.
Call Best now on 0333 242 2368 and know you’re in great care.
Frequently asked questions about simple attended funerals
A simple attended funeral can provide the shared ceremony many families need while keeping the arrangements focused and manageable. These answers explain what may be included, how the service differs from other funeral types and which choices remain available.
Q: What is a simple attended funeral?
A: A simple attended funeral is a funeral with a service that family and friends can attend, followed by cremation or burial. It usually includes professional funeral care, a simple coffin and funeral transport, with fewer additional products and services than a traditional funeral.
Q: What is the difference between a simple funeral and direct cremation?
A: A simple attended funeral includes a ceremony attended by family and friends. A direct cremation takes place without an attended service at the crematorium. Families choosing direct cremation can arrange a separate memorial or gathering afterwards.
Q: Can family members attend a simple funeral?
A: Yes. Family members and friends can attend the ceremony. This is the main difference between a simple attended funeral and an unattended direct funeral.
Q: Can a simple attended funeral be religious?
A: Yes. The ceremony can be led by a minister or faith leader and may include prayers, hymns and religious readings. It can also be civil, humanist or non-religious.
Q: Can we choose burial rather than cremation?
A: Yes. A simple attended funeral can end with either burial or cremation, subject to the services available from the funeral director and the chosen cemetery or crematorium.
Q: Does a simple funeral include a hearse?
A: It commonly includes a hearse or another suitable ceremonial vehicle. The exact vehicle and route should be confirmed with the funeral director before making the arrangements.
Q: Can we visit the person who has died?
A: A chapel-of-rest visit may be available, depending on the funeral director, the circumstances and the service chosen. Ask whether visiting is included, whether an appointment is needed and what times are available.
Q: Can we choose the funeral date and time?
A: This depends on the funeral director and venue. Some fixed simple-funeral products restrict the available dates and times. A local funeral director can explain which appointments are available before the service is confirmed.
Q: Is a simple attended funeral cheaper than a traditional funeral?
A: It generally costs less because it often uses a simpler coffin, fewer vehicles and fewer additional services. SunLife’s 2026 averages were £3,828 for a simple attended funeral and £4,510 for a traditional attended funeral.
Q: Can a simple funeral still include personal music and a eulogy?
A: Yes. Music, readings, photographs and family tributes can usually be included, provided they fit within the venue’s rules and the time available.
Arrange a simple attended funeral with Best
A simple attended funeral gives family and friends the chance to come together, share memories and say goodbye, without adding services that do not feel necessary.
Best has already selected the local independent funeral director who will provide the care and arrangements in your area. One call gives you someone to guide you from here.
Enter your postcode to see the Best Funeral Director carefully selected for your area, or call Best at any time on 0333 242 2368.