What Does Direct Cremation Include? Core Services And Optional Costs
What Does Direct Cremation Include? Core Services And Optional Costs
A direct cremation with Private Cremation is an unattended service with a fixed price of €1,950. This covers the collection of your loved one from hospital, hospice, nursing home or private residence, a simple coffin, crematorium and professional fees, all legal paperwork, a standard urn, hand delivery of the ashes, a cremation certificate, and continuous care team support. While these core services are fully looked after, any choices regarding memorials remain entirely with the family.
We focus on the families we serve, not on the traditional funeral home model. This approach gives you a straightforward, cremation-only option that protects the respect and dignity your loved one deserves. We arrange to collect them from the place of death, look after the cremation once the legal paperwork is complete, and return the ashes directly to you.
With direct cremation, there is no need for a formal funeral service before or after the cremation itself unless you choose to have one. This separation gives your family time to decide on a memorial, a private celebration of life, a scattering ceremony, or simply no formal gathering at all.
A direct cremation is not a new service available in Ireland, it has been existence as long as the Crematoriums but what is new, is the affordable fixed-cost options with no hidden charges, that Private Cremation offers families nationwide with exceptional care, dignity & compassion. Every funeral is unique, See why families choose Private Cremation.
Key Takeaways
Our unattended service is set at a fixed price of €1,950.
This core service covers essential transport, a simple wooden coffin, crematorium fees, doctor or coroner fees, professional fees, all paperwork, an urn, hand-delivered ashes, and the cremation certificate.
Gatherings, celebrations of life, scattering ceremonies, personal keepsakes, floral tributes, catering, and online or newspaper death notices are arranged separately.
A Bespoke Cremation costs €2,250 and includes an attended committal service for family and guests at the crematorium.
Our fixed, fully inclusive pricing makes it easier to compare funeral costs because you know exactly what is included in the upfront quote.
Everything Included In The Private Cremation Service
The €1,950 Private Cremation package covers the main funeral director and third-party costs you need to compare. Our fixed price is fully inclusive, covering the cremation itself, professional care, paperwork, an urn, hand delivery of the ashes, and care team guidance throughout the process.
Our direct services are, on average, 60% cheaper than traditional funeral homes. We always advise families to compare written quotes by checking the exact inclusions, exclusions, transfer guidelines, crematorium fees, and professional support before choosing a provider.
Whats Included In The Fixed-Cost Service
The €1,950 Private Cremation package includes:
Transport from the Hospital, Hospice, Nusring Home or Private Residence to the Crematorium.
A simple, environmentally friendly Wooden Coffin.
Crematorium Fees.
Doctor / Coroner Fees.
Funeral Director Fees.
Legal paperwork and supporting documentation.
Publication of the Death Notice on PrivateCremation.ie.
An Urn for the Ashes.
Hand delivery of the Ashes after the cremation.
Cremation Certificate.
Care, advice, and guidance throughout.
Transfer And Written Quote Clarity
Our price includes collection from a hospital, hospice, nursing home, or private home with no hidden or added surcharges. Private Cremation does not charge extra for a transfer from a nursing home or if your loved one requires an oversized coffin.
The CCPC recommends asking funeral directors for a written estimate and a clear breakdown of each item before making any payments. A transparent list of inclusions is far more helpful than a single, unexplained price line.
If you would like to see how we handle each step, you can read about how private cremation works before speaking with our care team.
Transport And Collection
Collection and transport are covered under our fixed price from any hospital, hospice, nursing home or private home. Because we operate across the entire island of Ireland, you can make these arrangements with us over the phone or online, without needing to visit a funeral home.
Some funeral providers charge separately for private home collections, nursing home transfers, weekend care or out-of-hours service. Be sure to request detailed quotes in writing so you can compare these costs before appointing a funeral director.
Coffin, Crematorium, And Professional Fees
An environmentally friendly wooden coffin is always included in our core package. Our standard coffin size is 6'2" x 24"and is a simple, modern & dignified pine coffin.
We also cover the crematorium fees, doctor or coroner fees, and funeral director fees in our baseline price. These are major expenses that often surprise families when dealing with other providers. If you are comparing funeral costs in Ireland, always check whether these fees are included or will be billed to you later.
Paperwork, Urn, And Ash Return
Our team handles the necessary legal paperwork and supporting documentation as part of the service. We also look after the publication of a death notice on PrivateCremation.ie if required by the family, provide a secure Private Cremation urn that is suitable for repatriation by hand-luggage for international travel, hand-deliver the ashes to your door, and supply the official cremation certificate.
A cremation cannot take place without legal authorisation. We will guide the nearest surviving relative or executor of will through the application forms, using this information to secure the permits, manage the transfer, and help with registration details.
Full And Complete Transparency
Private Cremation is an Irish-owned Direct and Bespoke Cremation specialist based at 26 King’s Inns Street, Dublin 1. Our founder and Funeral Director, Mickey Doyle, has been profiled by the Irish Independent for his dedication to compassionate, straightforward care.
We believe transparency goes beyond pricing. Families deserve to know exactly who is caring for them, where the service is based, and the practical differences between our services & how they are looked after, fully informed and communicated with at all times.
Pricing Structure And Planning Paths
We offer three main paths to help families plan. You can arrange an immediate Private or Bespoke Cremation service for a loved one who has just passed, secure a fixed-cost prepaid funeral plan for the future, or complete a free to register Record of Wishes where the family or estate pays for the service at the time of need.
Private Cremation is Ireland's only Fixed-Cost Prepaid Funeral Plan provider. One Price Lasts a Lifetime.
Offering single payment plans & part payment plans spread over 1, 2 or 3 years. This means you can pay for your funeral with a lump sum or monthly instalments by locking in the current prices and protecting your family against nasty inflation rises.
Our clear pricing structure is fixed, transparent & with no hidden charges.
Exclusive Arrangements upon request
Our aim is not to upsell with arrangements you do not need or may not want.
However every funeral is unique and we are able to offer exclusive arrangements and can tailor your choice of service to your wishes.
We Let Results Speak for Themselves
You can read our verified client reviews on Trustmary, where Private Cremation holds a 5.0 rating across 135 reviews. The Irish Independent has also profiled Mickey Doyle and our simple, lower-cost, highly dignified cremation model.
What Can Vary - Optional Choices Outside The Core Service
The €1,950 package is designed to look after the direct cremation and the return of the ashes. This leaves you in complete control of the timing, location, style and cost of any memorial ceremony. You can choose to hold a service in a church, at home, in a meaningful outdoor setting, or choose to have no formal ceremony at all.
Memorial Gatherings And Celebrations Of Life
Because a direct cremation is unattended, it is a practical choice for families who want cremation without a funeral at the time of the cremation. You are then free to plan a personal memorial, a celebration of life, or a gathering on your own timeline.
A memorial can take place in a family home, a community centre, a church, or a favourite outdoor space that holds special meaning. Some families choose to mark the loss privately without a formal gathering.
This flexibility is incredibly helpful when family members live abroad and need time to travel, or when family circumstances require careful coordination. Having this extra time allows you to carry out your loved one's final wishes in a way that feels right for everyone.
Scattering Ceremonies And Keepsakes
Scattering ceremonies, keepsake urns, bio-urns for planting trees, water urns, and ashes-at-sea plans are separate from the core direct cremation service. We view these as optional choices for families rather than standard features of the basic €1,950 package.
We can provide a selection of scatter pods, keepsakes, and biodegradable urns if you wish. You can also choose to orgainse the interment of ashes, place them in a columbarium wall, or nominate our team to scatter the ashes on your behalf in accordance with your written instructions.
If you choose to have us scatter the ashes on your behalf, we will talk you through the options and record your instructions clearly.
Private Cremation Vs Bespoke Cremation
Private Cremation is designed for families who want a quiet, unattended direct cremation with the ashes returned to them by hand. Bespoke Cremation is for families who wish to have relatives and friends present at the crematorium. While both options share the same core care and principles, the Bespoke service includes an attended committal service in the crematorium chapel or spiritual space.
| Comparison Point | Private Cremation (€1,950) | Bespoke Cremation (€2,250) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €1,950 | €2,250 |
| Service Type | Direct, private, unattended cremation | Cremation with a crematorium service for family and guests |
| Chapel Committal | No chapel service included | Attended chapel or committal service at a crematorium |
| Celebrant Option | A memorial celebrant can be arranged separately by the family | A celebrant can be booked independently, with recommendations available |
If you need more details before making your choice, you can read our direct cremation FAQs.
What Bespoke Cremation Adds
A Bespoke Cremation includes all the features of our Private Cremation package, plus a committal service in the chapel at one of Ireland’s eight crematoriums. This service can be religious, civil, or completely non-religious, depending on your preferences and chapel availability.
We work closely with officiants across the country and are happy to provide recommendations or help coordinate the timing, these include Clergy, Celebrants and Humanists. You can also choose an intimate family-led service or invite someone you know to speak. Alternatively you can book an independent celebrant to lead the service. It is entirely up to you or your family how committal service time spent celebrating your unique life.
Choosing Between The Two
Private Cremation is often chosen by families who prefer a quiet, unattended process followed by a private memorial later on, or no formal ceremony at all. It is also a very supportive choice if you want to make arrangements quickly and remotely, without having to visit a funeral home. Family members may be spread out in different countries & its not possible for all to gather together at short notice.
Bespoke Cremation is best if you want a brief, 20-minute committal service as part of the cremation itself. This allows you to include music, photos, readings, eulogies, or personal family tributes during the committal.
Depending on the crematorium you choose, you can book a double chapel slot or a full service for an additional fee & allows for extra arrangements to be included with the allotted time.
Why Fixed, Transparent Pricing Matters
Unexpected funeral bills cause genuine stress and trauma during an already difficult time. A fixed, fully inclusive price removes this worry because you can see exactly what you are paying for in writing before making a commitment. This transparency makes it much easier to compare different providers.
Why Written Quotes Matter
The fear of hidden fees is one of the most common worries families face when planning a cremation. A published, fixed price provides clear boundaries because all the major funeral director and third-party fees are declared upfront.
The CCPC advises consumers to be very specific about what they want and to always ask for a written, itemised estimate before agreeing to a service. This is important because funeral costs in Ireland can vary widely based on your location, timing, and choice of ceremony.
Questions To Ask Before Choosing A Funeral Provider
Our published inclusions are designed to give you absolute clarity. When comparing our fixed price with another funeral director's quote, we recommend asking these direct questions:
Does your price cover collection from a private home, nursing home, hospice or hospital?
Do you charge extra for collections that happen out of normal business hours?
Are the crematorium, doctor, coroner, and funeral director fees completely covered in the quote?
Does the price include the urn, hand-delivered ashes, and the official cremation certificate?
Which services or memorial choices will be billed as extra?
Many traditional funeral homes apply extra charges for private home collections, nursing home transfers, or weekend services. Getting a detailed, written quote is the best way to protect your family from unexpected costs.
Common Questions About What Direct Cremation Includes
These questions address the most frequent practical concerns families share when looking into direct cremation.
Are Doctor And Coroner Fees Included In The Price?
Yes. All doctor or coroner fees are fully covered by our €1,950 Private Cremation price. Many traditional providers bill these as separate third-party costs, so having them included in our upfront price helps prevent unexpected charges.
Is There A Separate Charge For Collecting The Deceased?
No. The transfer of your loved one from a hospital, hospice, nursing home, or private home is fully covered by our fixed price. We operate nationwide, so our care team will confirm the collection logistics when you contact us.
Can Families Still Hold A Memorial After A Direct Cremation?
Yes. You are completely free to plan a memorial service, a celebration of life, or a scattering ceremony at any time. This separation allows you to choose a setting, format, and date that fits your family's needs and honors your loved one's wishes.
What Is The Difference Between Private Cremation And Bespoke Cremation?
Our Private Cremation service costs €1,950 and provides a quiet, unattended direct cremation. Bespoke Cremation costs €2,250 and includes an attended service in the crematorium chapel, with the option to book an independent celebrant or officiant.
Arrange Direct Cremation With Private Cremation Or A Fixed-Cost Prepaid Funeral Plan For The Future
Our care team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support you. You can arrange an immediate direct cremation remotely from the comfort of your home. If you are planning for the future, we also offer secure prepaid funeral plans and a free Record of Wishes.
Immediate Direct Cremation Arrangements
If you need to make immediate arrangements, our team can take the details, explain the next steps, start the paperwork, and organise the collection. You can review our full list of Private Cremation pricing and inclusions before you call.
Our arrangement process is simple:
Contact our care team by phone, email, or through our website.
Provide the place of death and your family's basic details.
Complete the cremation application and supporting paperwork online.
We arrange the collection and transfer your loved one into care.
The cremation takes place once the legal permits are secured.
We hand-deliver the ashes to you in a secure urn.
Future Planning With Prepaid Plans And Record Of Wishes
Our prepaid plans lock in today's prices for life once the plan is paid in full. You can make a single payment or spread the cost with monthly instalments over one, two, or three years.
Prepaid Plan Payment Options
Our current prepaid plan options are:
Private Cremation Prepaid Funeral Plan: €2,750.
Bespoke Cremation Prepaid Funeral Plan: €2,995.
A single, one-off payment.
Monthly part-payments spread over 1, 2, or 3 years.
Record Of Wishes And Next Steps
We also provide a free to register Record of Wishes. This document lets you write down your funeral preferences and nominate Private Cremation as your funeral director & provider. Your family or estate will simply pay the service price at the time of need.
Setting up a plan for the future is simple:
Choose your preferred service, prepaid plan, or Record of Wishes.
Nominate a representative: either your Nearest Surviving Relative or Executor of Will.
Keep your plan documents, wishes certificate, or carry card in a safe place where your family can find them.
Rest easy knowing that all the practical details are taken care of.
Speak with our care team to learn more about coverage, payments, or how the service works.
To arrange immediate care or discuss future planning, please contact Private Cremation Ireland. Our team is here at any hour to help you understand our services, prepaid plans, and free planning tools.