A new direct cremation business has launched, creating jobs and targeting growth in one of the UK funeral sector’s fastest-expanding markets.
We Are Direct Cremations has been established by the Lymn Rose family, which runs one of the country’s longest established funeral directors, following its acquisition of Hammerwich Crematorium last year.
The venture currently employs four full-time staff and is expected to scale its workforce as demand increases. All cremations are carried out at Hammerwich Crematorium in Burntwood.
The move reflects changing consumer behaviour, with more families choosing unattended cremations and holding separate celebrations of life at a later date.
Daily Focus previously reported that the family business had invested £350,000 in refurbishing the eight-acre cemetery and crematorium site, which previously known as Chase and District Crematorium and Memorial Park.
Director Pete Clarson said: “We know that the way in which people are making choices about their own and their family members’ funerals has changed more in the last decade than it has in centuries, with the rise of direct cremations.
“As experts in funerals, we see that this option is in fact exactly what some people want and what is right for them or their loved one, and so we wanted to ensure we offered it to our customers who requested it. Crucially, we will ensure every direct cremation we provide is done properly, with care and consideration.”
A fixed price of £1,050 covers paperwork, collection from a hospital or mortuary, a coffin, care of the deceased, transportation, the cremation itself and either scattering of ashes in the memorial garden or preparation for family collection. Additional charges apply in some circumstances.
Pete added: “Many direct cremation providers are anonymous and, with respect, very new to our industry. With We Are Direct Cremations, each and every cremation we organise is arranged by those who know every law, every requirement and every exception and do their job with utmost compassion. We really are offering a caring alternative to the faceless online direct cremations that have become so commonplace.”
