Our Distinct Cremation Direct Cremation Review

Do Distinct Cremations Have a Paper Brochure Available?

For Distinct Cremation Funeral Plans you have the option of downloading a paper brochure in PDF format, or you can order one for delivery by post. This will be necessary if you wish to apply by post, as the brochure contains the application form.

In addition, they have published a Guide to Arranging a Funeral available in the same formats.

Beware, however, that the company will ask you to leave contact information prior to ordering either document. This may prompt further marketing contact by phone, post or email, but you should be able to opt out at any time.

How do I Purchase a Distinct Direct Cremation Funeral?

A direct cremation funeral can be purchased by phone following the death of the deceased. 

How do I Purchase a Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan?

Either of the two plan options may be purchased online, by phone or by post.

If purchasing by post, you will need to either download or request delivery of the paper brochure.

What Type of Coffin does Distinct Cremations provide?

An unvarnished, veneer chipboard coffin is supplied with all Distinct Cremations services.

What Happens to Medical Devices and Jewellery?

Removal of medical devices is included in the cost of caring for the deceased. Removal of jewellery and other valuables is available for an extra £50.

Can I Choose where the Cremation Takes Place?

If you opt for an unattended cremation, you will have no choice over the crematorium, but Distinct will endeavour to ensure that their selection is as near as possible.

If you opt for an attended cremation you may select one of Distinct’s partner crematoria to hold the funeral service. This will be one of thirty-six venues around the UK operated by the Westerleigh Group.

Will Distinct Tell me the Date of Cremation?

You have the option to be informed of the date of cremation if you are purchasing the unattended, Direct Cremation funeral. 

How Can I Pay for My Funeral or for My Plan?

Payment for a Distinct Cremations Direct Cremation Funeral will be taken by debit or credit card over the phone at the time of the arrangement.

Full payment for a Distinct Cremations Plan can be made by debit or credit card, or by cheque. If you wish to pay by card with an application by post, Distinct will call you upon receipt of the application to take the payment over the phone.

Please note that Distinct Cremations requires payment in full before a cremation is carried out. 

Instalment payments contributing towards payment of the funeral plans will be made by Direct Debit. Note that Distinct Cremations reserves the right to cancel a plan if you are unable to honour two consecutive monthly payments.

Can I Pay off my Instalment Plan Early?

Distinct Cremations will accept early settlement if you are paying by instalment towards a funeral plan. 

If you are paying in full or over twelve months you may also upgrade or downgrade your plan between the unattended, Direct Cremation Plan, and the attended, Intimate Cremation Plan. This option is not available if paying over five or ten years.

Are Special Offers or Distinct Discounts Available?

Distinct Cremations does not appear to be running any promotional offers at this time, nor do they offer discounts to selected groups.

They have, however, published a detailed article on seeking help with funeral costs.

Will I Receive Documentation?

If you are purchasing a Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan, you will receive your customer pack within five working days containing all of the following documentation: 

• A welcome letter.
• A summary of benefits and exclusions.
• A record for your wishes and special requests.
• A plan schedule confirming your plan number, payment terms and method.
• A copy of the terms and conditions.

Who Should I Tell About My Plan?

When you apply for a Distinct Cremations Funeral Plan, they will ask you to nominate a representative whom they can contact to inform them of the plan’s existence. 

However, we suggest that you inform all of your closest loved ones that you have purchased the plan, and how they can obtain the documentation to make a claim.

Remember also to update Distinct Cremations with any changes of your address or contact details after you have purchased a plan.

How will My Loved Ones Claim the Plan Benefits?

Following your death, your nominated representative or another family member will need to contact Distinct Cremations to claim the plan benefits on your behalf.

Full guidance should be outlined in your customer  pack. However, at minimum, your representative will need to present Distinct Cremations with a copy of your death certificate so they are able to authorise transfer of the funds to pay for your funeral.

What happens if Distinct Cremations goes Bust?

Distinct Funeral Plans Ltd. is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

If you purchase a funeral plan while opting to pay in full or over twelve months your money will be divided into two:

£600* is paid to Distinct Cremations to cover the immediate expenses of administering your funeral plan. A breakdown of these costs is available in the plan terms and conditions.

£899* is invested in the Distinct Funeral Plans Trust, overseen by independent trustees with investment decisions managed by UBS. Distinct Cremations cannot access the funds in the trust except to provide you with a funeral, or to give you a refund if you request one. A copy of the fund’s annual solvency assessment is available on request.

If you purchase a funeral plan while opting to pay over five years the first twelve instalments will be paid to Distinct Cremations as commission from the insurer. For all later instalments, Distinct will retain £5.60 from each instalment to cover the immediate expenses of administering your funeral plan. 

If you purchase a funeral plan while opting to pay over ten years the first twenty-four instalments will be paid to Distinct Cremations as commission from the insurer. For all later instalments, Distinct will retain £3.75 from each instalment to cover the immediate expenses of administering your funeral plan. 

All remaining funds paid towards either the five or ten year plan are invested in whole of life assurance policies with Scottish Friendly. Scottish Friendly is also regulated by the FCA, while funds invested with them should enjoy the protection of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

In the event that Distinct Cremations ceases trading, either the trust or Scottish Friendly will seek to work with other providers to offer you the plan benefits. It’s possible, however, that you may need to pay a little extra if the services of another provider are engaged.

*For the Intimate Cremation Plan, these sums are £650 and £1,149 respectively.

How do I Make Enquiries?

Enquiries can be made by email or by phone.

A Direct Cremation Funeral can be arranged twenty-four hours, seven days a week on their free-phone number: 0808 296 1305.

For general enquiries and the purchasing of funeral plans, they can be reached on 0808 296 1126.

Their email address is info@distinctcremations.co.uk.

The company also has a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, but it’s not clear if these accounts are monitored for the purpose of making enquiries.

Are there any Hidden Costs?

Distinct Cremations Direct Cremation Funeral Service should cover most of the essentials. However, extra provision will have to be made for contingencies such as out of hours collection of the deceased, doctors’ fees and the removal of jewellery.

For their funeral plans, unforeseen changes in taxes and regulations enacted between the date the plan is purchased and the death of the beneficiary may require Distinct Cremations to levy additional charges. However, this is a standard term of funeral plans offered by most other providers.

Can I Transfer Arrangements to/from another Provider?

Distinct cremations will not accept the transfer of funeral plan funds from other providers. 

Transfer of a plan held with Distinct to another provider will require cancellation of the plan.

Are they Eco-Friendly?

Distinct Cremations’ parent, the Westerleigh Group, publishes information on the environmental impact of their network of crematoria.

According to a press release, Westerleigh was the first cremation authority in the UK to officially adopt the new Environmental Policy Statement introduced by the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA) in 2021.

Who Owns Distinct Cremations?

Distinct Cremations Ltd. and Distinct Funeral Plans Ltd. are subsidiaries of the Westerleigh Group, which operates a network of thirty-six crematoria throughout the UK. The largest ultimate parent is Western Topco Ltd., a company registered in St Helier, Jersey.

A cremation arranged with Distinct will take place in a Westerleigh operated crematorium, meaning that every stage of the funeral process is looked after by the group’s own staff.