Direct Cremations. Pure. Simple. A Different Approach to Saying Goodbye

When someone dies, the last thing a family needs is added pressure which is why direct cremations are becoming more popular.

Simple Approach, a family-run funeral service based in Stourbridge, offers families across Dudley and the West Midlands a straightforward, dignified alternative to a traditional funeral — with direct cremation packages advertised at £1,595.

Not everyone wants a traditional funeral. Some people make their wishes clear long before the time comes. Others would rather keep things private, avoid the expense and formality of a conventional service, or give their family the freedom to remember them in their own way.

Whatever the reason, making those choices should be straightforward. And for families already dealing with loss, having someone local to turn to can make a real difference.

That’s the thinking behind Simple Approach.

A Local Service with a Personal Touch

In an age when many services are becoming increasingly centralised, Simple Approach puts local care at the heart of what it does.

Based in Stourbridge, the independent, family-run business serves families across Dudley, the Black Country and the wider West Midlands.

Owner and founder Dan Kendrick has more than 25 years of experience in the funeral industry, working with families in Stourbridge and the Black Country. That experience means the team understands that every family is different, and that people need clear information, practical help and a compassionate approach when making difficult decisions.

The aim is simple: to take care of the arrangements professionally, explain what happens at every stage and help families make choices that feel right for them.

What Is a Direct Cremation?

A direct cremation is a funeral without a traditional service at the crematorium. The cremation takes place without mourners attending, and there is no formal procession, minister, celebrant or service included in the standard package.

For some people, that’s exactly what they want.

They may prefer not to have a funeral at all, or they may feel that a formal ceremony isn’t necessary to honour a life. Others want to keep things simple financially and hold their own gathering or celebration of life at a later date.

A direct cremation gives families that flexibility. Rather than organising a ceremony around a particular date and venue, they can choose how and when to remember their loved one in a way that feels personal to them.

And choosing a simpler funeral doesn’t mean compromising on care.

What Does £1,595 Include?

Simple Approach advertises its direct cremation package at £1,595, with no hidden costs stated for the standard package.

The service includes the essential arrangements, so families don’t have to organise everything themselves.

The package includes:

• Preparation of the necessary paperwork and administration.
• Transfer of the person who has died into the company’s care.
• Care of the deceased.
• A simple coffin and dressing robe.
• An unattended direct cremation.
• Transfer to the crematorium.
• The cremation fee.
• The option to arrange a visit to the Chapel of Rest at an additional cost.

The team guides families through the process, explains the arrangements and keeps them informed about the cremation and the collection of the ashes.

Optional extras are available, including dressing the deceased in their own clothes, visiting the Chapel of Rest and arranging a private service. Families should check the current prices and exactly what is included when making arrangements.

The emphasis is on clarity: understanding the options and costs before making a decision, without feeling pressured into buying services they don’t want.

What If the Family Still Wants a Chance to Say Goodbye?

Choosing a direct cremation doesn’t necessarily mean a family wants to forgo every opportunity for a personal farewell.

Simple Approach recognises that people can have different needs, even within the same family.

For those who would appreciate a more personal moment, the company offers the option of a short, private service in its Chapel of Rest before the unattended cremation takes place.

The service can accommodate up to 12 people for 30 minutes, at an additional cost. Families can say a few words themselves or ask about arranging a minister or celebrant.

It can be a useful middle ground: keeping the arrangements simple while allowing a small circle of family and friends to come together, share memories and say goodbye.

Local Knowledge Matters

Simple Approach is based at 76–82 Cemetery Road, Stourbridge, and serves communities including Dudley, Kingswinford, Kidderminster, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton.

The company uses local crematorium facilities, including Waseley Hills Crematorium in Rubery, South Birmingham, for its direct cremation arrangements.

For families who value dealing with a local funeral professional rather than a large national call centre, that local connection may be an important consideration.

Simple Approach is also a member of the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF), an industry association for independent funeral directors.

Planning Ahead Can Make a Difference

Funeral arrangements are not something most people enjoy thinking about. But discussing wishes in advance can help remove uncertainty and give family members a clearer idea of what their loved one would have wanted.

Simple Approach also offers funeral plan options for people who would prefer to make arrangements ahead of time.

Whether you’re planning for the future or need to make arrangements following a bereavement, the team is available to explain the options and answer questions.

There’s no need to have everything worked out before picking up the phone.

If you’re beginning to explore your options, our guide to planning a funeral in the UK explains some of the decisions families may need to make when arranging a funeral.

Simple, Dignified and Your Way

There is no single right way to say goodbye. Some families want a traditional funeral with all the familiar elements. Others prefer a quieter, more private approach.

What matters is having the information and support to make an informed choice.

For families in Dudley and the wider West Midlands, Simple Approach offers a local, family-run alternative, combining experienced funeral professionals with a straightforward approach to direct cremation.

Local. Pure. Simple.

Sometimes, keeping things simple is exactly what a family needs.

Find Out More

To discuss direct cremation options, ask about costs or find out more about planning ahead, contact Simple Approach.

Simple Approach Ltd
76–82 Cemetery Road, Stourbridge, DY9 8DB

Telephone: 01384 470122 — available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Website: www.simpleapproach.co.uk

If you’re considering a direct cremation, it can help to understand the process and the questions you may wish to ask before making a decision. The Cremation Society of Great Britain provides information about cremation, including guidance for people thinking about direct cremation.

About Our Trusted Partner

Simple Approach is a trusted partner of Nature’s Needs. This article is a paid feature, published in collaboration with Simple Approach to introduce readers to its direct cremation services. It is not an affiliate promotion.