Unattended Funerals

Name: Brunel Independent Funeral Directors
Address: 3 Concorde Dr, Bristol, BS10 6PZ, UK
Telephone: 0117 374 2002
Price range: ££

At Brunel Funeral Directors, we understand that every farewell is unique.

Home > Funeral Services > Unattended Funerals

Unattended Funerals (Direct Cremation) £1175

Unattended funerals offer a respectful and dignified option for those who prefer a more private approach. We are committed to providing compassionate and professional services, ensuring that your loved one’s final wishes are honoured with the utmost care and respect. With this option it is advisable to remember that there is no visiting, dressing or knowing the dates of when the cremation will happen.

For those of you that feel you need to have closure and to be able to say goodbye even though you don’t attend the cremation, we also have our Direct Cremation Plus £1825. Everything is the same as a Direct service however, we are able to dress your loved one, and will be given the use of our chapel for an hour to be able to say goodbye, play some music, be with family or just to sit quietly. The choice is yours.

What is an Unattended Funeral or Direct Cremation

An unattended cremation is a committal service, where there is no attendance by family or friends other than the funeral staff. This option is often chosen for various personal, financial, or practical reasons. While it is simpler and more private, an unattended cremation still ensures that your loved one is laid to rest with dignity.

Unattended funerals are becoming an increasingly popular choice, offering a straightforward and affordable alternative to traditional funerals. Whether due to personal preference or budget considerations, this option allows for a farewell without the formalities of a traditionally attended funeral service.

Why Choose Brunel Funeral Directors for Unattended Funerals?

At Brunel Funeral Directors in Bristol, we approach every service with compassion and professionalism. We understand that the decision to have an unattended funeral is often made with careful consideration, and our team is here to ensure that the process is handled smoothly and with respect.

Expert guidance: Our experienced team is on hand to guide you through every step of arranging an unattended funeral, providing clear and compassionate advice.
Transparent pricing: We believe in transparency, and our unattended funeral services come with clear, upfront pricing, so you know exactly what to expect without any hidden costs.
Dignified service: Although no family or friends will be present, we ensure that the funeral is carried out with the same level of care and dignity as any other service.

Our Unattended Funeral Services

Brunel Funeral Directors offers comprehensive unattended funeral services that cover all necessary arrangements, allowing you to focus on what matters most. Our services include:

Professional care: Our team will handle all aspects of the funeral, from collecting the deceased and their care in our funeral home, providing the coffin, ensuring they are laid to rest with the utmost respect (outside of office hours collection will incur a surcharge).

Legal and administrative support: We take care of all legal and administrative tasks, including the completion of necessary paperwork and obtaining the required permits.

Optional : We will arrange for the ashes to be scattered at the crematorium or, we can return them to our funeral home for collection.

Contact Brunel Funeral Directors in Bristol

If you’re considering an unattended funeral in Bristol, Brunel Funeral Directors is here to assist you with compassionate and professional care. Our team is ready to help you navigate this difficult time, providing the support you need to make informed decisions that honour your loved one’s memory. Feel free to contact us today to talk to our team and find out more about our funerals and other services. You can send us an email at admin@brunelfd.co.uk or call 0117 374 2002.

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Read Our Reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Steve Warren 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thanks to all the team, Mum's funeral went brilliantly, they supported us through out the process at this difficult time.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nicola Mills 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently entrusted Brunel Funeral Directors with our dear dad’s funeral, and from the very first phone call we felt supported, calm and listened to. Louise guided us through the arrangements with such gentleness and clarity, and she matched us with a celebrant who truly understood our family and what mattered to us.

On the day itself, Chris was considerate, organised and quietly reassuring — helping make an incredibly difficult and emotional day feel a little more bearable. Every detail was handled with care, respect and professionalism.

At a time when you need kindness and steady guidance, Brunel provided exactly that. We would definitely recommend them. Thank you from all Teds family x
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   James 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We used Brunel Funeral Directors after loosing my father and couldn’t have asked for a more caring and attentive service. We opted for a cremation only service and after making an enquiry with the national company that comes up everywhere was glad to find Brunel Funeral Directors local to us, a huge difference in even the first phone call. At no point were we left without a full understanding of what was happening next and the team went at the pace our family needed. Would highly recommend them to take care of your loved one when the time arrives.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Michael Brunton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. To the team at Brunel Funeral Directors, Thank you, Thanks for the support over the past few weeks and making my dad's funeral as smooth as an occasion possibly be. Thank you for the support you have shown myself and especially towards my mum, we greatly appreciate it.

We came to Brunel with the unknown, We didn't know what to do or how to do it, The advise Louise gave to us helped us progress stuff in an already difficult time, All the team we met are incredibly friendly, Kind and caring ensuring that our loved one was looked after every step of the way.  They picked the perfect celebrant for us and catered to our needs every step of the way, Many thanks Brunel & all the best for the future.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Wooky 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Staff at Brunel Funeral Directors are Kind, Compassionate, Friendly and is a team where your loved one will be looked after every step of the way & this includes the family too! The passing of my dad was very tough & is still extremely raw, But the team here helped every step of the way, The advise they provided, The kind words, The openness are all something we really appreciated. No question is a silly question and they will help every step of the way! Please use this Funeral Directors and as they are the best in Bristol!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lisa Grant 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Honestly I'm not sure how I would of coped without the care and compassion this amazing team have given me after losing my husband. As a family we felt we weren't just a number. We were a family grieving! And this was portrayed in the way they spoke to us & how they listened to us! I felt like I've known them all my life. They were fantastic and I can't thank them enough. They made the most painful time of my life bearable in the best way they could. So thank you everyone for not just being there for me but Simon too.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kerrystadds Kerry 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely amazing send off for our MUM on 29th July 2026, From start to finish everything was perfect. We as a family would highly recommend Brunel funeral. Louise, Chris  & their team were very attentive,  professional, warm, understanding & we all felt really relaxed & at ease, the whole process was so smooth & thoughtful, we even got to choose the colour of Chris and Craig's ties and hankies. I could go on & on. Absolutely genuinely compassionate people doing what they love ❤️ x x x
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jessica King 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My mum, myself and our family want to say a massive thank you to  EVERYONE at brunel funeral directors. From start to finish you all have made my gramps day/last journey so special. From first meeting Louise, she was brilliant, down to earth, she listened, talked us through everything. Highly recommend!  Thank you again From the King family
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Katy Vincent 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From the very first phone call the team at Brunel were so helpful. Everything was arranged with ease, efficiency, care and dignity. Louise matched us with a great celebrant for the service and this was beautiful.
A special mention to Chris who was calm and personable when he collected Mum and very professional during the service  despite melting in his uniform in the 30 degree heat.
I would highly recommend Brunel Independent Funeral Directors.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   pat prior 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We cannot fault the care and attention we received from everyone at Brunel Funeral Directors. Our situation was unusual in that it was mainly friends  involved with the organisation, as family live at a distance and abroad. Also that it involved a burial almost an hour away. Add to that an amber weather alert. However, at every stage Chris and his team were wonderful, cool, calm and efficient, from the office to the idyllic burial spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an unattended funeral mean?

Unattended funerals allow families to give their loved ones a dignified send-off, without the need for a lengthy service or present mourners.

Our team will collect the deceased, prepare them to be laid to rest, and then complete the burial or cremation in line with their requests.

Dignified, private, and simple – unattended funerals are a respectful way to honour the wishes of your loved one without the customary fuss of a traditional funeral.

If you want to discuss the send-off your friend or family member might prefer, feel free to call us on 0117 374 2002 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or by email at admin@brunelfd.co.uk. Our specialists would be delighted to help in this difficult time.

Can you legally stop someone from going to a funeral?

If you are holding a funeral celebration for a loved one in the UK, you cannot stop someone from attending by law, unless it has been designated as private in advance, or the attendee would pose a genuine risk of harm.

Outside of these exceptions, your funeral director will arrange the service and lead it, ensuring everything runs smoothly and looking after mourners. If you suspect there may be cause for concern, you can consider a private or unattended funeral.

It would also be beneficial to inform your funeral director if you worry there might be an issue. All information you give us will be kept confidential, and if we are aware of potential problems in advance, we can tailor the service accordingly.

What do you call a funeral without service?

A funeral with no service is known by many names, including silent funerals, unattended funerals, or direct cremations/burials.

It essentially refers to any send-off that involves a burial or cremation without a service beforehand.

They are often chosen for personal, financial, or practical reasons.

For more advice about what an unattended funeral involves, call us on 0117 374 2002 and we’ll find a solution for your loved one.

Service Packages

Direct Cremation

£1175

Our Unattended Funeral (Direct Cremation) offers a simple and straightforward cremation without any formal ceremony. When you choose this service, we will arrange a respectful cremation without any mourners present. Your loved one will be brought into the care of our funeral home and will be given utmost care in our controlled facilities until the day of cremation. We will use a specialist vehicle to transport them on the day of the funeral, and the ashes will be collected within a couple of days for you to arrange collection if desired. This option allows you to arrange a unique gathering, at a later date.

Full Guidance and support is available to you throughout our service.

Funeral Costs include –

Completion of all arrangements on your behalf
Bringing your loved one into care (within a 15 mile radius*)
Care of deceased in climate-controlled facilities
Simple cremation coffin
Transportation to the crematorium in suitable vehicle
Cremation Fee
Ashes Scattered or returned to family

*Over 15 mile radius a mileage charge will apply

Excludes, Choice of day, date or time of committal. Visiting or Attendance at crematorium

Additional cost that may apply could include, specialist coffin, out of hours collection.

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Direct Cremation Plus

£1825

Similar to the Direct Cremation, our Direct Plus service maintains the same respectful approach. However, some families express a desire for additional moments of closure. With Direct Plus, you have the option to dress your loved one in their own clothes and apply makeup if desired. We’ll then provide an hour in our chapel of rest. Here, you can play music, reminisce, or simply spend quiet time with your loved one. Additionally, we’ll share the funeral date, allowing you and your loved ones to come together for a moment to raise a glass or light a candle.

Funeral Costs include –

- Bringing your loved one into care (within a 15 mile radius*)
- Completion of all arrangements on your behalf
- Care of deceased in climate-controlled facilities
- Provision of a Simple cremation coffin
- Dressing deceased in own clothes or gown
- Use of the chapel of rest for an hour.
- Transportation to the crematorium in suitable vehicle
- Date of Funeral shared (not time)
- Cremation Fee
- Ashes scattered or returned to family

*Over 15 mile radius a mileage charge will apply

Additional cost that may apply could include, specialist coffin, out of hours collection, upgraded coffin etc

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Normal office hours are 0900 – 1700

We are available 24/7 on the phone and for immediate assistance

Additional items and upgrades are available for additional costs

Prices are correct at time of printing, but may be subject to amendment

We will help you through the process
every step of the way.

Leave your number below for a call to discuss your situation

You can leave us an email at or call 0117 374 2002

Find Us!

Get in touch with us when you’re in need of help and support in a difficult time.

Our funeral home is now fully monitored for added security, ensuring peace of mind for families and visitors.

0117 374 2002 admin@brunelfd.co.uk

3 Concorde Drive, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS10 6PZ

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