What is an Aura Funeral? Explanation & Review

*Collaborative Post

Choosing someone to help honour your loved one can feel overwhelming and emotionally heavy. If you are faced with the prospect of having to consider and compare funeral providers and different types of burials, cremations, and services, knowing where to turn for help may feel daunting, but we can help with that. 

Today, we’re going to take a look at Aura Funerals to learn what it means and what other families in similar situations think of it. 

Introduction to Aura Funerals

Aura Funerals is a family-run funeral provider, and many people simply call their funeral packages an “Aura funeral.” They are known for their flexible, personal, and accessible approach that is designed to help families from all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures pay tribute to their loved ones in a way they see fit. Learning more about who they are and where they come from may help you to decide whether or not you wish to explore their services further. 

Who are Aura Funerals?

Aura Funerals, founded in 2019, has its origins in Paul Jameson’s personal experience years earlier. In 2017, Paul was diagnosed with a rare, incurable motor neurone disease and given just six months to live. Confronted with his mortality, he felt more concern for how his death would affect his family than for himself, worrying about unorganised affairs and the cost and impersonality of a traditional funeral.

Determined to make a difference, Paul set out to find purpose in his final months by creating a lasting legacy that truly reflected his values. Defying doctors’ expectations, he had lived far beyond his prognosis, and by 2019 began working with his son, David, and family friend Ben May, to build a service that would change how people experience end-of-life planning. Aura Funerals was founded from those honest, hopeful conversations. Their focus has always been to:

• Introduce simplicity to the world of funeral planning and direct cremations 
• Focus on affordability so everyone can pay a tribute they feel happy with, and respect the memory of a departed loved one in their own way
• Build a digital-first funeral planning service that puts loved ones in control 

What sets Aura apart?

Aura Funerals offers a fresh alternative to traditional funerals, giving families more choice and control. Their focus is on helping loved ones be honoured in a way that truly reflects their wishes, while supporting those left behind with compassion and care. Aura offers:

• Online arrangements in order to simplify the process and remove the need for lengthy phone calls or in-person meetings. 
• A range of all-inclusive prepaid direct cremation plans allowing those considering the end of their lives to get their affairs in order while still alive to help lighten the load on those left behind. 
• Aura’s staff are specialists in funeral arranging, and they truly understand every part of funeral planning and end-of-life care. They will stand with you throughout the process, whether it’s managing paperwork or offering a listening ear. They are dedicated to helping the people closest to you with kindness and understanding.
• Fixed pricing on prepaid plans, meaning there are never any hidden charges or top-ups that are required — families always know exactly what they are getting for their budget. 
• Flexible direct cremations, allowing families to receive their loved one’s ashes without feeling the need to spend a large sum of money on a traditional service that may not feel right.
• Aura ensures that your money is protected. The funds for your funeral plan are securely held in an independently managed trust, giving you peace of mind. They are also backed by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for extra security. The latest solvency report shows a funding level of 146%, so you can feel confident putting your trust in them.

Aura’s focus on people and family has been central to who they are since they started in 2019, and the fact that they remain a family-run business means that this is as true today as it has ever been. A human-centred approach is at the heart of everything they do, and is what consistently sets them apart from so much of the rest of the funeral industry. 

What is an Aura funeral plan?

Aura’s prepaid direct cremation plans allow you to arrange and pay for your funeral in advance, helping to protect your wishes and secure their legacy while you are still here.

Aura wants families to be able to remember and honour their loved ones in their own way, without the sudden pressure of arranging and paying for an expensive traditional funeral. Their plans give you the chance to make choices ahead of time, at a pace that feels right, so you stay in control when it matters most.

Overview of available plans

Aura Funerals offers two core types of plans that allow you to decide whether or not you wish to attend in some capacity: 

• Unattended Direct Cremation:
  • Starts from £1,695 and covers all processes of a direct cremation
  • No mourners present, and the crematorium is chosen for you

• Attended Direct Cremation:
  • Starts from £2,395 and covers all aspects of a direct cremation
  • Mourners can attend an intimate service or opt for a full service if they wish
  • You can choose from 45+ trusted crematoria across the UK

All plans can be personalised, and the price that you pay is never adjusted in the future. This means that there are no top-up fees to pay when you are coming to terms with the death of your loved one. Aura’s kind and compassionate team is always on hand to guide you through your options so that you can select a plan that you feel comfortable with in every way. 

Key benefits for families

Aura’s prepaid funeral plans are designed to provide a range of benefits, both practical and emotional, to families who have been shaken by the death of a loved one. Their family-centred approach allows them to focus on what really matters at a time when having simple solutions and constant support can make all the difference: 

• Less stress: Being able to decide in advance what form the funeral should take is something that many families find comforting. They are then not faced with the prospect of suddenly having to organise a complex event when all they want to do is figure out how to find peace after losing someone they love. 
• Lower costs: Aura’s approach focuses on giving families from all walks of life the flexibility and choice to grieve and mourn however they see fit. There is no requirement or expectation to organise a traditional service, and therefore no need to pay for the many additions and features that come with one. 
• Flexible terms: Aura offers cancellation of your plan at any time with a full refund if you’re unhappy with the plan.
• Simpler choices: Knowing that you can receive your loved one’s ashes, sit with them, and take your time when it comes to figuring out what comes next may provide real peace of mind. The choices are simplified at every stage so that you feel able to have your input, but without getting upset or overwhelmed in the process. 

The idea is that families can regain a sense of control, even during the shock and confusion that often follows a death. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by paperwork and practical decisions, they can rely on a plan already discussed and agreed with their loved one. 

Setting up an Aura funeral plan can give families more time and space to grieve and begin to heal. Many see it as a way to ease some of the emotional weight, while ensuring their loved one’s wishes are understood and respected. Involving someone in their own funeral planning can feel reassuring, particularly if there might otherwise be uncertainty about what they would have wanted. An Aura funeral plan can help open these conversations and give families peace of mind, knowing they are arranging a farewell their loved one would truly value.

Understanding Aura’s direct cremation services

The direct cremation process is at the heart of the services Aura Funerals provide and is something that is becoming increasingly common in the UK. As an established method of cremation that has been widely practiced in many countries around the world for years, direct cremations are more of a recent development in the UK. That said, the focus that is placed on respect, dignity, and remembrance perfectly aligns it with longstanding British funeral traditions in a variety of ways. 

Definition and process

A direct cremation is a simple, dignified process carried out with great care by Aura Funerals. Here are some important things to consider when planning a funeral with Aura. Doing so may make you feel more comfortable with how it could work for your family and your loved one: 

• Your loved one is collected from their place of rest by a trained professional who will always treat them with the dignity and respect you would expect. 
• Once collected, your loved one is then prepared for cremation. This involves things such as the removal of medical devices like a pacemaker, but does not typically include embalming in the case of a direct cremation. 
• Your loved one will be laid to rest in a simple coffin
• Once ready, your loved one will be transported to the crematorium in a private ambulance
• When the cremation is complete, your loved one’s ashes will be securely hand-delivered to you within 21 days or scattered in the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance, whatever is preferred. 

One of the most prominent features of a direct cremation is that it is typically not attended by friends or family. This makes it a flexible and personal choice for families who wish to keep the funeral streamlined, minimal, and no-fuss.

Aura’s prepaid direct cremation plans

Aura’s prepaid direct cremation plans help take away future worries and bring peace of mind. By arranging and paying ahead, you can lock in today’s prices, avoid rising funeral costs, and spare your family the stress of decisions during grief. Plans include both attended and unattended cremation options, letting you choose what feels right. 

With everything sorted in advance, loved ones can feel reassured that wishes will be respected and no unexpected bills will arise. Aura’s team guides people through these choices with kindness, never pressure, and understands how hard it can be to plan ahead. There are no admin fees if you need to change your plan, recognising that circumstances can shift. 

Many reviews praise Aura’s calm, caring approach, giving families space and time to prepare. 

Aura’s at-need funeral services

Aura provides compassionate, practical support for families arranging a funeral at the time of need. Their unattended direct cremation service offers a modern option without a traditional ceremony or mourners present, from as little as £1,195. This allows families to say goodbye in their own way, and at a time that suits them.

For those who feel that an in-person service is a better fit, Aura also offers an attended direct cremation from £2,095, which includes a short service with family and friends present. This can be extended to a longer ceremony lasting up to 40 minutes, tailored to the family’s wishes.

Additional support is available to help ease stress during a potentially painful time, including:

Urgent collection (£250): practical reassurance if a sudden death occurs

Hand-return of ashes (£100): a caring option to avoid further distress

Bariatric or oversized coffins (£250): to ensure a respectful resting place if needed

Aura’s experienced team is trained to give families space, support, and guidance without pressure. They understand that arrangements may need to change at short notice, which is why there are no administration fees for adjustments.

Who is an Aura funeral for?

An Aura funeral is designed for anyone who wants to be able to add personal touches to the way they mourn, grieve, and pay tribute to someone they love. A review of online testimonials highlights three core groups of people who tend to naturally gravitate towards Aura Funerals: 

• Budget-conscious individuals often feel more comfortable spending the money that a traditional funeral would cost in other ways. Charitable donations, celebrations of life, or a more relaxed communal gathering several months later are common choices. 
• Minimalists find that the ceremony of a traditional service is something that is either unnecessary in their lives or doesn’t fit. A direct cremation solves this by going back to basics and removing what they may see as the frills that sit around the edges. 
• Planners who like to know that everything is in order in advance may derive great comfort from knowing that they are getting ahead of events. They may also find it serves as a welcome distraction if they have a loved one who is approaching the end of their life. 

Even if you don’t fit neatly into these categories, there are still many reasons to consider an Aura funeral. Some family members might be surprised there isn’t a formal service at a crematorium or place of worship, but you can help them understand your choice. More people are choosing direct cremation every year, driven by rising living costs, a desire for personalisation, and a willingness to break with tradition. Having the freedom to shape a tribute in your own way can be reassuring when so much else feels out of your control — and it may also support the healing process.

Comparing Aura with traditional funeral services

Studies in the UK consistently show a cultural shift toward non-traditional funeral options in recent years. This is not to say that traditional services grounded in religious practices are in any way outdated, but it does mean that a significant number of families are looking for a great range of choices when it comes to paying tribute to their loved one. 

Traditional funeral services will include a number of extras that aren’t being paid for in the case of a direct cremation. An ornate coffin, venue hire for the service, orders of service, cars, and flowers are all hallmarks of a traditional funeral, but you may feel like your loved one would prefer to be celebrated in a different way. 

One of the biggest differences between traditional funeral services and an Aura funeral is the cost. The average funeral cost in the UK is in excess of £4,000, whereas an Aura funeral can start from as little as £1,195. The idea here is not solely to save money for the sake of it, but to use it in a way that the families feel is a more appropriate tribute to their loved one. 

Aura Funerals is also a national funeral-service provider, meaning that they can accommodate urgent and expedited requests in a way that a local crematorium may struggle with. By giving families more choice and less expense, they are focused on reducing the stress the family is under so that the space that arises can be used to grieve and heal on a deeper level. 

Their flexible approach may help you to find a fitting way to pay tribute to the person you love in a way that doesn’t make you feel obliged or compelled to follow tradition. We hope that we have shown you how Aura Funerals can help you, your family, and your loved one feel peace at such a difficult time.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.