Professional arrangements
Guidance, administration, coordination and support from our funeral team.
Simple funeral
A dignified attended funeral with the essential elements included
A simple funeral offers a respectful cremation or burial with mourners present, while keeping the arrangements clear, practical and more affordable than a fully bespoke traditional funeral.
- Mourners may attend
- A respectful funeral ceremony
- Clear, defined arrangements
A meaningful farewell, kept straightforward
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Family attendance
Mourners can be present for the funeral
Essential arrangements
A defined service without unnecessary extras
Clear pricing
Costs explained before arrangements proceed
Local support
Arranged by our independent Heathfield team
Understanding the service
What is a simple funeral?
A simple funeral is an attended funeral with a carefully defined range of services. It provides the essential elements needed for a dignified farewell while limiting some of the choices and additional features associated with a traditional funeral.
The funeral may take place at a crematorium, cemetery, churchyard or another suitable location, depending on the chosen service and local availability.
Family and friends can attend the ceremony, listen to music, hear readings and share tributes. The main difference is that the arrangements are based around a straightforward package rather than being individually built from a wide range of optional elements.
We explain exactly what is included, which choices remain available and any circumstances that could alter the final price.
What is included
The essential elements of an attended funeral
The exact inclusions should be confirmed in your written estimate, but a simple funeral is designed around the following core arrangements.
Care of the person
Respectful care from the time they are brought into our care until the funeral.
A suitable coffin
A simple coffin appropriate for the cremation or burial arrangements.
Funeral transport
Transport to the place of service or committal in accordance with the package.
An attended ceremony
Family and friends can gather for a service and final farewell.
Coordination on the day
Our team oversees the funeral and supports the family throughout the ceremony.
Everything essential, handled with care
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How it works
Arranging a simple funeral
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01
Speak with our family team
We explain the service, the available choices and whether it suits your circumstances.
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02
Choose cremation or burial
We confirm the location, availability and any third-party charges.
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03
Plan the ceremony
You can select suitable music, readings, tributes and a person to lead the service.
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04
Confirm the written estimate
We provide clear details of what is included and any additional costs.
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05
Attend the funeral
Our team coordinates the day and remains present to support the family.
Available choices
A simple funeral can still feel personal
Keeping the arrangements straightforward does not prevent the ceremony from reflecting the person who has died.
Depending on the selected service and location, you may still be able to choose:
- Music for entry, reflection and departure
- Readings, poems, prayers and family tributes
- A minister, celebrant or family-led service
- Photographs or a simple visual tribute
- Flowers or another modest coffin tribute
- The handling of ashes following cremation
We will identify which choices are included and which would create an additional charge.
Simple does not have to mean impersonal
A funeral becomes meaningful through the people present, the words spoken and the memories shared.
Our role is to help you focus on those elements while keeping the practical arrangements manageable.
Compare the options
Simple funeral, traditional funeral or direct cremation?
This service
Simple funeral
An attended ceremony with the essential funeral arrangements and a defined range of choices.
- Mourners attend
- A ceremony takes place
- Choices are more limited
- Designed to control cost
More flexibility
Traditional funeral
A bespoke funeral with broader choices around vehicles, coffin, procession, ceremony and additional services.
- Mourners attend
- Highly personalised
- Wider choice of options
- Usually a higher cost
No attendance
Direct cremation
An unattended cremation without a ceremony at the crematorium.
- No mourners attend
- No chapel ceremony
- Crematorium chooses timing
- Lowest-cost cremation option
Simple funeral cost
A defined service with a clear written estimate
The funeral director's charges are only part of the overall cost. Crematorium, cemetery, church, minister, celebrant, medical and other third-party fees may also apply.
We confirm all known costs in writing and explain which charges are fixed, estimated or payable directly to another organisation.
From
Price on application
View funeral cost guidance
Independent, local and family owned
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Why choose Wealden?
Straightforward arrangements without losing personal care
A lower-cost funeral should still be handled attentively and respectfully. Our family team provides the same clear communication and professional care throughout the arrangements.
Local family team
Your arrangements are handled by people based in Heathfield.
Clear boundaries
We explain exactly what is and is not included in the service.
Respectful choices
We help you personalise the ceremony within the available options.
No pressure
We discuss alternatives openly so you can choose with confidence.
Wealden Funeral Services is an independent, family-owned funeral director based in Heathfield and accredited by the National Association of Funeral Directors.
Common questions
Questions about simple funerals
Yes. Unlike direct cremation, a simple funeral includes an attended ceremony where family and friends can gather and say goodbye.
Yes. Music, readings, tributes and other personal details can usually be included, although the range of choices may be narrower than with a traditional funeral.
A simple burial may be possible depending on the cemetery or churchyard, grave availability and local fees. We will confirm the suitable options and costs.
Third-party charges may be separate from the funeral director's fee. Your written estimate will clearly identify crematorium, burial, officiant and any other external costs.
Some additions may be possible, but they may move the arrangements beyond the defined simple funeral service. We will explain the alternatives and revised cost before you decide.
A simple funeral is attended and includes a ceremony. Direct cremation takes place without mourners attending and without a funeral service at the crematorium.
Talk through the choices
We will explain whether a simple funeral suits your family
Call our family team for clear information about availability, inclusions, costs and alternative funeral options.
Call 01435 868844
Available 24 hours a day