Fender, depends where you live - different councils have different costs for the crematorium. In my area I can get a 'direct to crem' funeral for £950. That includes the crem fees, the two doctors certificates, a coffin.
There is no service, no embalming, no viewing the body in the chapel of rest, no fancy pants car to take the coffin to the crem.
woofgang, most people don't want the first two or last slots of the day at the crem so the direct to crem funerals bag those slots. They are the cheapest if you want to 'do it yourself' to. You check your councils cremation charges on their website.
No need to use a company like 'pure cremation' . It is 100% legal to just arrange for the body to be delivered direct to the back door of the crematorium and put straight into the furnace. No coffin of any type is necessary a body bag ( £11 on eBay) is acceptable.The body can be delivered any way back, of a van or estate car for example.
All you need to pay is the cost of the death certificate and the clearance for cremation plus the cremation fee of around £350 and the cost of transport .
You will have change from £500. Apply for a death grant from the social fund £1200 , leaves plenty for a p** up at your local boozer for a memorial!
If you are eligible for a funeral grant because you receive a qualifying benefit, there is nobody else to pay for the funeral and the deceased has no estate then you have to provide all receipts with your claim.