UK / AGILITYPR.NEWS / March 23, 2021 / Leading direct cremation pioneer offers sources of comfort on the anniversary of the first national lockdown

In a year which saw an unprecedented rise in the number of direct cremations in the UK, Pure Cremation is sharing some of the most effective ways to help grieving families come to terms with their loss.

The number of direct cremations in 2020 made up 14 per cent of all funerals in the UK throughout the year – a rise from three per cent the previous year.

A direct cremation is where the deceased is collected, cared for and cremated without a service or any mourners present. It provides families with the opportunity to separate the practical aspects from the ceremonial, allowing a greater emphasis on celebrating the life that has been lived, rather than mourning the death. Segmenting the two parts also gives family and friends a new freedom to say goodbye in a more personal and heartfelt way, and to do this how, where and when they want.

However, as the country’s leading dedicated national provider of direct cremation, Pure Cremation recognises that for many of these families, a direct cremation may not have been their first choice. That’s why its staff have gone above and beyond providing simple, dignified cremations to offer practical comfort, expert advice and reassurance to help every family through the grieving process.

Melanie Bambridge, a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor from Norwich and an expert in grief and loss also acknowledges this. She says the way in which our farewells are handled has a direct impact on the way in which those closest to us are able to cope in the weeks, months and years after.

With a national day of reflection planned for Tuesday March 23rd – the anniversary of the first national lockdown – Pure Cremation is sharing a unique range of resources designed to support families trying to cope and manage their grief in what have been unprecedented times.

Catherine Powell, co-founder and director of Pure Cremation commented: “Grief is hugely personal, and everyone deals with it in a different way. That’s why we have developed a range of free resources in order to provide solace to families mourning the loss of a loved one.

“For example, our online memorial platform, Pure Memories, can be accessed at any time, day or night. It can be just for one person, or shared with others who can contribute their stories, videos and photos. It also allows the lighting of memorial candles to mark special dates and anniversaries.”

Other resources include Pure Reflections which offers a series of 12 themes for mourners to remember their loved ones at any time they like.

Whether keeping a favourite photograph close to hand, listening to a piece of music, or writing down thoughts and memories – the ideas can be used in any order to help make time for conscious remembrance and take comfort from it.

Grieving Alone & Together is a guide for grief during a pandemic, published by Pure Cremation and distributed to anyone who needs it, including hospices, hospitals and families mourning a loss.

Offering practical advice and reassurance its aim is to help those who have faced exceptional hardships, such as not being able to visit their terminally ill loved ones or attend their funerals.

The guide also gives practical advice on planning funerals or memorial events for after the pandemic restrictions relax.

Written by grief expert Sara Murphy, PhD. CT, Grieving Alone & Together was adapted for the UK under licence from The Funeral Service Foundation – the charitable arm of the USA’s National Funeral Directors Association.

Catherine Powell, Founder and Director of Pure Cremation, said: “These past 12 months have been incredibly hard on people who are mourning a loss, particularly those who may not have been able to be with their loved ones during the pandemic, or who may not have been able to carry out their final wishes.

“Between them, Pure Reflections, Pure Memories and Grieving Alone & Together offer different ways to remember our loved ones and to manage grief – not only in mourning their loss, but in dealing with being separated from loved ones in their final months.”

Pure Reflections is available at https://cdn.purecremation.com/pdf/Pure-Reflection.pdf

Pure Memories is available at https://www.purememories.co.uk/

Grieving Alone & Together is available from Pure Cremation by calling 0800 033 7737 or by downloading from the Pure Cremation website - https://www.purecremation.co.uk/grief-booklet