Halton’s Direct Cremation Service
Supporting families in Widnes and Runcorn, handled with care.
Our local team will guide you personally through arranging a direct cremation. We will explain where your loved one will be cared for, the choice of crematorium and the full cost before you decide.
- Walton Lea Crematorium: £999
- Widnes Crematorium: £1,295
- Usually completed within: 7 business days
- Visit before the cremation: No charge
Support close to home
Our Widnes branch supports families throughout Halton, including Runcorn. There is no Runcorn branch: families in Runcorn call or visit our Widnes team. Speak with us about collection, paperwork, visiting and ashes arrangements, with clear explanations at every stage
Our Widnes branch, 2 Frederick Street, Widnes WA8 6PG.
One of our hearses outside a stone chapel.
- Widnes: 2 Frederick Street, Widnes WA8 6PG. Telephone 0151 345 6726
Your crematorium choices
Direct cremation is unattended: it takes place without mourners attending. A separate gathering or memorial can be arranged at a time and place that feels right. If you would like to attend, there are attended alternatives:
Direct cremation at Walton Lea Crematorium: £999
All inclusive and guaranteed
What is included
- Collection of your loved one from a hospital, care home or private residence
- Care and preparation in accordance with legal and ethical standards
- All necessary paperwork, including cremation forms and support with registering the death
- A simple coffin of our choosing and of our standard size
- Transport to the crematorium
- Cremation fee included
- Return or scattering of ashes, depending on your family's wishes
Visiting
One visit to our chapel of rest for the applicant or their representative, by appointment during normal office hours, at no charge. Viewing can be arranged at any of our four chapels of rest, by appointment.
Ashes
Return or scattering of ashes, depending on your family's wishes. We will tell you when you can collect the cremated remains from us.
Not included, and additional charges
- Collection outside normal office hours: price on request.
- Collection from further than about 15 miles from our premises: please ask us for the cost before you decide.
- A coffin larger than our standard size: priced separately, please ask.
- Embalming, if you choose it: £245. This includes out of hours chapel visits and a coffin frill.
- For a visit without embalming, a coffin frill is optional: £35 for one chosen to suit your loved one's clothes, or £15 to hire a white one.
- Flowers, orders of service and other extras: shown separately, so you only pay for what you choose.
Direct cremation at Widnes Crematorium: £1,295
All inclusive and guaranteed
What is included
- Collection of your loved one from a hospital, care home or private residence
- Care and preparation in accordance with legal and ethical standards
- All necessary paperwork, including cremation forms and support with registering the death
- A simple coffin of our choosing and of our standard size
- Transport to Widnes Crematorium
- Widnes Crematorium cremation fee included
- Return or scattering of ashes, depending on your family's wishes
Visiting
One visit to our chapel of rest for the applicant or their representative, by appointment during normal office hours, at no charge. Viewing can be arranged at any of our four chapels of rest, by appointment.
Ashes
Return or scattering of ashes, depending on your family's wishes. We will tell you when you can collect the cremated remains from us.
Not included, and additional charges
- Collection outside normal office hours: price on request.
- Collection from further than about 15 miles from our premises: please ask us for the cost before you decide.
- A coffin larger than our standard size: priced separately, please ask.
- Embalming, if you choose it: £245. This includes out of hours chapel visits and a coffin frill.
- For a visit without embalming, a coffin frill is optional: £35 for one chosen to suit your loved one's clothes, or £15 to hire a white one.
- Flowers, orders of service and other extras: shown separately, so you only pay for what you choose.
- Time To Say Goodbye (£1,395, up to 20 people)
- Intimate Cremation Service (£1,895, up to 40 people)
- Halton Residents’ Funeral (for eligible families)
Working with Halton Borough Council
Houghtons provides the Halton Residents’ Funeral in partnership with Halton Borough Council, a separate attended option for eligible families.
We can explain how it compares with direct cremation, including eligibility, inclusions and additional costs
Halton Borough Council logo. The Halton Residents’ Funeral is provided by Houghtons in partnership with Halton Borough Council. Direct cremation is a separate Houghtons service.
Explore the Halton Residents’ Funeral
What families say about us
- “Houghtons were great throughout the process of my late husbands funeral, they came highly recommended and it’s easy to see why. Thanks houghtons.” Susan Molyneux, Google review, Widnes
- “Our Dad passed recently, we lost someone so special. We didn't have a clue who to have for funeral directors. We chose Houghtons so glad we did, the dignity, respect and care to detail were second to none.” June Eaton, Google review, Widnes
- “Service was lovely and faultless from start to finish, Christine made us feel at ease straight away. Thankyou houghtons” John Humphries, Google review, Widnes
Read more Widnes reviews on Google
Planning ahead
We also offer direct cremation as a pre-paid funeral plan, so your family has nothing to arrange when the time comes.
Frequently asked questions
Do you collect from Widnes and Runcorn?
Yes. Our Widnes team supports families across Halton, including Runcorn. We collect from hospitals, care homes and private homes during normal office hours, normally within 15 miles of our premises. For collection outside normal office hours, or from further away, please call us and we will tell you the cost before you decide.
Which crematorium can we choose?
You can choose Walton Lea Crematorium at £999 or Widnes Crematorium at £1,295. Both are all-inclusive prices for an unattended direct cremation, so the difference is the crematorium you choose. We will explain both so you can decide what feels right.
Can we visit?
Yes. We include one visit to our chapel of rest for the applicant or their representative, by appointment during normal office hours, at no charge. Your loved one is initially brought into our care at Elizabeth House, and viewing can be arranged at any of our four chapels of rest, by appointment. If you choose embalming (£245), out of hours chapel visits and a coffin frill are included. Otherwise a coffin frill for the visit is optional: £35 for one chosen to suit your loved one's clothes, or £15 to hire a white one.
What happens to the ashes?
We return or scatter the ashes, depending on your family's wishes, and tell you when you can collect the cremated remains from us.
Can we attend the cremation?
A direct cremation is unattended: it takes place without a service and without mourners at the crematorium. A gathering or memorial can be held separately, or you can choose an attended funeral instead.
- Time To Say Goodbye (£1,395, up to 20 people)
- Intimate Cremation Service (£1,895, up to 40 people)
- Halton Residents’ Funeral (for eligible families)
Ask about direct cremation
Our Halton team will explain your crematorium choices and every cost, with no pressure and no obligation. Speak to our Halton team 0151 345 6726