OXFORD crematorium has this month begun offering a new no-frills low cost funeral to meet the rising demand for cheaper services.

The service, which costs £1,895 and is provided by Simply Cremations, does not include a visit with a funeral director or a hearse or limousines.

Group Head of Marketing at Simplicity Cremations Mark Hull, said the new cremation services focussed on the 'essential elements' of a funeral, while still allowing people to choose when the funeral takes place rather than having to accept a time slot allocated by the provider.

Mr Hull added: “There is a rising consumer demand for lower cost funeral options.

"We believe our new fully attended funeral offers a level of value and choice not previously available on a national scale.

“We’ve focussed on the thing we believe many consumers will value most, attending the actual service.

"If you don’t have to pay to visit to a funeral director or for the expense of a hearse and limousines, you can significantly lower the cost."

Director of consumer group Your Funeral Choice, Alix Baldwin, said: “We welcome the launch of this new service. Given the financial challenges some families face when arranging a funeral, this increases choice by offering a flexible package at a competitive price point."