Many celebrities have chosen a pure cremation, also known as a direct cremation, although the reasons are as individual as the people themselves. 

From Albert Einstein's wish to avoid public adulation to Janis Joplin funding a posthumous party for her friends, a pure cremation allows every farewell to be unique and follow the wishes of the deceased without a formal ceremony or precession if it isn’t wanted. 

They also offer some interesting and inspiring examples for deciding what to include in a celebration of life for yourself or a loved one.  

Albert Einstein 

Credit: Einstein_1921_by_F_Schmutzer_-_restoration By Ferdinand Schmutzer/ Adam Cuerden - http://www.bhm.ch/de/news_04a.cfm?bid=4&jahr=2006 [dead link], archived copy (image), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34239518 
 

Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955, in Princeton, New Jersey, from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He had refused surgery that might have extended his life, stating, "It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share; it is time to go. I will do it elegantly." 

Einstein’s body was cremated in a small, private ceremony later that day in Trenton, New Jersey. 

After his death, his ashes were scattered at an undisclosed location, believed to be near the Delaware River, fulfilling his wish for a private and simple memorial. 

Without prior approval from Einstein or his family, Einstein's brain was removed for scientific study. This act was controversial and initially unauthorised. Permission was sought and received from Einstein's son, Hans Albert, under the condition that the findings would be used for scientific purposes. 

Einstein’s wishes showed that, despite him being a well-known and respected public figure, you can still have a quiet, reserved ceremony. 

John Lennon 

John Lennon By Tony Barnard, Los Angeles Times - https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/zz0002pv3r, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145598215 
 

John Lennon was tragically murdered on December 8, 1980, outside his residence at The Dakota apartment building in New York City. 

His body was cremated at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York, two days after his death. His ashes were given to his wife Yoko Ono, who chose not to hold a public funeral and scattered them in an undisclosed location. 

Instead of a traditional gravesite, Ono created the Strawberry Fields Memorial in Central Park, New York City, where fans gather to honour Lennon. 

Combining a very private ceremony with a very public method shows how a pure cremation can allow the flexibility of a celebration for friends and a small, personal occasion for family.  

If you’d like some inspiration for what to do with ashes, we have over 20 ideas for you to consider. 

Robin Williams 

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The comedian and actor's ashes were scattered in San Francisco Bay shortly after his passing on August 11, 2014. 

Robin Williams died by suicide at the age of 63. The examination also revealed that Williams was suffering from Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disease often associated with Parkinson’s disease. 

His ashes were scattered over San Francisco Bay near his home. The family maintained strict privacy regarding the funeral and other details of his death to avoid media intrusion. 

In public statements, they focused on celebrating his legacy, raising awareness about mental health and the challenges associated with neurological diseases like Lewy body dementia. 

This shows how using awareness of someone’s passing can be beneficial to the future, without impacting the family’s desire for privacy.  

Sigmund Freud 

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The father of psychoanalysis passed away on September 23, 1939, in London, England from complications related to oral cancer, a condition he had battled for over 16 years. 

Freud was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium in London on September 26, 1939. His ashes were placed in a Grecian-style urn that was a gift from Princess Marie Bonaparte, one of Freud's close friends and supporters. 

His ashes were placed in a columbarium alongside the ashes of his wife, Martha Bernays Freud, who died in 1951. 

Freud’s family and followers honoured his wishes for a simple farewell, avoiding grand displays or ceremonies. Today his legacy endures through the preservation of his work and the Freud Museum in London, established in his former home. 

Rather than spreading ashes, keeping them in a decorative urn is another option worth considering, giving a lasting memorial to visit.  

Janis Joplin 

Janis Joplin By Grossman Glotzer Management Corporation - eBay itemphoto frontphoto back, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19457241 

Janis Joplin, the legendary rock and blues singer, passed away on October 4, 1970, at the age of 27 in Los Angeles, California. 

Her body was cremated at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Mortuary in Los Angeles, California. Her ashes were divided and scattered along the California coastline, as per her wishes. 

$2,500 was set aside in the will for her friends to throw a party in her memory. Held at the Lion’s Share club in San Anselmo, California, the party was a casual celebration of her life, complete with music, drinks, and stories. 

Rather than spend a significant sum on a ceremony, Janis Joplin’s wishes show the scattering of the ashes needn’t form the main part of your farewell, and that setting some money aside for a party could be a great option. 

If you’d like inspiration for music to play at a celebration of life, we have a guide for you to read. 

George Harrison 

George Harrison By David Hume Kennerly - Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum - A2428-14A as displayed at Media Photo Kit - The White House Years Page 1 of 3 (Photos 1-17 of 45), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1300068 
 

George Harrison of The Beatles passed away on November 29, 2001, at the age of 58. Following Hindu tradition, his ashes were scattered in India. 

In accordance with his beliefs as a devotee of Hinduism, George Harrison’s body was cremated shortly after his death at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. 

His ashes were reportedly scattered in the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers in India, near the holy city of Varanasi. These rivers hold great spiritual significance in Hinduism, symbolising purification and liberation. 

Although his family held a small ceremony to spread his ashes, a memorial "Concert for George," was held on November 29, 2002, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Organised by his widow Olivia and close friend Eric Clapton, it featured performances by many of Harrison’s friends and collaborators, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Ravi Shankar. 

Harrison was deeply influenced by Indian culture and spirituality, particularly the teachings of the Hare Krishna movement. His wishes showed a combination of following religious traditions and holding a larger, non-religious gathering as a celebration of life.  

Prince

Prince_1981 By Allen Beaulieu; Distributed by Warner Bros. Records. - Worthpoint, archive, Hi-Res, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=133480049 

The musician and performer Prince passed away on April 21, 2016, at the age of 57 at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minnesota. 

His ashes are in a custom urn shaped like Paisley Park and housed at the same location. Two days after his death, a private memorial service was held there for close family and friends. 

The estate has been converted into a museum and memorial site, and although fans can visit to honour his legacy, the exact location of his ashes is kept private.

As someone who spent so much time and created so much iconic work at his home, it makes perfect sense for Prince’s ashes to be kept there. Similar to Sigmund Freud, Prince’s uniquely designed urn reflected his personality, as did his desire to remain at Paisley Park. 

If you'd like to read about another iconic musician who chose a pure cremation over a traditional burial, take a look at our article about David Bowie's unique wishes.

Karl Lagerfeld 

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Karl Lagerfeld, the legendary fashion designer and creative director of Chanel and Fendi, passed away in early 2019 following complications from prostate cancer. He was celebrated within the fashion industry for his innovation and ability to merge classic designs with modern flair. 

He opted for cremation, expressing a desire for simplicity and privacy in his farewell. True to his wishes, there was no grand ceremony; instead, his ashes were spread near those of his mother and partner, Jacques de Bascher. 

Although there were some very public memorials, including a celebration life with a career retrospective attended by over 2,500 people, the spreading of ashes was a very personal, family-led occasion.   

Joan Rivers

David Shankbone, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Comedian Joan Rivers was renowned for her long career across various forms of entertainment, having first taken the stage in the 1960s, and appeared on TV shortly after. She become recognised for a brand of comedy that covered taboo subjects, as well as being ground-breaking as a woman within the entertainment industry.  

Joan Rivers died in September 2014 after serious complications from minor throat surgery. Her cremation combined a memorial which reflected her Jewish heritage at the Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan with a large celebrity-filled event.       

Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, hosted a ceremony featuring performances by Hugh Jackman, the New York Gay Men’s Chorus and talk show host Howard Stern which was attended by around 1,500 people. 

Joan Rivers’ choice of cremation was perfect for mixing her private and public personas, giving her family the flexibility to have separate ceremonies.  

Heath Ledger 

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Australian actor Heath Ledger gained international acclaim for roles in films like Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight, the latter of which he won a posthumous Oscar for.  

He died in 2008, as a result of accidental death from abuse of prescription medication, at the age of 28.   

His family held memorials in both Los Angeles and Perth, Wester Australia. A small ceremony for the cremation was attended by close family, followed by a wake at Cottesloe Beach in Perth.  
Such tragic circumstances around someone’s death may mean decisions around a celebration of life could require multiple ceremonies, or at the very least time to consider what to do.  

Heath Ledger’s family held ceremonies to reflect his childhood and adult life, while giving those closest the chance to have a private ceremony to grieve. 

If you’d like to learn more about holding a celebration of life, please read our guide.

We also have all the information you’ll need about our funeral plans.