Cinven among PE firms circling funeral provider Pure Cremation

(Sharecast News) - Pure Cremation has been valued at up to £700m in a potential acquisition, with private equity group Cinven among the names rumoured to be interested in the UK funeral provider. According to Sky News, Cinven is among the PE firms that are working on approaches for the company, with bids expected to be tabled this week.

Investment banking group Houlihan Lokey is running the sale process for current owner Epiris, with the disposal expected to fetch a value between £500m and £700m.

Andover-headquartered Pure Cremation is the biggest provider of funeral plans in the UK, founded in 2015 but sold to Epiris in 2023.

Suitors are circling the company following the substantial growth in the market for non-religious direct cremations - a lower-cost unattended alternative to traditional funeral services.