Losing a family member is never an easy time, but you can make it so much easier for those left behind by following our late Queen’s example. Make your own funeral choices now, and consider your payment options! Obviously there won’t be the same pomp and ceremony involved but the principles are the same. Mourners can focus on remembering you and celebrating your life without the added stresses of trying to organise your funeral, and find the money to pay for it.
In this post, we consider how much funerals cost (and where the money goes), and look at your available funeral options. We also discuss payment methods for funerals in a follow-up post so stay tuned for that one.
Funeral Costs And Planning: How Much Does A Funeral Cost In Australia?
According to the latest Australian Seniors Cost of Death report, a BASIC (metropolitan?) burial funeral can cost up to $18,652, and a basic cremation funeral up to $5,953. This information aligns with the government’s MoneySmart website, which indicates funeral costs typically range from $4,000 (basic cremation) to over $15,000 (traditional burial).
The report also highlights that the average burial cost nationwide, taking into account both urban and rural prices, is currently $11,039, and the average cremation cost $8,045. However, it is important to note that:
- a) These averages are based on data from both city and rural funeral service providers; and
- b) Country funerals are generally cheaper than city ones so their inclusion brings down the overall average.
Thus, they may not accurately reflect the true expenses associated with a city funeral.
In fact, the cost of a city funeral service is often significantly higher than the average depending on a range of factors.
The Factors That Affect Funeral Costs
Funeral costs vary greatly depending on:
- The location – as noted, a country funeral costs less than a city one, sometimes considerably less.
- The type of ceremony or service – cremations are cheaper than burials.
- The chosen funeral home – each establishment has its own packages and pricing structures.
- The number of processes and elements included – ‘optional extras’ and elaborate procedures can be expensive.
What Are The Cost Breakdowns Of A Funeral?
Your funeral costs cover many things but essentially, the more elaborate the service, the more processes are included, so the more it will cost.
Funeral Cost Breakdown:
The following funeral costs are as per Finder. They represent an average of costs from funeral service providers across Australia. Always get your own quotes, and compare them.
Funeral Director |
· Organisational services | $3,000 | |||
| It isn’t mandatory to use a funeral director in Australia. However, they do make the entire funeral process easier and more streamlined as they typically handle everything from the mandatory reporting requirements right through to the final burial or cremation arrangements. Understandably, this expertise comes at a cost, but many offer payment plans. However, do you really want your family paying off funeral debts for years? | |||||
Mortuary services |
· Transfer to funeral home
· Storage at funeral home · Preparation · Embalming if required |
$300
$150 $200 – $600 $600 – $1,400 |
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| Includes transport to the funeral home from the hospital, hospice etc; storage until your funeral; and preparation of your body for burial. In certain circumstances, your body will also need embalming. | |||||
Coffin / Casket / Capsule / Urn
|
· Coffin / Casket
· Cremation capsule · Urn |
$800 – $8,000
$300 $100 |
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| The more elaborate your coffin (traditional 6-sided tapered box with a wider section for the shoulders), casket (rectangular box), or capsule (container designed for cremation) is, the more expensive it is. Coffins, caskets, and capsules can be made from a range of materials – cardboard, timber, plastic, resin, metal – so choose an affordable option. If you are being cremated, the capsule (or coffin etc) must be combustible. | |||||
Certificates |
· Death certificate
· Cremation certificate · Cremation permit |
$66
$110 $110 |
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| A death certificate is a legal requirement. Issued by Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in each state, it formalises your death ‘for the records’.
If you are being cremated, you’ll require a Cremation Permit (issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages in some states, including WA, or by a medical practitioner who did NOT sign the death certificate in other states). After cremation, your family will be issued with a Certificate of Cremation to verify it took place. |
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Permits |
· Burial at sea
· Burial on private land |
$1675
Varies according to the local council |
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| Some types of burials – burial at sea or on private land – require a permit. | |||||
Burial plot and associated services |
· Grave plot + interment, maintenance, monument, grave liner or vault if required by the cemetery, extra depth hole
· Urn plot |
$9,000
$2,500 |
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| The cost of your burial plot will vary depending on the cemetery and the location of the grave within the cemetery: plots in popular cemeteries can cost upwards of $50,000! In some states, permanent tenure is also not guaranteed unless you pay extra for it.
A plot for an urn usually costs far less than a traditional grave plot. However, it is not a legal requirement to bury ashes so if you do choose cremation you will have more affordable (free) options for your ashes. |
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Burial and cremation services |
· Burial services (graveside service)
· Basic cremation (at crematorium) · Cremation with chapel service |
$2,000
$600 $1,200 |
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| The type of burial or cremation service you choose also impacts your funeral costs. Burial (grave) services are more expensive than crematorium services. | |||||
Venue hire |
· Catering
· Venue hire |
$20 – $30 per head
$100 per hour |
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| This includes the chapel or crematorium hire for the service, funeral reception facility etc | |||||
| Optional extras: | · Celebrant
· Family car · Flowers · Newspaper notice · Order of Service · Slideshow · Live streaming webcast |
$300
$400 $200 $200 $250 $200 $650 |
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| Flowers at a funeral are always nice but they are an optional extra. If you want them, you may find it cheaper to arrange them privately. Obituary – again, an optional extra that will contribute to the overall cost.
Various other optional services There are many other items you can add to your funeral – videoing for posterity; live web cast for friends and family who can’t make the ceremony; memorial service; wake … Whilst these are nice to consider, they do add to the overall cost of the funeral so should only be considered if finances permit. |
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What Are Your Funeral Options In Australia?
Which funeral options you or your family choose will ultimately come down to budget, religious faith, and personal desires.
Funeral types in Australia range from a no-nonsense budget-priced direct cremation or burial, to expensive traditional or religious ceremonies with all the bells and whistles. You can also opt for a green funeral, a DIY funeral, or customise a traditional funeral to help cut costs.
Common funeral choices are:
| Funeral Option | Description |
| Burial Only Service
(economical) |
Burial only without the additional components of a traditional funeral. Options include:
· Direct (no service) burial, where the deceased is interred without a formal ceremony, or · Graveside service, a short ceremony held at the cemetery attended only by close family and friends. These options are far more cost-effective than traditional funerals as there are fewer inclusions. |
| Celebration Of Life | An informal and secular alternative (or addition) to a memorial or service, intended to focus on the person and celebrate their life and achievements. |
| Cremation
(very economical) |
Cheaper than burials and can be direct, or include a chapel service.
· Direct (no service) cremation where the deceased is taken directly to the designated crematorium upon medical release. Ashes are returned to the family and a separate memorial service, Celebration of Life, or interment is often held. · With chapel service – includes a chapel or memorial service at the crematorium. Costs more due to funeral home services, transport, funeral director fees, celebrant, venue hire, etc. |
| Cultural/Religious Funeral
(expensive) |
Adheres to the cultural and religious customs of the deceased. Services may include specific rituals, prayers, and readings associated with the person’s faith or cultural background (e.g., Islamic, Muslim, Hindu funerals). |
| DIY Funeral
(can be very economical) |
Increasingly popular option where families may hire a funeral director to handle specific aspects such as dealing with the obligatory paperwork and arranging a direct cremation or burial, but organise the rest themselves. |
| Eco/Green Funeral | Increasing in popularity. Prioritises eco-friendly options such as:
· Biodegradable casket/urn; · Natural burial, · Energy-efficient, eco-friendly cremation method, · Energy-efficient funeral vehicles, · Carbon offsetting options like tree planting etc. |
| Home Funeral | An option for families to be involved in caring for the deceased at home before the service. The level of involvement varies depending how comfortable they are with the process. It’s advisable to consult with a professional due to the sensitivity of handling a deceased person. |
| Memorial Service | A service to remember and honour a person’s life after interment or cremation and often chosen in place of a formal ceremony. Combines elements of a funeral service with a more informal and secular focus. |
| Traditional Funeral
(can be very expensive) |
A full-service funeral that includes a wake/visitation, service, committal/burial or cremation, and funeral reception. While comprehensive, these funerals can be costly. Certain elements can be pared down or omitted altogether, reducing overall costs. |
What Are Some Affordable Funeral Options?
A cost-effective or budget funeral doesn’t mean people will respect or miss you less! Indeed, an increasing number of us are opting for budget rather than fancy because, let’s face it, spending money on life, and living, is far better value!
Some suggestions for affordable funeral options include:
- Choose an off-peak time – weekend funerals are often more expensive than weekday ones.
- Have a cheaper casket or coffin, particularly if you opt for a direct cremation or burial,
- Choose cremation rather than burial,
- Opt for a direct (no-service) cremation or burial,
- Choose free disposal options for your ashes – scattering, home memorial etc. There are currently no laws controlling what you do with your ashes other than abiding by the Clean Air Act if scattering them or the Sea Dumping Act if you scatter them at sea.
- Consider a DIY funeral – use a funeral director only to arrange a direct cremation or burial plus lodgement of the documents, and you do the rest.
- Tailor your plan – reduce the optional extras (use a private car instead of a hire car for the family, arrange your own flowers / videoing etc, keep newspaper notices to a minimum, don’t have a wake, hold a private memorial service and funeral reception.)
Why Understanding Your Funeral Options Is Important
Understanding your funeral options is the best way to ensure your final farewell aligns with your preferences, budget, and values. From the costs associated with burial and cremation to the diverse range of funeral types and services available, knowing what funeral choices you have will help you, and your family make the right decisions in a difficult time. Remember, thoughtful planning not only honours your wishes but also eases the burden on your loved ones during a period of grief.
Finally, stay tuned for our article on the various payment methods for funerals, either for yourself in planning your funeral, or for your family.
