Funeral Costs in Australia: What to Know When Planning a Funeral

Funeral costs in Australia have been increasing steadily over the last decade at a rate of nearly 12%. The cost of basic things like cremation and burial have nearly doubled since 2011, and now Australians are looking for more cost-effective ways to plan a funeral.

In addition to death itself, the cost of death causes significant stress for most families. According to Australian Seniors cost of death report, nearly 64% of respondents said it took six months or longer to recover from the financial hardship caused by planning a funeral.

To help make planning a funeral easier, we’ve put together a quick guide on the funeral costs involved and how to make funerals more cost-effective.

Funeral Costs in Australia

According to Moneysmart, the average cost of planning a private funeral in Australia is between $4,000 and $15,000. Factors that influence the cost include cremation vs burial, coffin or casket, funeral directors and more.

It’s important to note that the cost of what you spend on a funeral in no way reflects how much you loved or cared about the person who passed. However, there are cost-effective ways to plan a funeral that honours your loved ones.

Average Funeral Costs

There are common costs associated with planning a funeral in Australia. Below is a list of typical funeral expenses and their starting costs based on estimates given by funeral directors from across Australia.

• Funeral Director ($3,000)
• Transfer and storage of the deceased to the funeral home ($450)
• Embalming ($600-$1400)
• Coffins ($800-$8000+)
• Graveside burial service ($2,000)
• Cremation service ($600)
• Celebrant, family car and flowers ($1000)

How to Reduce Funeral Costs

Above is a range of services and extras that can quickly add to funerals, but there are ways to cut the cost. Here are a few things to help reduce the costs of a funeral for a loved one or when pre-planning your own.

• Choose cremation. Cremation services are far less expensive than planning a burial.
• Pre-pay for your funeral. Funeral bonds and funeral insurance are effective ways to reduce the financial burden on your loved ones when you pass away.
• Choose an environmentally friendly coffin. Coffins and caskets can quickly add to the cost of funerals. But now, some eco-coffins are a fraction of the cost.
• Focus on the sentiment, not the extras. Flowers, cars, notices, music, and more increase costs and might add unnecessary stress.
  

When you can’t afford a funeral

Fortunately, even if you can’t afford to pay for the funeral of a loved one, it doesn’t mean they have to go without one. States across Australia will help pay for a basic cremation and funeral that loved ones can attend to collect the ashes.

Wrap Up

Funerals in Australia are quickly changing with a shift towards celebration instead of mourning, colour instead of black and cremation instead of burial. All of which are great ways to cut funeral costs in Australia.

To make your funeral wishes known, start writing your Will online.