Losing a loved one can not only be a genuinely emotional affair but it comes with some financial responsibilities. This leaves many wondering just how much does a funeral cost in Australia?
One of the most common questions prospective clients in the Whitsunday area ask us is how much their funeral will cost. Unfortunately, there is not one answer to this as the cost of a funeral all depends on how simple or extravagant you want the event to be.
On average, the majority of funerals in Australia can cost anywhere between $4000 for a simple cremation and $15000 for an elaborate event with flowers, casket and a noteworthy burial to match. However, the median cost of a funeral in Australia is $19000. The average cost of a funeral in Brisbane is reported to be $7505.
On average, the majority of funerals in Australia can cost anywhere between $4000 for a simple cremation and $15000 for an elaborate event…
Funeral expenses generally cover several individual items including the price of a coffin, transportation of the deceased, obtaining a death certificate, burial/cremation costs and permits, funeral director fees and additional costs such as obituaries and flowers.
Most funeral services in Australia offer preselected packages which make it difficult to know how much money you are spending on each item and without providing the opportunity to leave out items that are not preferred. What’s worse, is that some funeral homes in the industry are renowned for charging exorbitant fees without any transparency as to what they are accounting for.
Given that most people making funeral arrangements and decisions are at a particularly vulnerable state and are not often in rational thinking mode, they can be taken advantage of when it comes to excessive funeral costs.
Transparency Is on Your Side
Whitsunday Funerals and Crematorium is the only funeral home in the area that is completely transparent with funeral fees. Our deeply ingrained local family values keep us committed to helping other local families in their time of need, without ripping them off.
We are the most cost-effective and cheapest funeral home and crematorium in North Queensland, Australia. We pride ourselves on our commitment to offering the cheapest and most transparent funeral home services in Bowen, Proserpine and Mackay. To maintain our credibility and ensure 100 per cent transparency, we advertise a cost breakdown of our funeral prices on our website and when you meet with us.
Saving on Funeral Costs
Funerals don’t have to leave you in financial trouble. Here are a few ways you can reduce the amount you have to pay for a funeral in Australia:
Make Your Coffin
There is no rule that you have to use a store bought coffin or casket for a funeral. With the rising costs of coffins which can cost between $300 and $10000, it can be quite cost effective to make your own or invest in other alternatives. We understand that not everyone has the skills, time or inclination to do this during an already emotional time, so we provide high quality coffins at a range of prices.
Think Again About Having a Funeral
Although there are several rules surrounding what you can do with the body of the deceased, there are no binding laws saying that you absolutely must hold a ceremony before interment.
Consider Asking for Help
There are a few government assistance programs that can help with funeral expenses if they become too much for you to handle. Particularly if you’re worried about what happens if you can’t afford a funeral.
Bypass the Cemetery
Don’t forget about the additional fees at the cemetery. Things like headstones and cemetery fees are additional costs that aren’t included in your funeral fees. A headstone or marker can cost anywhere from $750 to $12000. Again, you can opt for lower-cost versions of everything, depending on your preferences and budget.
And in Australia, cremations are increasingly becoming more popular, especially in urban areas, which can bypass some of those cemetery fees. To further demonstrate the point, the average cost for a traditional cremation and cemetery burial in Australia is $11920 whereas the average cost of cremation without burial is $7420.
If you’re worried about how your estate or family will cover the costs of your end of life services and how much does a funeral cost in Australia, then consider our prepaid funeral plans.