When it comes to organising a funeral, many Australians believe they need to go big to pay respects to the life of their loved one. Unfortunately, an elaborate funeral comes with a hefty price tag. But you do not need to send yourself into debt to pay respect to your loved one.
There are many ways to host a meaningful and tasteful funeral which are not as expensive. To help you get started, we at Whitsunday Funerals and Crematorium have collated these insights, so you are better informed when the time comes for you to organise a funeral.
How much does a funeral cost in Australia?
Australian funeral costs have increased, on average, by 6% annually since 2014. In 2019, the prices of a burial funeral in Australia fluctuated from $6,000 to close to $20,000 (in New South Wales). The cost of cremations also deviated between $3,600 and $10,000 depending on location.
Why the Price Variation?
Unfortunately, it comes down to the geographical region. Metro regions often have the highest burial fees and sometimes the highest cremation fees in Australia. The reason is weirdly economical, with the rising cost of living in congested cities forcing the funeral preparation costs higher (rather than lower as is common with retail competition). The hike in the cost of burials is also influenced by the reduced number of available plots and local Government fees.
Burial plot prices start from approximately $1,500. The most in-demand plot can cost as much as $20,000 in certain capital cities. Sometimes these costs can be avoided altogether if you were to opt to have your loved one buried at home. However, this option is only available to those who have a large property. Also, Local Council approval needs to be obtained.
So, if you are considering burial, it may be worth comparing the costs of your surrounding regions to find one better suited to your price range. Also, considering a burial in a township which may have had meaning to your loved one, could save you thousands. However, you will need to consider transportation costs.
Omitting the Funeral Director
When someone dies, one of your first questions is likely to be ‘what do I do now?’. Often, the most natural solution is to call a funeral director to handle all the funeral arrangements and the lodgement of the requisite forms. However, outside of a few steps, it is possible to arrange a funeral yourself.
Everything from purchasing the casket and flowers to arranging the burial can be done online and in consultation with your local Council. It is time-consuming and can sometimes be confusing. However, it is certainly possible and can potentially save you thousands of dollars.
Preplan and Prepay for Your Funeral
When it comes to planning a funeral for a loved one, doubt can take root and make decision-making hard. You can alleviate these troubles and reduce the stress of payment by preplanning your funeral.
By preplanning your funeral, you can document everything you want from the flowers to the casket. And, in doing so, you will be locking in today’s prices; removing the potential for inflated costs in years to come.
Many funeral homes, including us at Whitsunday Funerals and Crematorium, have partnered with third-party finance provider, Sureplan. This organisation offers funeral bonds which essentially act like a savings account; you pay money into your account, which will only be paid-out when needed for your funeral.
It’s not as simple as 'Apples for Apples'
Like with any major purchase, you can’t just compare what you are buying and go with the cheapest option. You want to ensure you are getting the best value for money.
And, sadly, the funeral industry is unregulated. This allows some unscrupulous companies the freedom to take advantage of your vulnerability by overcharging for certain services. We find these sorts of practices to be unethical and have committed to 100% transparency for your peace of mind. This is why we have included our costs on our website, so you know, upfront, what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.
And when dealing with Whitsunday Funerals and Crematorium, we will take the time to provide you with the quality service you and your loved one deserve. We will ensure that you understand what is happening every step of the way and talk you through each price option, so you can make an informed decision.
To help keep the costs of your funeral down, we have also prepared this list of useful tips. For more insights, or to discuss other ways to help save costs on your funeral, please contact us.