Planning a funeral can be tough. But whether you're preparing your own service or arranging one for a relative, knowing the costs involved is an important first step.
This guide will walk you through the typical costs associated with a funeral in Australia and will offer advice on where you might be able to get some financial help.
According to the government's Moneysmart website, private funerals typically cost somewhere in the region of up to $15,000 for an elaborate burial and $4,000 for a basic cremation.
If you can't afford to pay a funeral and the deceased person doesn't have enough money in their estate, the government will pay for a very basic funeral, which you'll still be able to attend.
Remember, the amount of money you spend on a person's funeral is in no way related to how much you love them or how much you'll miss them. Whether you spend $20,000 on a service or the state arranges the funeral, your loved one will still get a respectful send-off.
Common costs associated with funerals include:
| Funeral Expense | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Funeral director fee | $3,000 |
| Transfer of deceased to funeral home | $300 |
| Storage of deceased at funeral home | $150 |
| Preparation of deceased | $200-$600 |
| Embalming | $600-$1,400 |
| Coffins | $800-$8,000 |
| Death certificate | $66 |
| Cremation certificate | $110 |
| Cremation permit | $110 |
| Burial services (graveside service) | $2,000 |
| Cremation service (at crematorium) | $600 |
| Cremation service with chapel service | $1,200 |
| Celebrant | $300 |
| Family car | $400 |
| Flowers | $200 |
| Newspaper notice | $200 |
*These prices are based on estimates given by funeral directors from across Australia and may vary due to a number of factors. We have tried to show the general starting price for these services based on our research.
First things first: there is nothing wrong with a cheap funeral. It's important to remember that the cost of a service has no relationship with how much a person was loved or will be missed. In fact, heaps of Aussies don't want an expensive send-off.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to reduce costs while still having a respectful send-off.
Lots of Aussies, particularly seniors, take out funeral insurance so their families can focus on arranging a fitting farewell, rather than worrying about the cost of a service.
You pay a monthly fee and in exchange, your family receives a lump sum when you die, to cover the cost of your funeral. It typically suits people who struggle to save independently or can't find an affordable life insurance policy.
Remember, if you have a funeral insurance policy for a long time, you might end up spending more on premiums than you would have on a funeral. Thankfully, lots of insurers have a value promise, which means they'll pay out the same amount you put in or more, as long as you have your policy for at least 12 months.
You pay the same price as buying directly from the life insurer.
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We've done 100+ hours of policy research to help you understand what you're comparing.
If you want to be able to cover the cost of your own funeral, there are lots of ways to do it:
If you or your family can't afford a funeral, don't worry, you won't have to go into debt just to pay for a respectful service. Usually, the state will pay for a basic cremation and funeral. Your loved ones will still be able to attend and collect the ashes.
Maybe. There are lots of different ways Australians can access financial help in order to pay for a funeral – some might apply to your situation, while others won't:
Cremations can be a much more affordable option than burials.
Get tips to find the best funeral cover and apply with the help of a consultant today.
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