Cremation costs in Australia
With traditional funerals costing anything up to $15,000 – or potentially more – it's understandable that many are choosing cremations as a way to pay their respects to a loved one.
Cremations can be a much more affordable option than burials. Here's what you need to know about meeting the cost of final expenses.
How do cremations work in Australia?
There are 2 main types of cremation to understand. These are:
- A cremation package. This is where the cremation takes place as part of a funeral ceremony you've chosen. In NSW alone, there are around 380 providers of burial or cremation services.
- A direct cremation. Sometimes called a "no-service cremation", this is a basic cremation that doesn't include a funeral ceremony. No friends or family are present. Of course, a memorial service can be arranged by the deceased's loved ones at another time and place.
If you're looking into a full cremation service, it's a good idea to ask a provider to list out their full range of inclusions. In addition to the private cremation, this may include things such as transportation costs for the return of ashes to the family and any paperwork and registration.
How much does a cremation cost?
The main costs linked with a cremation include as follows:
| Cremation expense | Price (from) |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | $66 |
| Cremation certificate | $110 |
| Cremation permit | $110 |
| Cremation capsule | $300 |
| Cremation service (at crematorium) | $600 |
| Cremation service with chapel service | $1,200 |
Keep in mind: Cremation costs vary depending on your circumstances and preferences, your location and individual providers.
What is the cheapest form of cremation?
Finder research suggests a simple cremation capsule can start from around $300. But this is just one cost to consider.
Tip: If you're having a service alongside a cremation, you could save by holding a service on a weekday and keeping things simple. For example, by bringing flowers from the garden.
What is the cheapest burial or cremation?
At the time of writing, Just Cremate Me, who is based in Queensland, said it offered a 'direct cremation' service from $1,175. According to Bare Cremation, a Brisbane-based cremation service may cost $1,899.
How does this compare to a burial service? Finder's research has found a traditional burial service alone can cost around $5,070, and a funeral overall can cost around $15,000, according to MoneySmart.
Prices will vary by the cemetery and grave type. For a premium coffin, you can expect to pay as much as $10,000.
Cremation services in Australia
| Cremation service | Availability |
|---|---|
| Australian Direct Cremations | New South Wales |
| Bare Cremation | New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, ACT, South Australia and Tasmania. |
| Cost Less Cremations | Australia-wide |
| Just Cremate Me | Queensland |
| Value Cremations | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia |
| Fixed Price Cremations | Victoria |
Funeral insurance providers that will help cover cremation costs
To cover the cost of a cremation, you could opt for funeral insurance.
How does it work? With a payout from a funeral policy, you can fund the cost of a cremation. Each provider you can compare in the Finder table below will offer immediate cover of up to $15,000. This should be more than enough to meet any cremation costs.
Quick tip: Look for an insurer with a 'value promise'. This means they'll pay out the same amount you put in or more, assuming you've held your policy for at least 12 months. At the time of writing, these guarantees were offered by Medibank and Insuranceline.
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Support resources
If you need support meeting the costs of a funeral, visit the government's Moneysmart website.
If you need emotional support after a bereavement, you can speak to Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277.
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