For most people, a simple, respectful, reflective funeral attended by family and friends is all they might hope for at the end of their life. A lavish, expensive affair would be inappropriate for someone who spent their life quietly being the best person they could be. And they would certainly not be comfortable if their send-off resulted in financial burden on their family. It is important to evaluate what inclusions are necessary when planning a funeral, for yourself or a loved one as not everything is needed or required and there are many new more relaxed and individual options on offer now.
Costs typically involve:
- funeral director fees
- transport
- coffin/ casket
- death certificate
- permits (for example, for a burial at sea or on private land)
- burial, cremation, natural options.
- cemetery plot
- Other expenses include a celebrant or clergy, flowers, printing, newspaper notices and the
- memorial or wake.
The financial burden of unexpected funeral expenses can often add another level of stress to what is typically an emotional time for those left to manage someone’s death. Funerals are highly personalised and are difficult to price, the costs depend on choices made regarding locations and types of services and disposal options. If none of these decisions have been made and communicated prior to death, families can be laboured with concerns they are making the right
choices for their loved one.
“How much do I spend on their funeral to show I loved them?”
Pre-paid funeral plans can be a cost effective way to minimise an expensive funeral. Arranging a funeral and making payment in advance will reign in added costs from hasty decisions made at an emotional time.
Life Insurance can cover the costs of a funeral when a person dies. There are several types of cover available; Whole Life insurance is life-long and should be paid out at death rather than termed policies with an end date.
Accessing Superannuation is an option provided by most organisations to allow partial use of funds to pay funeral costs. Contact the organisation to ask if this is available to access.
Government Bereavement Payments If you receive a Department of Veterans Affairs or other benefits from Centrelink, your family may be eligible for bereavement assistance following your death. There are a few charity organisations that help with financial support to bury a loved one such as Bereavement Assistance Home – Bereavement Assistance Limited.
Assistance is available to parents of stillborn or death of a baby to cover funeral costs – www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/stillborn-baby-payment Tears Foundation https://thetearsfoundation.org/
Funeral companies now must offer a low cost/simple alternative for their services as an option for people on low incomes or wanting value for money. A low cost option may include an unattended cremation where there is no funeral service at all and the person’s ashes are returned to the family following cremation. Funerals costs increase with the addition of services at a venue including a celebrant, burial at the graveside, plaques and headstones, printing etc.
Examples of funeral costs;
Approximate amounts that vary widely between companies. Additional options may be added extras to some funeral costs or included in a package. Beware of being “offered” an additional inclusion you may be charged for later. Read the fine print and ask lots of questions!
- Coffins/ caskets – Cardboard $300 – Top end >$10,000
- Burial Plot – $1,600 – $15,000 (Premium $35,000 -$45,000 Melbourne/Sydney) (check out plots for sale on Gumtree!)
- Vaults / Mausoleum – >$100,000
- Gravestones/ memorials – $2,500 – >$4,500
- Direct cremation – $450 – With service $2,000 – >$10,000
- Mortuary care – $450 + dressing/prep – $300
- Embalming – $1,800 (required for mausoleum or repatriation)
- Funeral Director led service – $4,500 (approx.) Venue hire >$2,000 Celebrant – $800
- Transport – car transport for coffin $460, cars for service for family members – $440 (4hrs), mileage may be additional.
- Fees – Death Certificate $75, Grave set up – $440, Transfer & holding fee – $460, Admin – $500, Burial fees – $1,000 – $4,000, cremation permit & certificate – $300
- Additional staff -$200 each. After hours/weekend – $200 (Saturday/Sunday funeral $1300 surcharge)
- Viewing – $250 – $900, venue cleaning fee- $120
- Newspaper announcement – $200+, Stationery -$60 – $2,000
- Flowers – $100 – >$1,000 etc, etc.