Whether it’s for a loved one or you’re making your own final arrangements, planning a funeral can be difficult. Not only is it a time that carries a huge emotional burden, but it can also be financially draining.
Thinking ahead to your own funeral and preparing now could help ease the strain on your loved ones at an already difficult time.
With help from our Funeral Report, we’ll go through some of the costs you’ll need to know about so you can plan ahead with confidence.
The cost figures mentioned in this article are averages based on our Funeral Report and are intended as a general guide to help you plan.
What are the average funeral costs in Australia?
According to our Golden Insurance Funeral Report, the average cost of funerals that respondents helped to arrange in the past 5 years was $8,202. If you’re looking at a more basic service, it’ll set you back around $4,201.
When planning funeral services, costs can add up quickly. With all potential elements added, a burial could reach $23,000 and a cremation could cost $15,000.
With 44% of respondents saying they had no idea how much a funeral could cost, it’s important to know ahead of time what you could be expected to pay for your chosen service.
What influences funeral costs in Australia?
There are a few things that can have a big impact on what you’ll pay for a funeral in Australia.
Some of these include:
- Location: Costs can differ significantly between areas with urban areas typically having higher prices than rural areas.
- Type of service: A burial is usually significantly more expensive than a cremation. Our report found that a burial plot can average $2,868 and a headstone can average $2,126.
- Personal choices: All the little personal touches you may want to include can add up before you know it. Our report found that the average cost of a coffin was $2,281, while flowers added an average of $640, depending on personal choice and location.
Types of funerals
There isn’t one single approach to planning a funeral, as each person is unique with different wants and needs.
There are many ways you can say goodbye to a loved one, no matter your budget or preferences.
Traditional funerals
What’s considered ‘traditional’ can vary from person to person. To keep things simple for this article, we’ll define traditional as a formal service held at a church or a funeral home that ends with a burial.
Many of us may be familiar with this kind of service but it can be one of the more expensive options, depending on what extras you choose, your location, and your funeral service provider.
Cremation
A cremation is generally more cost-effective than a burial for a few reasons:
- No burial costs: With a cremation, there’s no need for a burial plot, headstone, or grave maintenance fees.
- Reduced casket costs: The coffin or casket you choose for cremation is often less expensive than those used for burial.
Like with a traditional service, a cremation can vary in final costs depending on location and personal preferences.
Eco-friendly funerals
This kind of funeral prioritises sustainability and aims to minimise the environmental impact of the funeral process.
Here’s why it can also result in a less costly burial:
- Caskets and materials: Eco-friendly funerals use sustainable materials for caskets like cardboard which are greener options that will also save money.
- Embalming and preparation: Standard embalming can cost on average $938. Minimal or no embalming reduces costs while also being kinder to the environment.
While these more natural services can cut costs, the final amount will depend on what extras you may choose as well as the availability of eco-friendly funerals in your area.
Direct cremation
A typical cremation includes a service and embalming while a direct cremation skips these elements to create a simpler, more budget-friendly alternative.
The cost-saving differences are:
- No formal service: Without things like transportation and ceremonial costs for a cremation service, the final cost can be brought down significantly.
- Casket choice: A simple, basic casket for cremation is generally more affordable than coffins or caskets used for burials.
- Embalming: This is omitted to reduce total costs as well as to streamline the entire process.
This is a great cost-saving option, but it’s important to note that not all funeral homes will offer this service.
Also, as with all funeral options, the final costs depend largely on any extras you choose to include as well as your location.
How do individual choices impact the cost of a funeral?
Every funeral has a lot of moving parts, and the little details can make a big difference in how someone’s life is celebrated.
We’ll take you through some of the elements that make up a funeral service so you can get a better understanding of the cost of planning the funeral you want.
Funeral director’s fees
Funeral director’s fees can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of the funeral as funeral directors are central to the planning and coordinating of the entire funeral service.
These fees cover important responsibilities like:
- Administration: Funeral directors handle the paperwork, legal documents, and logistics to make sure the service runs smoothly.
- Embalming and preparation: Preparing the body for a burial or cremation is usually handled by a funeral director, who ensure it is done with care and respect.
- Transportation: Arranging transportation is another key responsibility of a funeral director. They coordinate the hearse and any other transportation needs.
According to the Golden Insurance Funeral Report, funeral director fees can be $1,818 on average. While this can seem expensive, a funeral director provides invaluable support in organising a funeral and taking that extra burden off the family at an already difficult time.
Caskets
Aside from the funeral director’s fees, the coffin or casket you choose can be a big expense in planning a funeral.
Here are some things that can influence cost:
- Material and design: Caskets can be made from wood, metal, or other materials. The kind of materials you choose, along with any intricate designs, can drive up costs. Respondents to our report paid an average of $2,281 for their chosen coffin or casket.
- Interior features: Details like the casket lining, padding, and any decorative elements can also add to the final cost.
With so many options and materials to choose from, there are casket options for any budget from basic to high-end.
Transportation
The body of the deceased may need to be brought to the funeral home, and then to a burial site or crematorium. Depending on your choices, there may also be a need for transportation for loved ones or other attendees on the day of the ceremony.
According to the Golden Insurance Funeral Report, the average cost of a hearse is $745, with limousines or other vehicles averaging around $736.
This can add to the cost depending on the type of transportation you choose, and who provides this service (for example, a Funeral Director).
Venue
The venue you choose for the ceremony can have a large impact on the cost, with renting the funeral home adding an average of $1,463 to the costs.
It’s common for families to host a gathering before or after the burial which can add additional venue costs. If you decide to include catering, you could be looking at an extra $1,512 on average.
Burial vs. Cremation
As outlined above, there can be a huge difference in costs between a traditional burial and a cremation, but there are other differences to consider too.
| Burials | Cremations | |
| Cost | Typically more expensive due to casket, cemetery plot, and headstone costs. | Generally more cost-effective as it doesn't involve purchasing a burial plot. |
| Timing | Depending on the type of burial, this requires timely arrangements and immediate decisions. | Allows for more time to plan memorial services, making it a more flexible choice. |
| Accessibility | Provides a specific location for loved ones to visit and pay respects. | May not offer a dedicated physical presence for remembrance. |
| Environmental Impact | May require land use and resources for cemeteries, potentially impacting the environment. | Considered more environmentally friendly as it doesn't consume land or resources in the same way. |
It's important to note that the decision between burials and cremations is highly personal and influenced by the individual, their culture or religion, and budget.
Administrative costs
In the emotionally turbulent time of funeral planning, the cost of documentation and legal procedures can often be overlooked or forgotten. These costs can include fees for death certificates, burial permits, and important paperwork.
Unlike the more tangible aspects of a funeral, such as the casket or venue, legal and documentation costs are typically handled behind the scenes by funeral directors or other professionals.
When planning, families may focus on the emotional or more visible aspects of the funeral, often underestimating the impact of these other essential expenses.
For example, average death notices costs are $483 with doctors’ fees averaging an extra $63, according to our funeral report.
These costs are necessary and can add up, so it's important to be aware of them when the time comes to begin planning.
Paying for a funeral
In Australia, some government and private programs offer financial assistance for funerals, particularly for those in need. Eligibility criteria and application processes vary, so it's a good idea to research these options ahead of time.
Only 11% of respondents to our report stated that they felt financially prepared for their own or loved one’s funeral.
If you’re planning ahead and thinking about the expenses your family may face, a life insurance policy could help. Golden Life Insurance offers a payout that can support your loved ones with funeral costs, easing the financial burden, and allowing them to focus on celebrating your life.