Cremation costs in Australia

What you need to know when planning your loved one’s cremation

The death of a loved one can cause significant emotional and financial stress for the family left behind.

The Australian Seniors Cost of Death Report revealed that a premium burial in Australia could be anywhere between $13,000 to $19,000 depending on your location. And, let’s face it, not many families have this readily available to spend.

For this reason, cremation has grown in popularity over recent years as it provides family members with a more affordable option for end-of-life while still being able to have the traditional funeral service if desired.

Understanding the costs of cremation

While almost all Funeral Directors will offer cremation services, there can be significant differences between offerings. There usually are three distinct options you can choose, unattended (with or without a viewing), single service (funeral service with unattended cremation) or dual service (funeral service and then a Crematoria service for a final farewell).

The average cost of cremation in Australia for an unattended cremation (no service or mourners in attendance) is usually less than $3,000. However, this can increase slightly if you want to organise a viewing before the cremation. As a comparison, Browne Brothers Funerals provide an unattended cremation with viewing for less than $3,000 and an unattended cremation without viewing for less than $2,000.

The cost for a single service and dual service cremation can vary greatly depending on the funeral home, casket chosen and inclusions. Cremation costs in 2021 for these services can be upwards of $6,000. As a comparison, Browne Brothers Funerals are between $4,000-$5,500, depending on the type of service you select.

It’s important to note that there are other costs with planning a funeral and cremation that won’t be covered in your package, and it’s important to be aware of these for your planning. Services considered standard in any cremation package include a basic coffin or casket, transfers into the funeral directors care and any paperwork required, including the death certificate.

However, floral tributes, viewings (or additional viewings), the funeral or death notice, chapel, church or venue fees, refreshments, transportation (if out of the metro area), cremation fees, and the coffin or casket and urn can all be additional costs that you need to budget for. Your funeral director will define what is and isn’t included and provide a guide on prices.

How to minimise cremation costs in Australia

While there is never a right time for a loved one to leave us, sometimes their passing can occur during a period of financial hardship. This is amplified further when the main income earner passes away, resulting in further financial stress for the family.

It’s important to remember that trying to minimise funeral and cremation costs isn’t belittling the relationship you had with your loved one, nor does it impact how highly valued they were to you. Extravagant services aren’t needed to say meaningful goodbyes; looking after those left behind is of the utmost importance.

If you have found yourself in this situation, please talk to us about how we can help you say your goodbyes in a way that won’t put an undue burden on you. Here are just a couple of ideas to minimise your funeral and cremation costs:

• Use a dignity casket. Our innovative display casket can save you thousands on the cost of a coffin and reduce the environmental impact at the same time.
• Determine whether you want a traditional funeral service to celebrate the life of your loved one, or whether a smaller memorial service or another form of life celebration (like going to a place they loved or doing an activity they enjoyed) would be a more fitting goodbye.

Now knowing cremation costs in Australia, you might like to save your family the stress of funding your end-of-life services. If this is the case, you can organise a pre-paid funeral. This locks your funeral price in, and your family won’t have to make any decisions. Instead, they have peace of mind knowing your wishes have been taken care of and paid for.