Funeral pricing is often opaque. Data indicates that Australian families often pay in the range of $2,300-$3,000 for a basic cremation, and around $11,000 for a traditional funeral, with hidden costs and extra charges often pushing the prices up.
We think that working out the price of a funeral in Australia is more difficult than it should be. In fact, at Tomorrow Funerals, we believe in complete transparency and ensuring our pricing is clear. Today we will discuss how much a funeral costs in Australia and important things to consider.
One of the issues in understanding what can be a complex process is a cultural one. Because we don’t talk about death or plan for it, we usually don’t research options until we are in the vulnerable position of planning a funeral for someone we love.
This is why we have created our single, flat fee of $7,200, which gives our clients everything they need, to create a very personal ‘memorial style’ funeral. All at one easy-to-understand price.
Some of our clients do not spend much more than this $6.8k. The main additions being printing of ceremony documents (which might cost approximately $50 – $250) Catering costs & venue hire, start at approximately $500 for a basic pub or sports club service. Other clients spend upwards of $5,000 on catering and venue if they are after a premium event.
Average funeral costs in Australia at a glance
Here is a non-exhaustive framework to understand funeral pricing in Australia:
| Type of funeral | Typical cost (AU) | What’s included |
| Unattended / direct cremation | $2,300 – $5,000 | Transportation, cremation, paperwork; no service |
| Single service cremation | $6,000 – $14,000 | Chapel service with coffin present, then cremation |
| Traditional funeral with burial | $11,000 – $30,000+ | Service, burial plot, coffin, hearse, extras |
| Cremation + memorial-style service | Flat fee $7,200 | Dignified cremation, then a personalized memorial at a venue you choose |
What are the most basic costs of a cremation?
At a bare minimum, an unattended cremation from a lower-cost provider will cost approximately $2.3-$3k if you shop around. (Or up to $5k at a more well known funeral home brand.)
This should include:
- Transportation of the body to the crematorium, (which is often conducted interstate to reduce costs for the funeral home)
- Cremation
- Death certificates and other documents
Note: at Tomorrow Funerals, using the highest quality service providers and with extras like a personal body wash, a dignified cremation within Victoria and hand-delivery of the ashes to the next of kin, we charge $3,600 for this service.
Read more about direct cremation.
Funeral costs in Melbourne
When it comes to the cost of funerals in Melbourne, prices can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $20k or even $30k, (or more.) But overall, the average cost of a funeral in Melbourne is around $11,000.
At a traditional funeral home, a ‘single service cremation’ is a standard funeral service, usually in a chapel style venue, with the coffin present and featuring some kind of ceremony. Afterwards, the coffin is taken from the site for cremation without another ‘service’ at the cemetery. These are the standard ‘off the shelf’ products.
A standard funeral without customization doesn’t need to be (and isn’t) overly expensive. A boutique, family-owned funeral home might offer this with the basic inclusions for approximately $6-8k. It’s possible this could even be purchased for under $5k, but be mindful that you will get what you pay for.
If you choose one of the more well-known corporate brands, that same offering could cost $9-14k.
However, it is very easy for a $7k funeral at a traditional funeral home to quickly blow out and cost you a great deal more than that. Remembering, someone purchasing a funeral is usually in a heightened state of emotion when organizing this. And also considering the fast turnaround time for a traditional funeral.
What makes a funeral more expensive?
The prices at a traditional funeral home go up from here depending on two key factors: logistical additions/amendments, and product upgrades.
By logistical additions, we mean anything that adjusts the ‘off-the-shelf’ flow of the standard offering. Some additional costs can be incurred if you request a viewing at the funeral home in the days prior to the service; if you want the immediate family to go and dress your loved one; a separate rosary service; an additional service at the cemetery after the main funeral service, or a funeral procession.
Product upgrades are elements that are included in the standard offering that you want to upgrade or add on. A standard basic coffin will be included in the off-the-shelf price, but if you want to upgrade your coffin then that can cost you anywhere from $1,000-$12,000 in itself.
To summarise, any changes to the basic package can quickly add up to significant extra cost.
Every cost element in a funeral, explained
There are many elements which make up the price of the funeral. It’s important to know what they are so you can decide which ones you wish to include, noting that there are a few rules. You do not have to include these extra elements, but it is always OK to ask your funeral provider for more information and the breakdown of the costs.
- Transportation of the body
- Required medical certificate by GP – unless a deceased person is going to the Coroner’s, a GP must assess and confirm the death
- Weekend extra costs for pick up (charged by some funeral business)
- Coffin/casket – Think carefully about what is important here
- Funeral parlor service fee – we advise you ask what this includes
- Funeral director fee – we advise you to ask what this includes
- Mortuary care – storing, washing, dressing, placement in coffin, as well as treating the body with chemicals to preserve it for a viewing are all different elements that may be included
- Viewing – a viewing of your loved one’s body is a personal decision that requires thought and preparation
- The cremation itself
- Celebrant/Priest fees
- Wake/Memorial: food/drinks/venue hire
- Hearse and staff required
- Printing of booklets, order of service, cards etc.
- Guest book
- Tribute video production – slide show of photos
- Streaming service of the ceremony
- Video production of ceremony
- Church/chapel fees
- Venue for memorial – read more about venues for a memorial-style funeral
- Flowers – read more about saving money on funeral flowers
- Music – Live music/organ player for example or other musicians
- Urn to place ashes
- Memorial Book
- Customer care consultation – some funeral parlors will offer grievance care
- Interring ashes
How Tomorrow keeps funeral pricing simple
Unlike a traditional funeral home, we pride ourselves on keeping the funeral elements simple. Our $7,200 flat fee includes everything you need for a dignified cremation, followed by a beautiful, personalized memorial event, all at one easy to understand price.
No upselling. No hidden extras. In fact, no salespeople at all. Put simply, we do not believe the grieving process should involve being sold to.
We’re passionate about providing the best care for your loved one and helping families find new and better ways to celebrate life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to have a funeral in Australia?
The single most affordable option is an unattended cremation. This will only incur a small fraction of the price of a traditional funeral, averaging around $2,500 whereas a traditional funeral sits around $11,000.
Is cremation less expensive than burial?
Yes. A cremation can cost anywhere from $1,000-$3,000, whereas even the cheapest burial package is no less than $7,000.
Does the government help with funeral costs?
In certain situations. If both members of a couple received an income support payment when one passes, they may be eligible to a bereavement payment through Services Australia. There is also federal support for veterans, and state government support for those considered ‘destitute’.
If you’re thinking about this kind of planning more broadly, you can read about how to pre-plan your funeral here.
We’re always here to help
Call us 24-hours / 7 days on 1300 690 137.
Our Journal contains our entire list of resources for creating personal memorials.
Or visit our funerals page for more information on our unique memorial style funeral offering.
