Funerals, cremations and memorials.

Funding funeral expenses may end up being the most expensive service you will ever purchase so proceed with caution.

If you do not have the money,  do not organise the funeral.

The person who organises the funeral will be responsible for the costs.

If there is a will and an executor has been appointed then it is their responsibility to arrange payment.

First things first.

Funeral directors are business men and women. They are therefore motivated to make a profit from their business dealings. Consumer groups have found that the cost of a funeral can fluctuate widely so you may find that the price of the funeral can be negotiated. The costs may be reduced by using materials of basic quality and reducing the level of services that may have been provided.

An Australian CHOICE review in February 2010 suggested that  you try to have a clear idea of the type of funeral you want and your budget before you contact a funeral director.

The review found that the cost of a basic funeral / cremation varied between $2,500.00 and $6,500.00. It is not clear  from the report where these funeral directors who agreed to quote on a basic funeral were located. It is not unrealistic to expect that in some country towns where there is less competition for services that more variation in price would occur.

A funeral will generally include the following:

A coffin or casket

Professional fees

Disbursements

Ceremony

Cremation

Burial