Cremation in Australia and how much does it cost?

While cremation may not be the traditional method for the final disposition of a body after death, it has become the preferred and most common practice among Australians.

According to a report published by The Australian Funeral Directors Association in 2021, 72 per cent of all funerals involved cremation and 27 per cent of all funeral services were conducted at the crematorium where the cremation took place.

There are numerous reasons why cremations have grown in popularity, including the increasing number of people preplanning their own funeral, the reduced carbon footprint, the flexibility it offers and the costs.

Cremations are less costly

In Australia, funeral costs vary from provider to provider and what state or territory you live in, as well as how simple or elaborate you’d like it to be.

Australian Seniors states, based on research, that a burial will be anywhere from $7,000 to $19,000, plus additional charges for extras and site fees. A cremation however, is cheaper, typically ranging between $3,000 and $7,000.

Most funeral directors in Australia offer packages, usually either a basic, standard, or premium offering for cremations. Inclusive among these is typically as follows:

• Arranging and conducting the funeral
• Transportation of the deceased into the care of the funeral director
• Storage of the body at the mortuary
• Preparation of the body for cremation
• A coffin
• Compulsory medical certificates or permits, including death certificate, cremation certificate, cremation permit
• Hearse transportation on the day of the funeral
• The funeral service
• Cremation

The funeral director will also work with families to decide whether your loved one’s ashes are to be kept somewhere special, such as a niche in at a cemetery or church, or an urn. Alternatively, you may simply wish to scatter the ashes with council permission at a location that meant something to the deceased.

What is a direct cremation?

In recent years, there has been an increase in people wanting direct cremations, where for economic or other reasons, families may opt for the body to be cremated without a service or official ceremony.

A direct cremation is usually performed quickly after the death, and the ashes are then returned to the family.

The price of direct cremations will vary between funeral providers, due to the cost of running their business, where the cremation takes place, and the way ashes are returned. On average, the cost of such services is around $4,000, according to Moneysmart.

Ways to pay for a funeral service

Whatever choice is made in relation to the type of funeral held, paying for it and the associated costs can often cause further stress on those responsible for organising the service.

In Australia, payment can be made in several ways and financial aid can be provided, typically through the following:

• Funeral insurance or bonds
• Prepaid funerals (which are securely invested as per government regulation)
• The deceased’s estate

What sort of financial support is available?

In addition, there are a number of initiatives to help those struggling with the cost for funerals.

In NSW, the State Government also provides financial support to help pay for the expenses of a funeral service. Veterans, widows, carers and pensioners, Indigenous Australians, and parents of a stillborn child are all eligible. Circumstances such as if the death occurred at work, or if the death was a result of a violent crime may be considered for financial aid.

The Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs offers a bereavement payment and assistance scheme. This scheme is a one-off, non-taxable payment designed to help individuals and families with the expenses that result after the death of a pensioner.

Other assistance

• A lump sum or short-term bereavement payment from Centrelink if eligible
• Programs by local rotary and RSL clubs that offer to contribute towards the costs if the deceased was a member