How much does a funeral cost?

Losing a loved one can be a deeply emotional time. And often, the thought of paying for the funeral adds an unwelcome layer of stress. But we can help you understand what’s involved to better prepare you when the time comes.

The price of your service depends on a few factors, including the type of service, whether you opt for cremation or burial, the venue and other inclusions, like flowers or catering after the service. See our pricing page.

What costs are involved in holding a funeral?

A funeral should be as unique as the person who’s passed. For a truly personalised farewell, we offer a range of options and extra inclusions. Here’s a guide to give you an idea of the costs involved in a funeral.

Coffin or casket

The key difference between the two is the shape – coffins are tapered at the head and feet, while caskets are rectangular. Both come in a range of designs, colours and materials and prices vary depending on the style you choose.

Professional fees

Your Funeral Specialist will be your dedicated support person from the first meeting through to the service and beyond. They’ll coordinate the service, arrange the relevant legal documentation, and liaise with clergy, crematoria, florists and more to ensure you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Transportation

Your loved one will need to be transferred from their place of death into our care, where we’ll look after them until the day of the service. This is carried out by experienced professionals using a specialised vehicle. This often comes at a set price within a certain radius of your chosen Mareena Purslowe Funerals location and at a per-kilometre cost after that. We will also organise to transport your loved one to the funeral on the day and to their final resting place.

Venue and service

You may choose to hold the service in the funeral home’s chapel or at a special place nearby. You might also want to organise a viewing in a private room at the funeral home for family to say a private goodbye. Other inclusions might be refreshments, floral arrangements and a quiet space for you and your guests to reflect.

Burial or cremation

Burial is generally a more expensive option and involves purchasing a gravesite, the right of interment and opening and closing fees. The cost is determined by the cemetery and your Funeral Specialist can help you navigate this process.

Cremation is a common choice today and allows the family to hold onto their loved one’s ashes after they’re gone. You may decide to purchase an urn to keep your loved one’s remains in or a piece of keepsake jewellery to keep them close.

Memorial

After the funeral service, you may need some time to decide on how you will memorialise your loved one. Many families choose to purchase a plaque, headstone, tree or other monument in a memorial park or place of special significance. This allows family and friends to visit them for years to come.

How we can support you

Our women know from years of experience how challenging it can be to say goodbye to a loved one. That’s why we take the utmost care to support you and your family through the process.

We take a truly personal and compassionate approach to planning your loved one’s farewell. We take care of all the details, leaving you space to grieve in your own time. Sharing our strength when you need it most.

From the first meeting, we’ll guide you through each decision. We’ll make all the arrangements to create a truly personalised service to bid your loved one farewell. We’ll provide honest, transparent pricing to remove the stress from the situation. And we’ll connect you with caring professionals and additional grief support if you need it.

What payment options are available?

In many cases, the funeral is paid for using funds from the Estate of the person who has passed. Otherwise, the family or the Executor of the Will may cover the cost and be reimbursed by the Estate at a later date.

If your loved one took out funeral insurance before they passed, some or all of the cost may be covered by the provider.

If your loved one does not have an Estate, the family will often pay for the funeral. The person who’s passed may also be entitled to concessions or bereavement payments from Centrelink based on their individual circumstances.

If you choose to pre-plan a funeral, our Guardian Plan allows you to pre-pay your funeral in full or spread the repayments over a period of up to three years. This may take the financial burden off your family and ensures everything is taken care of after you pass.

Guardian Plan is a funeral bond issued by the Over Fifty Guardian Friendly Society Limited (the Society) ABN 81 087 649 063 AFSL 524353. Proudly part of InvoCare. InvoCare is Australia’s leading provider of funeral, cemetery, crematoria and related services.

Proudly part of InvoCare. InvoCare is Australia’s leading provider of funeral, cemetery, crematoria and related services.