Home How much does a funeral cost in Australia compared to the United States of America?
Local

How much does a funeral cost in Australia compared to the United States of America?

Contributors
earth new
© Sean K

The funeral is a celebration of love for someone we want to remember forever. Today, the average funeral cost in Australia is around $7,000 – $9,000, which is the same as the average funeral cost in the USA. This is for traditional funerals. But of course, the actual cost will still depend on what you want. You can make it cheaper, or you can make it extravagant.

Cremation is normally cheaper than burial. It is estimated to cost between $2000 – $6000 in Australia; while in the USA, it is between $6,000 – $7,000. Burial in Australia could cost $4,000 and above while in the USA, it is $8,000 upwards.

The funeral cost has been rising since the 1980s. Caskets and urns already cost thousands of dollars depending on the materials used. There are other things to pay for such as transport, flowers, cemetery, etc. Even the most basic and simple funeral is still expensive, and it might be difficult to afford. Funerals are not unexpected events that is why it is more practical if you pre-arrange your own funeral while you are still in fine condition and in a good state of mind. This way you can save yourself and your family from the pain of paying for an expensive funeral. To prepare is the best way to control the cost. Know the prices of the items so you can prepare a budget in mind. There are many clear advantages in planning ahead.

By planning your own funeral, go shopping for funeral services. Associated goods and services vary depending on the location. You can to visit different funeral homes or talk with different funeral directors Sydney from your area to help you get a price quote. By doing this, you will have awareness of all available options before choosing the funeral service you want. There are funeral homes that offer an all-in package. They will take care of everything from transporting your body, funeral arrangement until you are buried or cremated. But you can also avail different services from different funeral homes.

Every country has rules as to what to do with the body after death. If you are residing in Australia, you can visit the office of the Department of Human Services to know what should happen when someone dies. You can also check their website. There are paper works and legal documents that should be submitted. A death certificate is one of them. If you purchase a service from the funeral director, those you left behind won’t have a hard time since the director will take care of the documents. They know exactly what legal forms would be filed, who will file it and where it should be submitted. Without any professional help, it would be hard and distressing for your loved ones especially if they don’t have experience in this matter.

There are no regulations or whatsoever when it comes to funeral service or ceremony. It all comes down to what you want or what your family wants. You can hold a funeral at a religious place, at your home or anywhere you want. It can be traditional or modern. You can have someone speak or sing during the ceremony. There are plenty of options, and it’s just all up to you. The good thing about planning your own funeral is you can customize it according to your wishes ensuring that you have personal touches on it. You can decide on how you want people to remember you. It will also give peace of mind to your family knowing they are honoring you that way you wanted.

Preparing and paying for your own funeral is something your family will appreciate. It’s the most responsible decision you can make for you and your family. Your passing will be an emotional, stressful and difficult time for your family. If you cover the funeral cost of your own funeral, you take the financial stress from them while they are grieving. You don’t want to risk your family planning for funeral plans at the time of your death. The time is so short, and there are too many things to do; plus the emotions are just too overwhelming. Planning and discussing your own funeral is a smart move you can make before you even need it.

Contributors

Contributors

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.

Latest News

uva tony bennett staff
Sports

Virginia on short turnaround for First Four: ‘It was a crazy 48 hours for us’

tony bennett uva basketball
Sports

Tony Bennett on NC State loss: ‘I believe I made a mistake at the end of the game’

Credit to Virginia coach Tony Bennett, who on Monday, talking with reporters on the eve of his team’s First Four NCAA Tournament game, copped to the strategic mistake in the OT loss to NC State last week that put his team’s season on the brink.

uva basketball beekman dunn
Sports

Virginia most certainly earned its NCAA Tournament bid: But what does it do with it?

Virginia will tip off with Colorado State Tuesday night in a First Four NCAA Tournament game, and despite what resident AFP chucklebum Scott German has to say, the Cavaliers absolutely deserve to be here.

chris graham acc hoops
Sports

Podcast: AFP editor Chris Graham is in Dayton with Virginia in the First Four

ncaa tournament
Sports

Scott German: Virginia clearly didn’t deserve an NCAA Tournament bid

job interview
Economy, Virginia

Virginia Works: Unemployment claims return to pre-COVID-19 levels

Arts & Culture, Virginia

‘National models for aviation and the arts’: Two young Virginia artists qualify in global contest