Australian Funeral Index (AFI) 2026 – Annual Edition

Australian Funeral Index (AFI) 2026 – Annual Edition

Tracking the True Cost of Farewells in Australia

🕊 About the AFI

The Australian Funeral Index (AFI) is an independent, annual benchmark compiled by eziFunerals.

Find Funeral Services Across Australia

• Funeral Directors NSW
• Funeral Directors Victoria
• Funeral Directors Queensland
• Funeral Directors Western Australia
• Funeral Directors South Australia

It provides research-based estimates of typical funeral costs across Australia, helping families, journalists, and policymakers understand the real cost of farewells.

The AFI is a research and transparency tool — not a quote or offer of service.

Funeral Industry Snapshot in Australia —

According to IBISWorld, the Australian funeral-services industry is estimated at AUD $2.0 billion in 2025, with growth of about 2.1 % per annum over the past five years. The number of annual deaths remains the primary driver of demand, while regulatory scrutiny by the ACCC is increasing in the sector.

Quick Facts

• The five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was approximately 2.9% between 2019 and 2024.  
• As of 2023, there were 948 businesses in this industry, growing from about 862 in 2019.  
• The number of businesses increased by around 4.9% annually from 2018 to 2023.  
• A few major companies dominate the market: e.g., InvoCare Pty Ltd is identified as the largest operator in the industry.  
• Revenue is heavily reliant on the “number of deaths” each year in Australia — the primary demand driver.  
• The shift from burial to cremation has implications: although cremation is more common, it typically generates lower revenue per service than burial.  
• Regulatory scrutiny has increased; for example, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has raised concerns about pricing transparency in the industry.  

Source: IBISWorld’s Funeral Directors, Crematoria and Cemeteries in Australia report (2025)

💰 National Funeral Cost Overview — 

Estimated Averages for 2026

Figures are research estimates based on a representative sample of public funeral-director price lists and anonymised eziFunerals.

🏙️ Metro Direct Cremation Index (Validated Sample 2026)

Metro prices represent like-for-like packages for unattended direct cremation. “With service” and partial fee listings are excluded.

Unweighted national cross-city mean (excl. Darwin): $2 633, which validates the AFI’s $2 600 national direct-cremation estimate.

📊 Methodology & Data Sources

• Primary data: Public funeral-director price pages in each capital city (direct cremation packages only).
• Secondary data: Aggregated eziFunerals quote submissions and consumer enquiries.
• Normalisation: Outliers removed; “with service” or “fee-only” listings excluded.
• Verification: Cross-checked against CHOICE, Australian Seniors Funeral Report, and state Fair Trading guidelines.
• Limitations: Not a census of all providers; indicative benchmarks only.
• Audit trail: eziFunerals maintains an internal log of provider URLs and access dates for regulatory and media verification.

📈 National Trends for 2026

• Direct cremations ↑ ~3 % year-on-year.
• Eco-friendly options rising: demand for sustainable coffins (e.g., DaisyBox).
• More pre-planning: growth in pre-paid and bonded plans.
• Transparency shift: families using comparison sites to avoid hidden fees.

💬 eziFunerals Commentary

“Families deserve clarity when planning a funeral. The AFI equips Australians with transparent, defensible data so they can plan with confidence and compassion.” — Peter Erceg, Founder of eziFunerals

⚖️ Disclaimer (Research & Consumer Protection Notice)

The Australian Funeral Index 2026 is published by eziFunerals for general information and research purposes. Figures are estimates derived from aggregated public data and internal analytics. eziFunerals is not a financial-services or legal-advice provider. While care is taken to ensure accuracy, no liability is accepted for loss or cost arising from reliance on this material. Users should obtain independent quotes and professional advice before making arrangements.

📚 Definitions & Footnotes

1️⃣ Burial figures exclude cemetery plot and interment fees ($3 000 – $15 000 +).

2️⃣ Direct cremation = unattended cremation with no ceremony or viewing; includes professional service, transfer, cremation, basic coffin, permits and documentation. Costs may or may not include crematorium fees.

3️⃣ Values in AUD and rounded to nearest $1 (metro) or $50 (national/state).

4️⃣ Annual movements compare AFI 2025 vs AFI 2024 baseline.

✅ Next Step

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Peter Erceg

Peter Erceg is the Founder and Owner of eziFunerals — Australia’s Independent Funeral Planning Authority. With more than 40 years of experience in government and public health, Peter has become one of the country’s leading voices on funeral transparency, consumer rights, and ethical funeral practices. Through eziFunerals, Peter has built a national platform that empowers Australian families to make informed end-of-life decisions — free from pressure, commissions, and confusion. His goal is simple: "to help every Australian plan smarter, save money, and choose funeral services with confidence." 🕊 eziFunerals was founded by Peter in 2011, as an independent funeral comparison and planning platform that allows consumers to: • Compare local funeral directors and transparent quotes, • Understand real funeral costs across Australia, and • Connect with trusted, independent funeral homes that uphold the Fair Funeral Promise. As Australia’s Independent Funeral Planning Authority, eziFunerals is recognised by media, consumers, and funeral professionals for its leadership in price transparency and consumer protection. “We believe every family deserves a fair, dignified, and affordable farewell — without hidden fees or sales pressure.” 📘 Peter is the author of What Kind of Funeral: A Self-Help Guide to Planning a Meaningful Funeral, a practical guide that has helped thousands of Australians understand their options and avoid unnecessary costs. He regularly contributes articles and commentary on: • Funeral cost transparency and industry reform, • Prepaid funerals and consumer protection, • Emerging trends in eco-friendly and digital memorials, and • The role of AI and technology in end-of-life planning. 🎙 Peter and eziFunerals have been featured in major Australian media outlets including ABC News. His insights continue to shape the national conversation on funeral costs, consumer rights, and ethical practices in the funeral industry. ⚖️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Peter Erceg are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of eziFunerals or its members. The information provided on this site is general in nature and should not be taken as personal, legal, or financial advice. Consumers are encouraged to conduct their own research and compare funeral services that best meet their needs and circumstances.