The funeral industry in Australia is currently estimated to be $1.5 billion and provides essential services to individuals and families dealing with, or preparing for, death and bereavement.

However, navigating the funeral industry in Sydney, New South Wales can leave many of us vulnerable to upselling and confused with no understanding of the industry and little idea of our rights and choices.

The following information is provided in a series of articles to assist consumers learn more about some of the largest funeral companies in Australia. In this article we provide an overview of Guardian Funerals: Sydney, New South Wales.

About Guardian Funerals

Guardian Funerals is a Sydney, New South Wales funeral brand owned by InvoCare, a publicly listed multinational company which accounts for approximately 34% of all funeral homes in Australia. Guardian Funerals has been operating in Sydney, New South Wales for decades. Their brands also include David Lloyd Funerals in Newcastle and Tobin Brothers in Canberra. Guardian Funerals has over 30 funeral homes operating in New South Wales.

In addition to Guardian Funerals, InvoCare own many other brands such as White Lady Funerals, Simplicity Funerals and Value Funerals.

NOTE: When selecting a funeral home in Sydney, New South Wales, one question you need to consider is whether to engage a large corporate funeral home (like Guardian Funerals) or the services of a smaller, local and family-owned funeral home. While large corporations have the benefit of a well-known brand, it often means that you’ll pay a premium, and you may not have as much flexibility to personalise the funeral, so it’s worthwhile to consider all of your options.

Guardian Funerals Costs

Guardian Funerals is a premium funeral brand in Sydney, New South Wales and one of the most expensive funeral services available in NSW. To help you compare prices, we’ve set out the starting price of a basic cremation and burial charged by Guardian Funerals and Hansen & Cole Funerals.

Hansen & Cole Funerals Costs

Note: These prices are taken from InvoCare and are current as at the time of publication.  Please check website for inclusions and exclusions to avoid hidden fees.  

For more information, see our guide on Understanding Funeral Costs and our Sydney, New South Wales Funeral Directors page for city specific information on funeral costs and how to find a local funeral home.

Shop Around and Select an Independent Funeral Home

Although most consumers will pick Sydney, New South Wales funeral home brands based on expensive marketing campaigns, it pays to shop around. We wouldn’t consider buying a car or paying for a wedding without learning everything we can about the product or service. The same decision making process should also apply to funerals Sydney, New South Wales!

If local ownership and community involvement is important to you, you should ask yourself ‘who owns and operates the funeral home you are considering‘. By choosing to use the services of Sydney, New South Wales funeral directors, listed with eziFunerals, you are selecting the help of a trusted professional – who can help you anywhere, anytime. They are not distracted or bound by corporate rules handed down from head office and shareholders but can be flexible and responsive to individual needs, providing a highly personal and compassionate service.

For more information on funeral choices in each of the states, see our city specific pages:

• Funeral Directors Sydney
• Funeral Directors Melbourne
• Funeral Directors Brisbane
• Funeral Directors Adelaide
• Funeral Directors Perth
• Funeral Directors Hobart

About eziFunerals

eziFunerals is a free consumer advocacy and funeral planning platform that supports individuals and families cope with end of life decisions, death and funerals. We are an independent, Australian-owned and operated company, and are not a subsidiary of any other corporation. We are not part of any other funeral company. Founded by consumers frustrated by how difficult it was to get independent information, eziFunerals supports consumers plan a funeral, compare prices and select the right funeral director in Sydney, New South Wales anywhere, anytime.

Peter Erceg

Peter is the Founder & Owner of eziFunerals Pty Ltd. Published Author - ‘What Kind Of Funeral?, Vivid Publishing. He has a long family history within the funeral industry and understands the issues faced by both consumers and funeral directors when arranging a funeral from Cradle2grave®.