Request free quotes from local funeral directors and get an estimate of funeral costs. It’s easy. Give it a try!
Dealing with death is emotionally difficult, but dealing with the financial cost of saying goodbye to a loved one can make it even harder.
Most of us only find out about funeral costs when we need to arrange the funeral of a family member or friend. According to Australian Securities and Investment Commission, the cost of a simple funeral in the Australia can range between $4,000 to $15,000, and prices continue to rise every year. With the cost of funerals increasing above inflation, a growing number of bereaved families in Australia are struggling to pay.
It pays to do your homework
What makes it harder is that funeral costs charged by funeral directors can vary significantly. Our research has found that most funeral homes are reluctant to provide itemised costs for a funeral and will try to “sell” you different funeral packages. This makes it difficult for you to compare quotes and avoid being overcharged for things you never asked for, don’t want or need. So it pays to do your homework.
That’s where eziFunerals can help. We are an independent funeral consumer advocacy and planning service for families who need help when someone has passed away or the loss of a family member is anticipated soon. Unlike other funeral companies, we offer a FREE service where you can receive independent information, plan a funeral online and compare funeral homes on quality, service and price. The following tips are provided by eziFunerals to help you save money on costly funeral expenses and stay within your budget.
Plan the funeral online
There are so many emotional and financial decisions to be made at the time of loss and it can be additionally stressful and upsetting. What kind of funeral should it be? What funeral provider should you use? Should you bury or cremate the body? What other arrangements should you plan? And, practically, how much is it all going to cost? Our comprehensive online funeral planning service helps you and your family plan a meaningful funeral (At Need & Advanced) from the comfort of your home. Without a funeral director present. Sign up on our site and simply follow the steps needed to plan a personalised funeral. We then store your plan until you need to use it.
Shop around
You wouldn’t walk into the nearest car yard and buy the first car and added extras the salesperson recommended, but that’s how most people buy funeral goods and services. Although it may be emotionally difficult for consumers to ‘shop around’ for funeral services, it makes sense that you should use the same techniques you use with any other major purchase. Most people assume they have to use the closest funeral home or the one they’ve used in the past (even if they weren’t happy), but this does not mean that you are getting value for money. When you’re ready, we can help you find the right funeral director at the right price. Shopping around can save you thousands of dollars.
Select the right funeral director
Most consumers are not aware that several major funeral brands are associated with the one parent company.
They are mainly owned by two ASX listed companies, Invocare and Propel Funeral Partners. InvoCare operate over 270 locations and 16 cemeteries and crematoria. InvoCare has 3 national funeral brands in Australia (White Lady Funerals; Simplicity Funerals; and Value Funerals). Propel Funeral Partners, which is seeking to emulate InvoCare, currently operate in 103 locations, including 23 crematoria and 7 cemeteries.
As a consequence, you may be soliciting quotes from funeral homes owned by the same company, without your knowledge.
Remember —
Not all funeral directors are the same. The cost of a funeral can vary signi?cantly depending on which funeral director consumers use and the type of services they choose. Different funeral homes can charge different amounts for the same service. So it pays to get more than one quote and do your homework! Most of all, select a local family owned independent funeral home and get value for money.
About eziFunerals
eziFunerals 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.
