A recent investigation into the funeral industry by Australia’s leading consumer advocacy group CHOICE, found that some of the larger funeral companies can exploit people at their time of grief. The following guide is part of a series of guides provided by eziFunerals to support Australian consumers plan a funeral before calling a funeral director.
Ask Who Owns Your Local Funeral Director
People are generally unaware that the majority of well known funeral directors in your area are owned by big funeral chains listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. They work for shareholder profits, not for grieving families. Often, the big funeral chains will use family brand names on their signs, because they know customers will be more inclined to trust them, and they often use the reputation of the family name. It is quite common for these publicly listed companies to operate under old family names and not change the look of the premises after the funeral home changes hands. That’s why it’s important to do your homework and not call the first funeral director you find based on expensive sales and marketing campaigns by the big corporate funeral companies.
Connect with Independent Funeral Directors
While there’s no doubt shopping around for a funeral director is probably the last thing you’ll feel like doing when someone has died, funeral directors vary wildly in terms of costs and services so it’s worth getting a few quotes. Once you’ve connected with an eziFunerals member funeral director, they will give you a free and no obligation indication of costs, without the sales pressure from the big funeral chains. While they may not be able to give you a solid quote, a ball-park cost including what services are included can be really helpful. They will listen to your needs, circumstances and budget and offer you enough information before you proceed to contract. There are no hidden fees and they will not try and upsell you things you don’t need or want?
Find a Fair Funeral Provider Near you
Most of our member funeral directors have signed the Fair Funeral Promise. The Fair Funeral Promise is an initiative run by eziFunerals to support Independent Funeral Directors and to increase transparency and tackle the rising costs of funerals. Find a Fair Funeral Provider near you.
We are more than just Funeral directors
Our members are more than just funeral directors. When you connect with a funeral director with eziFunerals, you may find that you make a trusted director for life. It is not uncommon for our member funeral directors to remain in touch with their customers after the funeral is over. Sometimes they call up to see how the family are coping. Connecting with fair and independent funeral directors is simple and easy:
- Go to www.ezifunerals.com.au
- Select Find Funeral Directors.
- Enter your State/Suburb and click “Search”
Give eziFunerals a try today!
eziFunerals is an independent online funeral collaboration platform for Australian consumers needing funeral assistance.
What we do:
We help you find and connect with fair, open and transparent funeral directors before making that dreaded first call. We show you how to avoid being exploited at your time of grief. Instead of picking a funeral company by guesswork, we’ll help you to shop around, get quotes and compare funeral directors on service and price.
What We Don’t Do
- We do not conduct funerals.
- We are not part of any other funeral company.
- We do not get involved with the customers final selection of funeral director.
- We do not receive commissions from funeral directors.
About eziFunerals
eziFunerals supports individuals and families cope with end of life decisions, death and funerals in Sydney, Melbourne and across Australia. 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.
