Who Owns Your Local Funeral Home? | What Australian Families Should Know
When you’re planning a funeral, it’s natural to want a caring, local funeral director who understands your needs. But what many Australians don’t realise is that the funeral industry is increasingly dominated by large corporations, and the business that looks independent may actually be part of a national chain.
At eziFunerals, we believe in transparency and choice. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you understand who really owns your local funeral home — and how that can impact price, service, and your family’s experience.
Independent vs Corporate-Owned Funeral Homes
There are two main types of funeral providers in Australia:
1. Independent Funeral Homes
- Usually family-owned or locally operated
- Offer personalised, flexible service
- May be more willing to customise funerals based on your needs or budget
- Often have strong community ties and reputation
2. Corporate-Owned Funeral Homes
- Owned by large companies like InvoCare, Propel Funeral Partners, or private equity groups
- May appear local, but follow corporate pricing structures and policies
- Brand names include White Lady Funerals, Simplicity Funerals, Guardian Funerals, Tuckers, and more
- Often charge higher prices for similar services
Who Are the Major Funeral Corporations in Australia?
The funeral industry in Australia is dominated by two big funeral chains, InvoCare Limited and Propel Funeral Partners (ASX:PFP). Between them they currently control over 40% market share nationally (…and growing). These big chains are reporting higher and higher profits as they continue to increase their footprint and buy out small operators to increase their market share. This may be good news for shareholders, but not for consumers.
*These companies continue to acquire independent funeral homes and the list of funeral brands owned by InvoCare and Propel Funeral partners may vary annually. We do our best to update this list as new information is provided.
Who are InvoCare Funeral Brands?
InvoCare, which is owned by TPG, is Australia’s largest provider of funeral, cemetery, crematoria and related services. It currently operates over 290 funeral locations and 16 cemeteries and crematoria, across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
InvoCare, owns well known funeral home brands such as funeral home, funeral home and funeral home, and has control of more than 34% of the Australian funeral market. It also owns related services and products Guardian Funeral Plans, MyGriefAssist, MyMemorial and Funeral Planner.
Who are Propel Funeral Brands?
Propel Funeral Partners performed over 10,000 funeral services in FY18 and the Company’s portfolio currently comprises 108 locations (54 freehold and 54 leasehold) in Australia and New Zealand, including 24 cremation facilities and 7 cemeteries. It’s recent acquisitions include Seasons Funerals in Western Australia and Norwood Park in New South Wales, Newhaven Funerals in Queensland.
Why Funeral Home Ownership Matters
Knowing who owns your funeral provider helps you:
- Understand the pricing model — corporate-owned homes often follow set price tiers
- Ensure transparency — family-run businesses may be more upfront about costs
- Support local — choosing independent providers helps local economies
- Receive personalised care — independents often tailor services to families and communities
- Avoid unnecessary upsells — corporates may prioritise profit over people
At eziFunerals, we give you the freedom to choose a provider that aligns with your values — whether you prefer a trusted local funeral director or a large brand.
How to Find Out Who Owns Your Funeral Home
It’s not always obvious. Some corporate-owned homes still market themselves as “local.” Here’s how to find out:
- Ask directly: “Is this funeral home independently owned?”
- Check the fine print on websites, brochures, or contracts
- Use eziFunerals to identify and compare providers in your area
- Search the ASIC company register or the provider’s ABN
You deserve to know who you’re dealing with — especially at such a vulnerable time.
How eziFunerals Can Help
We empower families to make informed choices by:
- Listing only independent funeral providers
- Clearly showing who owns what brands
- Offering a free quote service with no pressure
- Helping you compare services, prices, and locations across Australia
- Providing tools to document your funeral preferences and plan ahead
Whether you value cost, culture, or community, eziFunerals helps you find the right funeral director for your family.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Funeral Provider
- Are you independently owned or part of a corporate group?
- Do you offer customised funeral services?
- Can I supply my own coffin or cremation urn?
- What’s included in your funeral package?
- Can I see a full price breakdown?
Asking these questions can help you avoid unnecessary costs and ensure your loved one receives the farewell they deserve.
Choose Transparency. Choose eziFunerals.
We believe every Australian family deserves choice, clarity, and dignity when planning a funeral. With eziFunerals, you can:
- Compare funeral homes
- Plan a funeral online
- Learn more about prepaid options
- Or call 1300 236 402 for support
eziFunerals — Helping Australians plan better goodbyes, without the confusion.
