Part I: Preparing for the Inevitable

What’s Inside

This chapter is part of the complete Australian funeral planning guide —

Your Funeral, Your Way

In this part of the book, you’ll find practical steps for:

• Documenting your funeral wishes clearly
• Recording essential contacts and information
• Exploring financial preparations such as funeral bonds, savings, and pre-paid plans
• Nominating a Funeral Guardian to carry out your wishes
• Capturing your life story so it can be honoured and remembered
• Sharing your wishes with family

Reflection Prompt ✦

Before you continue, pause and reflect:

• How do you want your family to remember you?
• Who would you trust to make arrangements if you couldn’t?
• Which values, traditions, or rituals are most important for your farewell?
• What would you want your life story to say about you?

Take a few moments to consider these questions. They are the foundation of planning ahead.

Planning Your Funeral Wishes

“If you don’t decide, someone else will — often in a moment of grief.” — Funeral planning advisor

Thinking about your own funeral may feel uncomfortable, but planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones.

It spares them from having to make difficult choices while grieving and ensures your farewell reflects your values and story.

By documenting your funeral wishes in advance, you:

• Ensure your farewell reflects your personal values and beliefs
• Spare your family from making rushed decisions under stress
• Protect your loved ones from overspending or being pressured by sales-driven providers
• Give those left behind peace of mind, knowing they honoured your wishes

Why written wishes matter

Some people include funeral directions in their will, but this is rarely effective. In most cases, a will isn’t read until after the funeral has already taken place. That means it’s too late to be useful.

Instead, prepare a separate, accessible funeral plan that can be shared with your executor, family, or nominated Funeral Guardian.

Many Australians now choose to use online planning tools (such as eziFunerals), where their wishes are securely stored and only released at the right time.

Choices to document

Your plan should include:

• Burial, cremation, or eco-burial preference
• Type of service → religious, non-religious, civil, or “celebration of life”
• Venue → church, chapel, graveside, crematorium, home, or natural burial ground
• Music, readings, rituals → elements that reflect your culture, faith, or personality
• Flowers or donations → e.g. “no flowers, donations to charity instead”
• Obituary and notices → what details you’d like included, and where published
• Special requests → dress codes, live-streaming, digital memorials, QR-code tributes

Your wishes don’t need to be rigid — they are best seen as a guidebook for your family.

Recording Important Information and Contacts

“When families know where to look, they can focus on what really matters.” — End-of-life planning guide

When a person dies, families are often overwhelmed by more than just grief. They are left trying to locate documents, phone numbers, bank accounts, passwords, and insurance details — usually within the first few days.

This confusion can delay funeral arrangements, add unnecessary stress, and sometimes even cause disputes.

By recording your important information in advance, you ensure your family is not left searching drawers, files, or computer drives at the worst possible time.

What to record

Make a simple but detailed record of the following:

• Family & Friends → names, relationships, phone numbers, and email addresses
• Key Contacts → executor, lawyer, accountant, doctor, celebrant, funeral director, insurance provider
• Service Providers → utilities, Medicare, Centrelink, banks, superannuation, veterans’ affairs, private health
• Insurance Policies → health, life, funeral, vehicle, home, and any prepaid funeral bonds or plans
• Legal & Identity Documents → will, enduring power of attorney, advance care directive, birth/marriage/divorce certificates, passport, property deeds, military service records, superannuation details
• Financial Accounts & Debts → savings, investments, pensions, loans, mortgages, credit cards
• Property & Valuables → real estate, vehicles, jewellery, collections, heirlooms, and digital assets

Don’t forget your digital legacy

Many people now live as much of their life online as offline. Make sure you also record:

• Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) — noting whether you’d like them deleted or memorialised
• Email accounts and cloud storage
• Subscription services (Netflix, Spotify, Apple, etc.)
• Cryptocurrency wallets or digital investments
• Passwords or password manager access (stored securely)

Where to keep it

• Store your record securely in a fireproof box, safe, or with your executor
• Keep a digital copy in an encrypted file or with an online funeral planning service such as eziFunerals
• Make sure at least one trusted person knows where it is and how to access it

⚠️ Don’t rely on your will alone. Wills are often read after the funeral. Keep a separate, accessible funeral plan that your family or Funeral Guardian can use immediately.

Prepaying Your Funeral Costs

“Preparation is not about expecting death — it’s about protecting those you love.” — Funeral planning advisor

Funeral costs in Australia can vary significantly depending on the provider, location, and the choices made.

Many people decide to prepay or prearrange their funeral to spare their family from financial and emotional pressure later. However, not all products are the same, and understanding your options is essential.

Why consider prepaying?

Prepaying or planning ahead allows you to:

• Lock in today’s prices and avoid future cost increases
• Make your own decisions about service details
• Ease the emotional and financial burden on family members
• Ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as you intend

But it’s important to choose a plan that offers flexibility, transparency, and protection — not just convenience.

Common options

1. Prepaid funeral plan

You enter into a written contract with a funeral director and pay for the chosen services in advance.

• Prices are based on today’s costs.
• Funds must be held securely in a regulated funeral fund or trust.
• Always check if the plan allows changes, cancellations, or transfers if you move interstate.

💡 Tip: Only deal with providers who are licensed and transparent about where your money is held.

2. Funeral bond

A funeral bond is an investment product designed to accumulate funds to pay for your funeral.

• It’s not tied to a specific funeral director.
• You can contribute gradually.
• It may be exempt from Centrelink means testing up to a set limit.
• The funds can only be withdrawn upon death to pay funeral costs.

This option offers flexibility and security — especially if you prefer to choose a funeral provider later.

3. Funeral insurance

Funeral insurance involves paying regular premiums to receive a fixed benefit on death.

• It may seem affordable initially, but premiums can increase over time.
• If payments stop, cover can lapse and you may lose everything paid in.
• Many people end up paying more in premiums than the benefit amount.

⚠️ Caution: Funeral insurance is rarely good long-term value. Consider savings or a bond instead.

4. Personal savings or estate allocation

For some, the simplest solution is to set aside funds in a savings account or through their will.

• Keep the account accessible to your executor or next of kin.
• Note in your funeral plan where the funds are held and how they should be used.

Questions to ask before signing

Before committing to any prepaid plan or product, ask:

• Who controls the funds, and how are they protected?
• What happens if I move or change my mind?
• Are there cancellation or transfer fees?
• What exactly does the plan cover (and not cover)?
• How will my family access the plan when needed?

Transparency is key. Reputable providers will answer your questions clearly and provide documentation without pressure.

Reflection Prompt ✦

Take a few minutes to reflect:

• What’s most important — peace of mind, flexibility, or control over details?
• Would prepaying relieve your family’s stress, or would saving be simpler?
• Who can you trust to manage or access these funds when the time comes?

Write down your thoughts. Financial planning for funerals is not morbid — it’s a gift of care and clarity for those you love.

Appointing a Funeral Guardian

If you haven’t already, nominate a Funeral Guardian. This person is different from your executor — they focus only on ensuring your funeral wishes are respected and carried out.

Some planning platforms, like eziFunerals, allow you to securely nominate and link your plan to a guardian, with access granted only when needed.

Capturing Your Life Story

“Every life is a story worth telling — make sure yours is not left untold.” — Legacy writer

When a loved one dies, families are often left wishing they had asked more questions, heard more stories, or captured more memories. Without preparation, those stories can be lost forever.

Recording your life story ensures your voice, memories, and personality live on. It also provides the foundation for a meaningful eulogy or memorial tribute.

Why your story matters

• It helps your family celebrate your life, not just mourn your death.
• It gives future generations a sense of identity and belonging.
• It captures the values, lessons, and milestones that shaped who you are.

How to record your story

There is no “right” way to capture your story — what matters is that it reflects you. Some options include:

• Writing → A memoir, journal, or letters to family members.
• Audio or video reflections → Record your voice, tell your stories, or create short video clips.
• Digital memory books → Upload photos, captions, and anecdotes to an online platform.
• AI-assisted tools → Modern services can now turn conversations or interviews into digital memoirs or even interactive “life story” archives.
• Time capsules → Collect favourite songs, letters, photos, or keepsakes for your family to open in the future.

Prompts to get started

If you feel stuck, start with simple questions:

• Where and when were you born?
• Who were the most influential people in your life?
• What were your proudest achievements?
• Which songs, places, or experiences defined your story?
• What lessons or advice would you like to pass on?

Make it accessible

Whatever method you choose, make sure your story is stored somewhere safe and accessible to your Funeral Guardian, executor, or family. This ensures it can be included in your farewell and preserved for the generations to come.

💡 Tip: Don’t aim for perfection — aim for honesty. Even a short letter or a few recorded stories can mean the world to your family.

Sharing Your Plan

“Plans only help if the people who need them know where to find them.” — Funeral planning guide

Writing down your funeral wishes is a powerful first step. But if no one knows about them, or if the plan cannot be located when it’s needed, all your preparation could go to waste.

Why sharing matters

• Families often don’t read wills until after the funeral.
• Executors may not know where documents are stored.
• Digital files can be forgotten if passwords or logins are not shared.

By sharing your plan, you remove doubt and ensure your wishes can be acted on immediately.

Who should know

• Funeral Guardian → the person you’ve nominated to carry out your wishes.
• Executor of your estate → to coordinate legal and financial matters.
• Close family or friends → so they know where to find your plan.

How to share safely

• Keep a printed copy in an accessible but safe place (e.g. with your will or important documents).
• Provide a copy to your Funeral Guardian or executor.
• Use a secure online platform such as eziFunerals, where your plan can be stored digitally and released only at the right time.
• Make sure someone knows where the plan is stored and how to access it.

💡 Tip: Review and update your plan as life changes — marriages, relocations, new wishes, or financial changes may mean your plan needs refreshing.

Reflection Prompt ✦

Take a moment to ask yourself:

• Have I recorded my wishes clearly?
• Does my family know where to find them?
• Have I shared enough of my story so my life will be remembered authentically?

“Planning ahead is an act of love — easing tomorrow’s burdens while ensuring your story is honoured in the way you choose.”