Tips For Understanding Funeral Costs in Western Australia

It’s no secret that funeral costs can be high, with one in five people experiencing financial hardship due to funeral arrangements. Bare's 2021 Funeral Beliefs and Values Study revealed that Australians frequently face issues such as bundled packages, limited choices, and rising prices. 

Despite these challenges, numerous ways exist to reduce funeral expenses and make this difficult time more manageable. Families can find cost-effective solutions that honor their loved ones without causing financial strain by exploring alternative options and being proactive about planning.

Breakdown of Typical Funeral Costs

When it comes to planning funeral costs, many factors influence the price tag. These expenses can include things like caskets, funeral cars, death certificates, service booklets and flowers. These costs can add up quickly, making it important to plan and stick to a budget. Fortunately, it’s possible to save on funeral costs by focusing on what’s important and avoiding unnecessary extras.

One of the first decisions families must make when arranging a funeral is whether to choose burial or cremation. This choice significantly impacts both the nature of the service and the overall cost.

Burial typically involves a more traditional funeral service, often followed by interment in a cemetery. This option generally incurs higher expenses due to factors such as the purchase of a casket, grave plot, and associated fees. Additional costs may include a celebrant, catering for a wake, and obituary notices. The total cost of a burial can range upwards of $19,000 depending on the specific choices made.

Cremation, on the other hand, offers a more flexible and often less expensive alternative. While it does not exclude the option for a memorial service, it does provide greater freedom in terms of timing and location.

A cremation can be significantly cheaper than a traditional burial. The average cost of a cremation in Western Australia is $6,526 according to Gathered Here, but this can vary significantly based on the type of ceremony and the choice of cremation container.

For instance, some families opt to hold a memorial service and celebration concurrently with the cremation, which can significantly increase the overall cost. Additionally, some families choose to keep the cremated remains and place them in a special location.

There are also government benefits available to help with funeral expenses. In NSW, for example, the Destitute Funeral Grant assists with the cost of a basic cremation when the Next of Kin is unable to cover or contribute to the expense.

Another option is to use a prepaid funeral to lock in today’s prices and avoid future price increases. However, it’s important to note that prepaid funerals are not guaranteed and can’t be transferred if you move states or die before the funds have been used.

Tips for Budgeting

When planning a funeral, it's important to be an informed consumer. Funeral homes often promote pre-selected packages that can make it challenging to understand the individual costs and what you're paying for. These packages may include items you don't need or want. Given the vulnerable state people are often in when making these arrangements, families can end up paying exorbitant fees without realizing it.

One of the most effective ways to reduce funeral costs is to choose cremation over traditional burial. This avoids the expenses of a casket, burial plot, and headstone or grave marker. It also allows you more flexibility to hold a memorial service at home rather than at the funeral home, which can save on catering, newspaper ads, and celebrant fees.

By being an informed and proactive consumer, you can ensure you only pay for the funeral services and products your family truly needs, rather than getting locked into an expensive pre-packaged deal. Taking the time to shop around and compare options can make a significant difference in the overall cost.

Another way to save money is by limiting the amount of time you spend at the funeral service itself. Having a short, simple ceremony that’s focused on celebrating the life of your loved one can be just as meaningful to those who attend. Similarly, you can reduce costs by having a graveside-only service where the only procession is from the vehicle to the cemetery.

Finally, it is a good idea to tell your family about your wishes beforehand and discuss your budget with them. This will help ensure that they understand what you are trying to achieve and will not be tempted to overspend. It's also a good idea to consider any existing funds you may have, such as a prepaid funeral or insurance.

It is also important to set priorities and stick to them. Although some unscrupulous sellers may try to convince you that it is very important to spend a lot of money as a token of love, it is not. One exception, personal care is often more important to friends and family than something generic.

If you’re not sure how much to spend, create a budget and consult experts. Then, choose a funeral director who can offer you the services you need at an affordable price. It’s worth remembering that the Funeral Rule requires funeral directors to disclose their prices, allowing you to compare them.

Finding Affordable Options

When a loved one dies, funeral expenses may be a significant strain on families. However, a few simple tips can help you keep these expenses to a minimum. There are various methods to say farewell to a loved one while keeping costs cheap, including cremation instead of burial, creating a DIY memorial ceremony, or holding a bonfire.

One of the most major funeral expenses is the purchase of a grave space and casket. These can easily add up to a few thousand dollars, so choosing a direct cremation with a home service or unattended cremation is an excellent option to save money. This method is also environmentally friendly, and family members can disperse the ashes. This option is also environmentally friendly and allows family members to scatter the ashes in places that are meaningful to them, such as favourite beaches or parks.

Another way to reduce the cost of a funeral is to avoid unnecessary expenses such as catering, newspaper advertising, and celebrant fees. By being proactive in budgeting and comparing prices with different funeral homes, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible value. Some funeral directors also provide prepaid funeral options that allow customers to lock in a fixed price for a future ceremony, which can offer peace of mind and help to reduce costs.

In addition, some state agencies offer government assistance when a deceased person has no relatives or friends who can pay for funeral expenses. This includes state-funded pauper's funerals and dignified memorial services provided by non-profit funeral charities. Survivors who wish to receive this assistance should contact their state agencies for more information on how to proceed.

A final tip is to remember that funerals can be as lavish or simple as you like, so you can always save money by choosing only the services you need. For example, when Ulrich Baumann's mother died, she wanted a cardboard casket for her children to draw on and a funeral under a rubber tree. Despite being initially told that this was not the industry standard, Baumann did his research and discovered that he could create a funeral that would fulfill his mother's wishes without spending a lot of money.

Potential Hidden Costs

Despite the efforts of regulators, many consumers still have difficulty understanding what their funeral will cost. A large part of this problem is that funeral services are often hidden, with costs bundled together into a single price tag. Some of these hidden costs can include fees such as a casket hire fee, newspaper notice or cremation administration fee. These extra charges can add up quickly, especially if you’re not aware of them.

The funeral industry has long been criticized for a lack of transparency in pricing and practices. Consumers often find themselves making difficult decisions under immense emotional stress, leaving them vulnerable to inflated costs. This is exacerbated by the industry’s consolidation, with a small number of large providers dominating the market.

To combat these issues, a growing number of consumers are seeking out alternative providers offering simpler, more affordable funeral options. The rise of online platforms has empowered consumers to compare prices and services, fostering greater competition and driving down costs.

For those who prefer a simple send-off, you can reduce funeral costs by opting for a direct cremation. This option can be less than half the cost of a traditional funeral, but you will still need to pay for a memorial or service. You can also save money by donating your body to science education and research, which eliminates the need for a cemetery plot.

In addition to reducing funeral expenses, you can also find ways to offset the cost of a funeral by applying for financial assistance. There are several government schemes available, including the Homicide Funeral Assistance Scheme which helps with the costs of a funeral for the relatives of someone who was killed by a member of their family. Visit this website for more information and an application form. You may also be able to claim compensation from a deceased person’s private health, sickness, accident, or life insurance policies or get help from Centrelink.