Ways families keep costs down
- Get two itemised quotes. Prices for similar funerals vary a lot. Our guide to choosing a funeral director has the questions to ask.
- Consider a direct cremation and a memorial later, at home, a park or a favourite place.
- Hold the wake somewhere free and let friends bring food. A meal roster keeps it organised.
- Skip the newspaper notice. A free Fondly page carries the details, RSVPs and livestream in one link.
More on paying, including help if you can't afford a funeral: planning and paying for a funeral.
Questions
How much does a funeral cost in Australia?
Moneysmart puts most funerals at $8,000 to $20,000. A direct cremation, with no service at the time, usually costs a few thousand dollars.
Is cremation cheaper than burial?
Usually. Burial adds a plot and cemetery fees, and often a headstone later. Once a service, venue and catering are added, the gap can narrow.
Where do these figures come from?
Each line shows its source: the Australian Seniors Cost of Death Report 2023, the Golden Insurance Funeral Report, and one provider’s published direct-cremation average. They are averages that people reported, not quotes.
Who pays for the funeral?
The person who arranges the funeral is responsible for the bill, though it usually comes out of the estate. Banks will often pay a funeral invoice from the person’s account.
Sources
- Moneysmart: paying for your funeral
- Australian Seniors Cost of Death Report 2023
- Golden Insurance Funeral Report, as cited by Bare (2026)
- Bare, national average for its direct cremation (May 2026)
General information, not financial advice. Averages checked on 12 October 2026.