A funeral is more than a ceremony. It is a bridge between loss and healing. It helps us accept death, share our grief, and honour a life lived.
A fitting farewell allows us to both acknowledge the reality of our grief and celebrate the unique person we have loved. In gathering with others, we draw on shared strength, begin to heal through connection, and give ourselves permission to grieve openly.
A funeral:
Understand your options and create a service that reflects your loved one.
Search our directory to find trusted funeral directors who meet high professional standards of care and ethics.
Start meaningful conversations about your farewell and reduce uncertainty for your loved ones.
Explore resources that support emotional wellbeing and guide you through loss.
The cost of a funeral can vary widely, depending on the choices made by the family much like building a house. Some costs are fixed, like legal paperwork and certificates, while others depend on your preferences.
Funeral costs usually include:
Members of Funerals Australia are required to provide you with an itemised estimate for all funeral costs which will provide transparency in understanding what is included. They welcome the opportunity to answer your questions and will tailor your preferences to suit your budget.
We believe that everyone has the right to a fitting farewell, in whatever form that takes, delivered with empathy and skill by experienced and trusted professionals.
For over 90 years, our members have been a guiding hand to families, helping them through the challenging time of farewelling a loved one. They bring compassion, expertise, and care to every funeral they arrange. No matter your beliefs, culture or story, our members help create a service that truly fits.
Having open and honest conversations about death and end-of-life wishes may feel difficult, but talking now well before the time comes can make a world of difference later. It helps avoid confusion, eases pressure on your family, and ensures your wishes are known and respected.
Ask yourself: Do the people closest to you know what matters most to you? Do you know what matters most to them? We often know parts of each other’s stories, but rarely the whole.
Your goodbye is about creating a farewell that truly reflects your life shaped not just by you, but with the input of those who matter most. It’s the final chapter in your story, and like any good story, it’s made stronger through shared understanding, honesty, and love.
Every life is unique, and every goodbye should be too. Don’t wait. Start the conversation now. Because once you’re gone, the chance to do so is gone too.
‘Your Goodbye’ is our resource to help families talk openly about end-of-life wishes.
Grief is a natural and individual response to loss. It can bring a mix of emotions from sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness and may also cause physical symptoms such as exhaustion, sleep difficulties, or feeling disconnected from the world.
Everyone experiences grief differently. There’s no right way to grieve and no set timeline. It can resurface around meaningful dates and moments, and emotions may shift suddenly, like waves or a roller-coaster. Be kind to yourself and allow those moments. Explore our articles and resources that can help you make sense of it all.
Contact the person’s doctor as soon as possible. A doctor needs to confirm and certify the death before funeral arrangements can begin. If unavailable, an ambulance officer or nurse can complete a Verification of Death. In most cases, hospitals and care facilities manage this process. For deaths at home or in unusual circumstances, police or the coroner may be involved. Rules vary by state, so check with local authorities if unsure.
Usually, the Next of Kin such as a spouse, child, parent or sibling is responsible for making funeral arrangements. If there’s a Will, the named Executor can also appoint someone to arrange the funeral. In rare cases, a social worker or authorised official may take responsibility.
It varies. Some costs are fixed, like legal paperwork and certificates, while others depend on your preferences. Funeral costs usually include professional service fees, third-party disbursements (items the funeral director pays on your behalf), and the coffin or casket.
Disbursements often include things like cemetery or cremation fees, flowers, musicians, catering, audio-visual equipment, keepsakes, and other personalised touches. Your funeral director will explain all your options and give you an itemised estimate. It’s important to take your time, ask questions, and make informed decisions.
Contact a Funeral Director as soon as possible. Members of Funerals Australia have a wide network of professionals both interstate and overseas who can help facilitate the transportation of your loved one home. They can manage transport, paperwork, and customs requirements. Extra costs may apply.
Yes. It eases the emotional and financial burden on your loved ones and ensures your wishes are honoured. Most people have little experience organising a funeral, and it can be overwhelming during a time of grief. You can pre-plan or pre-pay through a Funeral Director or use our Your Goodbye resources to start the conversation and begin recording your wises.
When a pre-paid funeral is arranged, copies of the contract are usually held by both the arranger and the Funeral director. It’s important to store it safely and let someone know where it is. The contract might also be held by someone trusted like a family member, solicitor, or the Public Trustee. You can also contact the companies listed below to check if a contract exists in the person’s name.
Please enter your postcode to find your nearest Funeral Director.