This is the most expensive Australian city for funerals
Losing someone who’s close to you is hard enough without thinking about the funeral costs, which can quickly spiral out of control. But how much are Australian families being slugged for funeral expenses on average?
Well, it depends on what part of Australian you live in.
A recent Finder.com.au survey had Perth at the top of the list of most-expensive Australian cities by funeral cost, with ceremonies costing families around $7,764 on average.
Sydney came in second ($7,621), followed by Melbourne ($7,586) and Adelaide ($6,657), with Hobart ($6,508) and Canberra ($6,131) at the other end of the spectrum.
Finder.com.au spokeswoman Bessie Hassan says this price disparity is a sign that people need to be aware of potential funeral costs and make advance plans.
Ms Hassan told News.com.au, “Although not fun to think about, funerals incur a cost that a lot of people don’t consider, and it’s not uncommon for a burial to exceed $10,000. Those who are concerned should consider taking out a comprehensive funeral insurance policy or prepaying the cost of their service.”
It’s never been more expensive to cover funeral expenses, with a separate study from the University of Sydney Business School accusing funeral directors of “upselling” ceremonies to families that are still vulnerable and grieving.
Business School Professor Sandra van der Laan said, “Upselling is also common with funeral directors basically hinting that if you loved the departed, you should consider a more expensive coffin, which might be marked up by a thousand per cent. Upselling also goes on in relation to flowers and a range of other things you actually don’t need.
“In the end, a lot of what you’re paying for is the funeral director’s fees and all they really do is organise to get the body from the hospital to the funeral service and then to the cemetery or the crematorium as well as ensuring all the paperwork is in order.”
What are you views? Do you think the funeral industry is operating in an exploitative way? Or are they within their rights to offer additional services?
To view the Finder.com.au research, click here.