Survey finds average funeral cost is rising in Australia

Burial costs in 2023 were almost 20 per cent higher than in 2019, an Australian Seniors survey of 1200 Australians and funeral mystery shopper reports found.

Cost increases were making the already challenging process of burying or cremating a loved one even more overwhelming for bereaved families.

Only 40 per cent said the expense of a funeral offered value for money or was "worth it".

But clinical psychologist Dr Kerrie Noonan said funerals were an important part of the grieving process.

"Funerals that don't seem to capture the essence of the person can impact on grief," she said.

"While funerals are essentially a way to remember our dead, they help with our grieving, and help elicit the care and support we need from our family, friends and community".

The research found the average funeral cost was $9,076.

Almost 90 per cent of respondents said funerals were becoming too expensive as the cost-of-living crunch continued.

A funeral calculator was designed by Australian Seniors showing the average price of basic, standard and premium funerals in each state and territory.

The largest funeral expenses were the coffin or casket at approximately $2,808, a headstone at $2,107 and a burial plot for $1,773.

The fee for a cremation runs to $1,381 while cemetery and grave fees were $1,146. The removal of a body cost $645 on average.

Flourishes including catering, at $957, and the funeral cars, at $634, added extra expense. Flowers could increase the price by another $459.

The research found one in three older Australians have helped pay for someone's funeral over the last two years and have experienced hardship as a result.

This financial outpouring took months to recover for 66 per cent of respondents while almost a quarter were still struggling after chipping in for a funeral.

Some seniors noticed changing attitudes towards funerals in recent years and an increase in flexibility around traditions.

There was a greater focus on celebrating life rather than mourning and services were less religious.

There was more technology involved and 70 per cent noticed that wearing black was no longer a standard expectation.

Australian Seniors noted that the average funeral playlist had changed from sombre, reflective music to joyous hits from pop icons Elvis Presley, Queen, Frank Sinatra and Elton John.

"Australians are clearly thinking about their legacy and want to pay for their own funeral," Dr Noonan said.

"Everyone has a role in normalising family conversations about funeral arrangements," she said.

"Fortunately, attitudes are changing, and more people acknowledge how important it is to plan ahead while healthy as the worst time to talk about emotionally charged issues is when we are under stress from grief."