ADELAIDE maybe the wine capital of Australia and one of our most liveable cities, but new research suggests that while it may be a great place to live, it is also an expensive place to die.
In a recent Australian Seniors Series, Cost of Death Report (2019), the average cost of a burial or a cremation in Adelaide (metropolitan area) varies widely.
To better understand the average cost of a funeral in Adelaide, research, commissioned by Australian Seniors, listed average funeral prices based on three scenarios for each type of funeral – basic, standard and premium.
These averages are provided for information purposes only. Funeral costs will vary depending on your location, the choices you make and the funeral director you select.
Basic funeral costs in Adelaide
A basic funeral is the simplest type of funeral and typically includes the essential services such as the removal , transport and storage of body, legal documents, professional service fees, budget coffin, cemetery/grave (burial) and crematorium (cremation fees). Optional items such as flowers, notices, memorial books, celebrants, audio visual equipment, mourning vehicles, etc – are not included and are an additional cost.
The research found that the average cost of a basic burial in Adelaide is $5,733, while the average cost of a basic cremation in Adelaide is $1,803.
Why the average cost of a funeral isn’t relevant
Standard funeral costs in Adelaide
A standard funeral is a ‘middle of the range’ funeral and typically includes the essential basic services, plus a mid-range coffin, memorial service and location/venue hire. Optional items such as flowers, notices, memorial books, celebrants, audio visual equipment, mourning vehicles, etc – are not included and are an additional cost.
The research found that the average cost of a standard burial in Adelaide is $7079, while the average cost of a standard cremation in Adelaide is $3,646.
Why the average cost of a funeral isn’t relevant
Premium funeral costs in Adelaide
A premium funeral is a ‘top of the range’ funeral and typically includes the essential basic and standard services plus a high-end coffin, high-end hearse, viewing and celebrant/clergy. Optional items such as flowers, notices, memorial books, celebrants, audio visual equipment, mourning vehicles, etc – are not included and are an additional cost.
The research found that the average cost of a premium burial in Adelaide is $8,610, while the average cost of a premium cremation in Adelaide is $5,121.
Why the average cost of a funeral isn’t relevant
Note: Prices are based on research commissioned by Australian Seniors and conducted by CoreData.
What drives funeral prices in Adelaide
Funeral costs here in Adelaide have been steadily increasing since 2011, and experts warn they’re only going to get more expensive.
According to eziFunerals, a reluctance from consumers to shop around and a lack on transparency in the funeral market is what’s fuelling prices.
“One of the biggest reasons funeral costs are too high is that consumers don’t shop around. Grieving families do not act act rationally when faced with organising a funeral. They rarely query funeral quotes, and often pay more than they need to”, says Erceg.
And when consumers do decide to shop around, they are not aware that they are often soliciting quotes from branches of the same company, without their knowledge. ‘Although the names on billboards and advertisements are well known, the revenues and profits from them flow to corporate shareholders’, he says.
‘So, when looking for a funeral director in Adelaide, the first piece of advice is: “know who you are dealing with and shop around”. Shopping around can save you thousands of dollars’, he said.
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About eziFunerals
eziFunerals supports individuals and families cope with end of life decisions, death and funerals. We are an independent, Australian-owned and operated company, and are not a subsidiary of any other corporation. We are not part of any other funeral company.