More than 160,000 Australians will die this year with one person dying every 3 minutes. Most of these deaths bring not just grief to many, but also profit to others.
The funeral industry in Australia is currently estimated to be more than $2 billion and provides essential services to individuals and families dealing with, or preparing for, death and bereavement.
‘The funeral industry in Australia is a tale of two economies.’
Yet despite this important community service, the funeral industry is a tale of two economies, dominated by large publicly listed companies, being InvoCare Limited (ASX: IVC) and Propel Funeral Partners (ASX:PFP). Between them they currently control over 40% market share nationally (…and growing).
The rest of the industry is made up of many modest independent and family owned funeral homes who have strong links to the community. The hundreds of smaller independent and family operated funeral homes that compete with these public corporations have been affected profoundly by their business practices and pricing.
Here are the Two Public Listed Companies That Control The Funeral Industry:
InvoCare Limited (ASX:IVC)
InvoCare is the largest funeral operator in Australia and New Zealand and currently operate over 290 locations and 16 cemeteries and crematoria. InvoCare has 3 national funeral brands in Australia (White Lady Funerals; Simplicity Funerals; and Value Funerals) and over 33 regional funeral home brands in different states across Australia.
InvoCare has more than 34% overall share of funeral markets in which it operates – which means that if you’ve ever searched for a funeral director, you’ve probably come across one of their funeral brands. Although the names on signs outside funeral homes are well known, the revenues and profits from them flow to corporate shareholders.
InvoCare National Brands
InvoCare Brands by State
New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory
- Allan Drew Funerals
- Ann Wilson Funerals
- Boland Funerals a Guardian Funeral Provider
- David Lloyd a Guardian Funeral Provider
- Grafton & District Funerals
- Guardian Funerals
- Hansen & Cole a Guardian Funeral Provider
- Hastings District Funeral & Cremation Service
- Lester & Son Funeral Directors
- Liberty Funerals
- Southern Highlands Funerals
- Tobin Brothers a Guardian Funeral Provider
- Universal Chung Wah Funeral Directors
- WN Bull Funerals
Queensland
- Burkin Svendsens Funerals
- City Funerals
- Drysdale Funerals
- Gatton Laidley Lowood Funeral Services
- George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals
- Hiram Philp Funerals
- Mackay Funerals
- Somerville Funerals
South Australia
- Blackwell Funerals
- English Rose Funerals
Tasmania
- J. A. Dunn Funeral Directors
- Turnbull Funerals
Victoria
- Charles Crawford & Sons
- Le Pine Funerals
- Lester & Son Funeral Directors
- Southern Cross Funerals
- Tuckers Funeral & Bereavement Service
- W.D. Rose & Joseph Allison Funerals
Western Australia
- Archer & Sons Funeral Homes
- Christian Funerals
- Green Endings by Oakwood Funerals
- Mareena Purslowe Funerals
- Oakwood Funerals
- Purslowe & Chipper Funeral
Propel Funeral Partners (ASX:PFP)
Propel Funeral Partners was established in FY12 and is now the second largest private provider of death care services in Australia and New Zealand. Propel was founded and is managed by Propel Investments Pty Ltd.
The company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in late November 2017 as it sought to emulate InvoCare by buying up smaller family owned funeral homes. Propel own funeral homes, cemeteries, crematoria and related assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and New Zealand.
Propel performed over 10,000 funeral services in FY18 and the Company’s portfolio currently comprises 108 locations (54 freehold and 54 leasehold) in Australia and New Zealand, including 24 cremation facilities and 7 cemeteries. It’s recent acquisitions include Seasons Funerals in Western Australia and Norwood Park in New South Wales, Newhaven Funerals in Queensland.
Consider Independent Funeral Homes in your community
If local ownership and community involvement are important to you, you should ask who owns and operates the funeral home you are considering.
Despite the monopolisation of the funeral industry, there are still many independent, privately owned funeral directors who are invested in their communities. They are not distracted or bound by corporate rules handed down from head office and shareholders but can be flexible and responsive to individual needs, providing a highly personal and compassionate service.
If you need a Quick Funeral Quote, you can connect with independent funeral directors in your area by simply using our easy funeral quote request form.
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Learn more about planning a funeral in Australia
Read our FREE funeral guides & resources
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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.
