Organising a funeral is one of the most difficult things we will ever be asked to do. People are in a vulnerable state and find it difficult to make decisions when planning a funeral. They don’t know what to do or who to trust. That’s where eziFunerals can help!

There are now a number of different options available to you when planning and arranging a funeral in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages and you should choose carefully the best option that meets your individual needs and circumstances. This checklist summarise the advantages and disadvantages of different funeral planning approaches.

 

OPTION 1 – EZIFUNERALS PLANNING SERVICE

Advantages
  • Free service
  • Plan the funeral yourself (without Funeral Director involvement)
  • Experienced staff
  • You’re in total control
  • More transparent pricing
  • No pressure sales
  • No obligation to choose a funeral home
  • No hidden fees or commissions
  • Save time and money
  • Dealing with independent and family owned funeral directors.
Disadvantages
  • Do not conduct funerals

 

OPTION 2 – DEAL DIRECTLY WITH FUNERAL BUSINESSES

Advantages
  • Experienced staff
  • Save time
  • Less stress
  • Low risk
Disadvantages
  • Less control
  • Possible hidden fees and costs
  • Pressure sales environment
  • May pay for things you don’t need
  • Possibly dealing with businesses from the same company
  • Funeral homes owned by big corporate funeral chains work for shareholders, not consumers.

 

OPTION 3 – DO IT YOURSELF FUNERALS

Advantages
  • More control
  • No hidden fees and costs
  • Save money
  • More transparent
Disadvantages
  • Dealing with a complex industry
  • High risk if things go wrong

Read our Guide on DIY Funerals.

 

OPTION 4 – INDEPENDENT V CORPORATE FUNERAL DIRECTORS

You might not know it, but most of the larger funeral brands in Australia are owned by two public listed companies – InvoCare and Propel Funeral Partners. This means that there’s a good chance that most of the funeral brands you’ve heard of are owned by a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Choosing between a corporate or family-owned funeral brand is a personal question. Corporate funeral brands are often able to charge a premium due to brand recognition and the belief that their services will be of a higher professional quality. On the other hand, independent funeral homes in Australia work for consumers and not shareholders of publicly listed companies. They are often more connected with the communities they serve and have more freedom to tailor funerals to reflect the wishes of the family (rather than being bound by strict package options). So it’s worthwhile to consider all of your options. If a more personalised service is important to you, you should ask who owns and operates the funeral home you are considering.

For more information on funeral choices in each of the states, see our City specific pages:

If you need a Quick Quote, you can connect with independent funeral directors by filling in a simple and easy quote request form.

 

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. eziFunerals helps consumers plan a funeral, get quotes and select the right funeral director anywhere, anytime.