If there is a will the executor nominated in the will decides on funeral arrangements – wherever possible they should follow the wishes of the deceased person.

The executor should only organise the funeral if they intend to take on all executor duties (including applying for probate if applicable).

If there is no will, the people closest to the deceased usually organise the funeral.

While the family’s wishes are important when arranging a funeral, it helps to prevent disagreements if the executor has the final say in how the funeral is to be arranged.

Many people leave instructions regarding their funeral in their will including important information about whether it is their wish to be buried or cremated, to use a specific funeral company.

If the deceased person’s will references a pre-arranged, pre-paid funeral, funeral insurance or a pre-paid burial plot you will need to find out from the provider if there are any restrictions around the funeral provider you can use, the types of services that are included, and what the total budget is.

If there is funeral insurance find out from the provider if the funeral can be paid for upfront and a claim made following the funeral or if the fund will pay the benefit directly to the funeral company.

The average cost of a funeral is between $4,000 and $15,000. A cremation only or a DIY funeral is significantly less expensive.

 

The person arranging the funeral is responsible for the funeral invoice. Before incurring any costs we recommend you establish if the estate has sufficient funds to pay for the funeral expenses so there are no surprises when the bill comes.

A funeral invoice can be presented to the deceased person’s bank to be paid from the deceased person’s bank account if sufficient funds are held by them.

Do NOT use a deceased person's credit card to pay for funeral expenses.

Do not withdraw any monies from the deceased person’s bank account in anticipation for the funeral costs.

If there aren't enough funds in the deceased person's bank account the executor or next of kin can pay for the funeral and be reimbursed from the estate after probate is granted and assets have been transferred. Please be aware it can take several months for funeral expenses to be reimbursed and they can be considerable.

• You cannot engage a funeral director or make funeral preparations until you have received a Certificate of Cause of Death from a medical practitioner or the coroner but you can discuss funeral or memorial arrangements with family members.
• You do not need to engage a funeral director immediately but can take a few hours or days to establish if there are any pre-arranged funeral plans and take time to make arrangements that work for you and your family.
• If you need to transport the deceased but have not yet made final arrangements you can engage the services of a funeral director to transport the body and keep it in their morgue, without engaging their services for the funeral.
• You and your family may want to have the deceased person at home for religious or cultural reasons (or just because it aligns with your values). We can connect you with good humans who can help you navigate this and assist you in making appropriate arrangements.
• Choose the type of funeral you wish to have depending on the wishes of the deceased, your family, and your budget.
• Observe any cultural or religious requirements.
• Decide if the body will be buried or cremated (if not specified in the will).
• Decide if you wish for a viewing of the body.
• Choose a location.
• Select a day and time for the service (the average is a week to 10 days after death but doesn’t have to be this fast).
• Notify friends and family of the date, time, and location of the funeral.
• Choose a coffin, casket or urn. The funeral director will provide you with a range of options to choose from or you can provide your own.
• Choose a celebrant to lead the funeral service. If you are using a funeral provider, they will usually have preferred celebrants they work with, however you are free to find your own celebrant. A good celebrant will meet with you and help you plan the service, select appropriate music, and eulogy readings.
• Choose the people you wish to deliver any readings or eulogies. Your celebrant can help you choose the most appropriate people and guide them.
• Select videos, images and/or music to include in the service.
• Choose if you wish to receive floral tributes or donations in lieu of flowers to a specific charity.