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Planning • 2 min read

Funeral costs vs the cost of Funeral Insurance

Not sure about the cost of Funeral Insurance compared to the cost of a funeral? We've broken down the costs for you.

The cost of a funeral comes as a surprise to many people. It’s not until we ring around for quotes or the bills come in, that we often find out just how expensive a funeral can be. Luckily, the shock of funeral costs can be greatly reduced with a simple funeral insurance policy.

At Insuranceline, we make Funeral Insurance easier for you. Organise funeral insurance with us (it takes just a few minutes) and we'll do our best to make sure you’ll never need to think about it again.

How much does a funeral cost?

According to ASIC’s MoneySmart website, funerals can cost anywhere from $4,000 for something simple to $15,000 for something fancier. Costs are estimates only and vary depending on the state, and the services and features chosen.

Costs are generally made up of the following:

  • Funeral director—also known as an undertaker, or mortician. Funeral directors organise the event and source suppliers such as florists and the organist. Their fees can vary a lot so it's a good idea to ring around and get quotes.
  • Transport—fees depend on the distance and vehicle.
  • Coffin or urn—coffins range in price from a couple of hundred dollars (eco recycled cardboard) to hundreds of dollars (basic timber) to thousands for a top-of-the-line casket. Urns are generally not as expensive unless they are customised or made from an expensive material. You might like to supply your own container for ashes.
  • Burial site—these vary from simple plots to mausoleums and burial vaults. Check out the cost in your chosen resting place, especially if it’s in a city as graves can be pricey in cemeteries short on space.
  • Burial—the cost depends on whether you have already paid for a burial plot. There is generally an opening fee over and above the cost of the grave.
  • Cremation Fees
  • Other expenses, such as a celebrant or clergy, flowers, newspaper notices, death certificates, and costs associated with the wake can also be incurred.

Find out more about pre-paid funerals, funeral plans, and funeral bonds.

Get an online quote or give us a call on 13 77 87 to talk to our friendly staff.

 

Important information

Cover under the Funeral Insurance Benefit is for Accidental Death only for the first 12 months of cover, including for any increases. Accidental Death has a special meaning in the PDS and some causes of death are excluded during this time—please refer to the PDS or call us for further details. After the first 12 months, the Funeral Insurance Benefit provides cover for all causes of death.

Backed by TAL

^Insuranceline Win 1 of 5 $1000 Visa Cards (Competition). Subject to the Terms and Conditions, the Promotor is offering customers a chance to win one of five Digital Visa Gift Cards valued at $1,000, in one of the four draws. Entry commences on the 1st of April 2024 and will run for four months until 11:59pm AEST on the 31st of July 2024 (Entry Period). During the Entry Period, to be eligible to participate in the Competition, customers must get a quote and take out a new Insuranceline Life Insurance, Income Protection Insurance, or Funeral Insurance policy to enter the Competition. A maximum of one (1) entry into the Competition will be awarded per eligible policy. The Promotion is not open to existing customers, or customers who have cancelled a Promoter branded policy in the 12 months prior to the commencement of the Entry Period and then taken out a new Insuranceline branded policy. Each of the four Prize Draws will take place at Level 16, 1 Denison Street, North Sydney NSW 2060 on the respective Prize Draw and Time, as listed in the table in Condition 13 (and if any Redraws if there are any unclaimed prizes, Condition 19) of the full Terms and Conditions, and the winners will be sent an email and will be attempted to be notified via phone within two (2) business days of the Draw and published on https://www.insuranceline.com.au/campaigns/competition-terms. Max. retail value of the total prize pool is $20,000. To be eligible at time of the draw, customers must still have an active policy and have paid 1 month of premiums in full. View eligibility criteria and full terms and conditions here. Promoter: TAL Direct Pty Limited ABN 39 084 666 017 AFSL 243260. Permits: NSW NTP/09255, ACT TP24/00483, & SA Licence No. T24/388.

**Bonus 10% more cover is calculated on the fifth anniversary from the Policy Commencement Date. Each adult life insured will have an extra 10% of the average Funeral Insurance Cover amount held during the previous five years added to their Funeral Insurance benefit. Terms and conditions apply. Refer to the PDS for more information.

#Claims paid figures relate to all Insuranceline life insurance policies in the 2021 financial reporting year (1 April2021 to 31 March 2022). All claims on Insuranceline policies are assessed against the relevant policy terms and conditions. These terms and conditions, as well an explanation of the claims process, can be found in the applicable Product Disclosure Statement. Claims are administered and settled by the insurer, TAL Life Limited.

***Insuranceline is the longest standing provider of Funeral Insurance in Australia, based on: Strategic Insight, Actuaries & Researchers. Funeral Insurance means a policy with periodic premium payments that provides a lump sum to help pay for funeral and associated expenses when you die and excludes pre-paid Funeral Plans and Funeral Bonds.

The information provided on this website is general advice only which means it does not take into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. For this reason, you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, and before you decide to buy or to continue to hold an insurance product, you must read the relevant Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Financial Services Guide (FSG). The PDS/FSG contains important information which will help you understand the product, including what's covered and what's not covered and to decide whether it is appropriate for you. The Target Market Determination (TMD) for the relevant product, where applicable, is also available.

If you are considering cancelling a policy you already hold in order to replace it with a new policy, make sure you read the terms and conditions of both policies before you make a decision. The cover terms may be different, you may lose benefits accrued under your existing policy, and waiting periods may apply to the new policy. Changes in your personal circumstances (such as your age, health, and employment) that have occurred since your existing policy was originally taken out may also affect your new policy. As your application for a new policy may not be accepted, and some policies may be unable to be reinstated after they have been cancelled, you should consider waiting until your new policy is confirmed before you cancel any existing cover.

Promoted by Insuranceline, a trading name of TAL Direct Pty Limited (of Level 16, 363 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000) ABN 39 084 666 017 AFSL 243260. TAL Life Limited ABN 70 050 109 450 AFSL 237848 issues the life insurance benefits. St Andrew's Insurance (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 89 075 044 656 AFSL 239649 issues the Involuntary Unemployment Cover.

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