Cremation is often more affordable and gives families more ways to remember the deceased. While burials are the more traditional choice, they're typically more expensive.
Direct cremation is the least expensive way to bury your loves one. It is done respectfully, and gives your and your family time to find the most personal and affordable burial option.
Cremation of a body can be done with or without clothing. Typically, if there has been a traditional funeral (with the body) present, the deceased will be cremated in whatever clothing they were wearing.
How much does cremation cost? Generally, cremation is cheaper than burial, and is estimated to cost between $3,108 to $7,187 in Australia, according to the Cost of Death Report. As well as costs, you should think about whether a cremation is the right service for your family.
A direct burial is the funeral director's least expensive burial option. The cost will range depending on the funeral home, but it is fair to say that a direct burial can be arranged for in the region of $1,200 to $1,600.
But, who pays for the funeral if there is no money in the estate or a funeral plan is not in place? If there aren't sufficient funds in the deceased's bank accounts or within the estate to pay for the funeral, and they did not have a funeral plan, then the family would normally cover the funeral costs.
The average cost of a funeral in Australia ranges from around $4,000 to $15,000 depending on whether you opt for a cremation or burial and how elaborate the ceremony is.
Bodily remains must be suitably enclosed in a coffin, container or receptacle for cremation. Remains can be collected within 2 working days of cremation. A right of interment and interment authorisation must be in place before cremated remains can be interred.
Do they cremate the coffin with the body? Yes, the coffin is also cremated. A deceased person is not safely placed within a crematory unless a coffin is used.
In NSW, you must use a casket or coffin for burial or cremation. However, you can apply for an exemption to be buried in a shroud on both religious and non-religious grounds. Learn more about shrouded burial in your options for after death.
The only parts of the body that are removed before cremation are artificial ones like a medical device or implant with a battery, silicone, pins, radiation pressurization, pacemakers, and large hip, knee, and shoulder replacements along with any external jewelry.
In most cases, cremated remains are odourless. They may have a slightly metallic odour or some people say they smell somewhat like incense in some cases. However, it is common for ashes to have no distinct smell. Nonetheless, they can take on the smell of the container or cremation urn they are in.
Only one body can be cremated at once, and all cremated remains must be cleared from the cremation chamber before another cremation can begin. These standards do mean that you may have little input into any 'customization' of a cremation process.
A casket is not required for cremation by California law, but a combustible cremation container, also known as an alternative container, is. The container must be one that can be closed and is leak-resistant.
While some families may still choose a casket as the cremation container, you absolutely do not have to. If you do not wish to purchase a casket, the crematory will offer you an alternative container.
Are coffins sold back to the funeral director for re-use? No. The coffin and the body inside are cremated together. There are occasions where the deceased or the family of the deceased has opted for using a cardboard coffin in which their loved one will be cremated.
Since all of the organic matter is burned away during cremation, this is why ashes can last (almost) forever - or at least for our entire lifetime. Bones are still DNA and scientists believe that DNA has survived for about one million years.
The process takes anywhere between three to four hours depending on the power of the retort and the mass of the body inserted. After this step is completed, the cremated bones will come out of the retort and then be processed.
When a family hasn't yet collected the cremation ashes of a loved one, funeral directors are expected to hold ashes for at least five years before disposing of them accordingly.
The Public Health Regulation 2022 (the Regulation) allows the burial of a deceased person on private land if the area of landholding is at least five hectares, and it has been approved by the local government authority.
What's really returned to you is the person's skeleton. Once you burn off all the water, soft tissue, organs, skin, hair, cremation container/casket, etc., what you're left with is bone. When complete, the bones are allowed to cool to a temperature that they can be handled and are placed into a processing machine.
The common misconception about cremation is that it is not possible to have a visitation, wake or more formal services. Visitations are not only allowed before a cremation; they are a popular and appropriate choice for many families.
Centrelink payments
Although Centrelink does not offer financial assistance with the funeral of a Centrelink recipient, they do provide a bereavement payment to eligible recipients that can be used by family to assist with paying for the funeral.
Using Superannuation and Life Insurance
This is one of the most common ways most families in Australia cover the relevant costs of burying their loved ones. Super funds let individuals nominate who their super is given to after death or is automatically ascribed to dependents/spouse.
The Australian federal government provides several payments to help when a loved one dies. The type and amount of the payment depend on individual circumstances. Australian citizens have access to the following Centrelink bereavement payments: Partner Allowance.