Frequently Asked Questions

What is Funeral Line Australia?
Funeral Line Australia is an independent information and referral service for the funeral industry.
We provide information on trends, costs, and services, so that families can make a balanced and informed decision when needing to source a funeral director.
As your independent representative, our job is to get you the best outcome achievable in meeting your needs.

Who are Funeral Line Australia affiliated with? Which Funeral Homes are they connected to?
Because we offer Funeral Director services to the public, we are affiliated in some way with all Funeral homes. However, we are not connected/owned or in partnership with any commercial funeral home. Thus the information provided to you is completely independent.

Which Funeral Directors are available through Funeral Line Australia?
Funeral Line Australia is totally independent, which means we can do business with all Funeral Directors in Australia.

Why did we decide to start up this type of business?
There is such a variance in costs between Funeral Directors/Operators in Australia and no regulatory body for the industry.
We saw an opportunity to offer a service that would benefit everyone.
The Funeral Directors find clients through us, who are looking for the services they offer AND our clients are assisted with help to find a funeral director who will suit their needs.

Where is this Service Available?
Funeral Line Australia’s service is unique. We started in Melbourne and as of January 2008 we now assist people Australia wide.

Is this an appropriate time to be worried about the costs of the Funeral Service?
Yes! It is important that the service you choose meets your budget. There are many Funeral Directors out there who offer an excellent and high quality service for a more conservative price. We will help you find one that is right for your family. Going into financial debt to pay for a funeral service can be very stressful for the family at a later time.

What does an average funeral cost?
The medium price of a funeral is between $4,500 - $5,500 for a Cremation Service and $6,500 - $7,500 for Burial Services.

Cremation Services can range from $3,500 - $9,000
Burial Services can range from $5,000 - $20,000+

Please advise our staff if costs will be an important consideration for our search criteria.

What kind of questions do you ask if I use your service?
We ask the same questions that a funeral director will need to know to be able to carry out a funeral service on your behalf including deceased details and next of kin details. All other questions are about the service you wish to have so that we can find a suitable director.

Why are burial plots so expensive?
In Victoria, our graves have been sold in perpetuity (for all time).

So this means, as the cemeteries fill up, there is more of a demand for families to purchase a burial plot, close to them, and where other members of family are. As with all business, demand allows for price increases and as the grounds will still need to be cared for in the future, the money needs to cover ongoing future maintenance.

In other states changes in the industry are being implemented to allow for graves in Inner City Cemeteries to be sold for a period of 25 – 40 years. We are not sure how this will affect the costs, however we suspect it will not bring prices down.

Do I have to have a viewing?
This is a personal choice - some people are unsure whether to have a viewing prior to a service or not, a viewing can help to say goodbye. If you are unsure about whether to have a viewing or not, speak to your director. They may be able to give you an indication on how your loved one will look and may be able to stay with you if you are worried about being overcome and feel you may need some one close by. Most people have indicated they were glad they had some “time” with their loved one prior to the service.

Should children attend a viewing or funeral service?
It is important to understand that children also grieve and need a time to say goodbye. Children can feel left out or confused when not included in such an emotional occasion of losing someone they love. It can be helpful to explain what happens at a funeral service or a viewing and then gauge the child’s reaction or level of understanding. Some children accept or adapt to the situation better than adults. This decision is personal to each individual family.

Will the Funeral cost more through Funeral Line Australia?
NO! If you are using our free referral service at the time of bereavement the price of the funeral contract will be the same as if you were to go to the funeral home directly.

Who pays Funeral Line Australia and how much?
Funeral Line Australia has an agreement with the funeral director to be paid a fee for referring a client onto their service. This fee is deducted from the Funeral Directors professional fees and is in no way added onto the funeral account – In some cases a funeral contract through Funeral Line Australia will be less than if you went to the funeral home direct!

What can I do if we cannot afford a funeral?
For families who cannot afford a funeral usually the state will provide a paupers funeral. This can be a burial or a cremation depending on many factors. These services may be private with no mourners present, or may include a simple service. Different states have different procedures.
Please contact us for further information.

What other services do you offer?

What can I do to help someone who is grieving?
People who are dealing with grief and loss need time to absorb what has happened, and need acceptance of their emotions for however long it takes for them to heal.
They need to be allowed to grieve in their own way.
Practical tasks such as cooking, cleaning, looking after children and running errands can be very helpful for the person who is bereaved.
Keep calling your friend, drop by every now and again, and just say hi. A 5-minute telephone call every few days to let them know you are thinking about them and that you are close by can be a huge support.
There can be a very lonely transitional period after the funeral has taken place and often the bereaved spend time on their own. It is not always necessary to talk, perhaps watching TV together or reading a book in the same room, is enough companionship. Of course if they feel like talking just lend an ear!

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