The Cost of Cremation in Australia

The Cost of Cremation in Australia

Death is an event that affects us all at some point in our lives. When a loved one passes away, it can be a tragic time that fills us up with grief. This is why choosing how to keep and preserve your loved one’s body can help you feel more in control during a time of overwhelming sadness.  

When one dies, one can choose to be buried in the ground or at sea. But as time goes on, more and more Australians are choosing cremation. Of the 128,500 Australians who die each year, around 70% of those are choosing cremation — a number that is rising by 0.5% each year. In Victoria, more than 65% of people are choosing cremation each year.  

What is cremation? 

Cremation is a well-known and less expensive alternative to traditional burials in which the body is reduced to a fine powder by extreme heat. Unlike traditional burials, which require years for the body to decompose underground, cremation just takes a few hours.  

During cremation, the body is placed in a coffin or casket and then placed in a cremator. This procedure shrinks the body to a few bones. Following that, the residual fragments are ground into a powder usually referred to as “ashes” using a specialised processor. After that, the ashes are transferred to a temporary container or a family-provided urn. 

Types of cremation  

There are two main types of cremation options: direct cremation, and cremation with a service. 

Direct Cremation 

During a direct cremation, there is no formal service or ceremony involved. The family can then just hold a private gathering of their own choice after the cremation. 

With direct cremation, the deceased is collected, then transported to the crematorium for the actual cremation, and then taken back to be stored at their premises until the family decides what to do with the ashes. The cost of cremation without service varies depending on the state that you live in and it can vary between $2,000 to $8,000.  

Cremation with a Service 

In this case, there will be a service at either a chapel or another venue prior to or after the actual cremation. The costs will differ depending on what services are included in the package chosen. For example, if you want a service with a coffin provided, it may cost between $3,000 and $24,000, whereas a cardboard coffin might range from just over $2,000 to $6,000. You can also choose to have a memorial service without the presence of the body. In this case, an urn containing the ashes may be displayed at the service. 

Fees included in the cremation 

The cremation cost usually includes all the services needed to carry out a cremation, such as travel, removal, death registration, funeral director services, administration, transfer and care of remains and a basic cremation container (casket). The additional costs can include a death certificate ($69), a memorial book ($40) and flowers ($300). 

Here are some other fees included in the price of cremation: 

  • Cremation Fee: The fee for the use of a crematorium chapel for service, attendance at service by crematorium staff and the actual process of cremation, including collection and return of ashes after cooling. The cost varies depending on whether you choose a weekday or weekend and whether you require music. 
  • Doctor’s Fees: These can be anywhere between $150 to $300 depending on the type of doctor’s certificate required, whether they are local or interstate, whether they need to travel to where a person has passed away – particularly if in a hospital or aged care facility – or the person has passed away interstate. 
  • Funeral Home Fee: This covers administration, staff, and facilities 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Also included is attendance at the place of death (often in hospital) removal from residence or hospital (including any after-hours charges that may apply). 

Please know that these fees are not the same everywhere. They will differ from state to state. 

 
Is cremation cheaper than a burial? 

Cremation is more affordable than a burial in most cases. It also presents more options than the traditional funeral, which makes it highly appealing to many modern families. 

​​It’s important to know that the cost of cremation in Australia is not a fixed price. There are a number of different cremation costs that you need to consider. These vary depending on where you live and which crematorium you choose. For example, in Brisbane, the average cost of cremation is $4,600, while the average cost of cremation in Melbourne is closer to $5,000.  

Moreover, cremations in Victoria are government-regulated. They’re regulated by the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003, as amended by the Cemeteries and Crematoria Regulations 2015. Under this law, cremations must be done by government cemeteries, and so the cost of cremation in Victoria is more expensive because they’re from the government.  

As such, some people choose to engage in cremation services located in states outside of Victoria, which can be a cheaper option, but can turn out to be a logistical nightmare. You’ll need to consider that your loved ones ashes will be crossing borders and there may be untimely delays.  

Memorial plaques

Our Process in Cremation 

At Mornington Green, we understand that such a difficult time in people’s lives doesn’t need any more additional hassles. So, here’s our simple process: 

  1. We respect your choice. 

Whatever you decide or wish to do for your loved one, we will listen and support you on them. It’s your decision to make, including specifying the company of your choice for cremation services. It will be up to you.  

     2. Our partner funeral houses 

Our trusted partners for cremation services are Chapter House and Mornington Peninsula Funerals. We are confident that you are in excellent hands with these two funeral houses. At Chapter Houses, the standard cost of cremation is reduced if you choose to infuse those ashes into a Living Legacy Tree at Mornington Green. Please note that we do not take a commission or add any fees for customers who want to go through the cremation process with us, we’re here to help. 

   3. Introduction to our Partners 

If you choose to have a cremation through us, we will begin the process and introduce you to your funeral house of choice. During this process, we can assist you with any forms or information that needs to be submitted. Once you have organised your plans with the funeral house, we’ll liaise with the Funeral Director to ensure a smooth process for you. The next step after this is choosing a tree for the cremated ashes to be planted into.  

What are cremation ashes made from? 

Turn to a Tree and Be a Beautiful Memory 

Cremation gives people the chance to put their friends and family to rest in a dignified way without paying a lot for a traditional burial. If you want to remember your loved ones after cremation, Mornington Green gives you a wonderful and unique opportunity to do so.  

Do you have any questions? Contact us via our contact page or call us today on (03) 9059 4959 to find out more about cremation through Mornington Green. 

When one dies, one can choose to be buried in the ground or at sea. But as time goes on, more and more Australians are choosing cremation. Of the 128,500 Australians who die each year, around 70% of those are choosing cremation — a number that is rising by 0.5% each year.

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