This Simple $30 Bunnings Hack Is Saving Funeral Consumers Hundreds (And It’s Totally Legal)

Why spend $300 on an urn when you can make one for under $30 — and give it more meaning?

As the cost of dying continues to climb, Australians are turning to a new kind of farewell hack — and once again, Bunnings is playing an unexpected role in the funeral revolution.

Forget the overpriced urns in funeral marketplaces. A growing number of Aussies are opting for simple, beautiful, handcrafted cremation urns made from Bunnings buys — and the savings are staggering.

The Cremation Urn Markup Problem

Most people don’t realise it until it’s too late: cremation urns sold through marketplaces often come with steep markups, ranging anywhere from $250 to over $1,000.

But what’s inside the urn matters far more than what it costs — and everyday Australians are pushing back.

One customer told us that they couldn’t believe the price of a basic metal urn. So they went to Bunnings, bought a timber planter box for $28, sealed it themselves, and engraved their Dad’s name on it. It was perfect — and personal.

The $30 Bunnings Urn Hack: How It Works

Using materials from your local hardware store — including timber boxes, ceramic pots, stainless steel canisters, or even decorative vases — families are creating heartfelt urns for under $30. All it takes is:

A sealed or sealable container
A bit of craftsmanship or creativity
And permission from no one

Not only is it a legally acceptable option, it’s becoming a symbol of the funeral revolution movement: practical, resourceful, and deeply personal.

Yes, It’s Legal — and It’s Yours to Choose

Cremation laws in Australia are surprisingly flexible. While ashes must be stored or scattered respectfully, you’re not required to buy an urn from a funeral director — and you’re free to choose (or make) a container that suits your loved one’s personality, hobbies, or heritage.

“One family used a vintage cookie tin for their Nan’s ashes,” says a spokesperson from FuneralSmart.

“It reminded them of her baking. That’s the kind of tribute no expensive urn can match.”

More Than Savings — It’s a Farewell Revolution

At its core, this isn’t just a Bunnings hack. It’s part of a wider shift.

Australians are rethinking what funerals — and memorials — should look like. Instead of overpriced products and pressure sales, families want freedom, simplicity, and meaning. And they’re turning to platforms like FuneralSmart to find transparent, affordable options.

How to Do It Yourself: Smart, Simple, Sentimental

Thinking of creating your own urn? Here’s how to get started:

Visit Bunnings or your local hardware store – Look at decorative boxes, pots, or timber containers.
Choose something sealable – It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just functional and heartfelt.
Make it personal – Paint it, engrave it, decorate it. Make it yours.
Store or scatter respectfully – You have full rights to keep the ashes at home or scatter them in a meaningful place (just check council rules for public land).

Cutting Through the Cost of Death

At FuneralSmart, we believe funerals — and what comes after — should be about love, not luxury.

From budget-friendly direct cremations to DIY memorials and cremation urns that cost under $30, we help Aussies plan smart, save big, and honour life on their own terms.

Want to save on funeral costs?

Start planning the smart way at funeralsmart.com.au