
🧠 Top 50 Funeral FAQs in Australia
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INDEX: Top 50 Funeral FAQs
🔷 A. What to Do When Someone Dies
- What do I do when someone dies in Australia?
- How do I organise a funeral in Australia?
- What paperwork is needed after a death?
- Who issues the death certificate?
- What happens if someone dies overseas?
🔷 B. Funeral Costs & Planning Ahead
- How much does a funeral cost in Australia?
- Can I pre-plan my funeral?
- Who pays for a funeral?
- Are funeral costs tax deductible in Australia?
- What is a prepaid funeral?
- Are funeral plans safe?
- Can funeral plans be cancelled?
- Where can I compare funeral quotes easily?
🔷 C. Burial vs Cremation
- What’s the difference between a coffin and a casket?
- Is cremation cheaper than burial?
- What happens to ashes after cremation?
- Can I scatter ashes anywhere?
- What does a cremation service include?
- Do I need a permit for cremation?
- Is embalming required?
🔷 D. Funeral Services & Options
- What is a direct cremation?
- What’s included in a basic funeral package?
- Can I arrange a funeral without a funeral director?
- What does a funeral director do?
- What is a memorial service?
- Can I have a funeral at home?
- Can I livestream a funeral?
- What is a committal service?
🔷 E. Legal & Financial Help
- Are there government assistance options for funerals?
- What is funeral insurance?
- Can I prepay for someone else’s funeral?
🔷 F. Funeral Products & Personalisation
- Can I choose a coffin from a third party?
- What flowers are appropriate?
- What music is appropriate for funerals?
- Can I view the body before cremation?
- What is a viewing?
🔷 G. Funeral Ceremony & Customs
- What is a wake?
- What is a eulogy?
- Can children attend funerals?
- What is a green or eco-friendly funeral?
🔷 H. Death Notices & Memorials
- What are digital death notices?
- Can I donate my body to science?
- How long after death is the funeral?
🔷 I. Pre-Planning Tools & Guidance
- Can I write my own funeral plan?
- How do I talk to family about planning ahead?
🔷 J. Funeral Locations & National Coverage
- How do I organise a funeral interstate?
- Do I have to use a local funeral home?
- Are prices regulated in Australia?
🔷 K. Timeframes & Practicalities
- How long does a funeral take to plan?
- What are my rights when planning a funeral?

A. What to Do When Someone Dies
1. What do I do when someone dies in Australia?
Notify a doctor or emergency services, then contact a funeral provider or begin planning online with FuneralSmart.
2. How do I organise a funeral in Australia?
Choose burial or cremation, find a funeral director, and arrange the ceremony.
3. What paperwork is needed after a death?
You need to register the death and obtain a death certificate from your state registry.
4. Who issues the death certificate?
Your state or territory’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
5. What happens if someone dies overseas?
Contact DFAT or the nearest Australian embassy. Repatriation and documentation will be required.
B. Funeral Costs & Planning Ahead
6. How much does a funeral cost in Australia?
Prices range from $4,000 to $15,000 depending on location and service type.
7. Can I pre-plan my funeral?
Yes — planning ahead helps your family and secures your wishes.
8. Who pays for a funeral?
Usually the estate or next of kin. Assistance may be available.
9. Are funeral costs tax deductible in Australia?
No, funeral costs are generally not tax deductible for individuals.
10. What is a prepaid funeral?
A funeral paid in advance to lock in today’s prices and services.
11. Are funeral plans safe?
Yes, when held in trust or secured by a registered funeral bond.
12. Can funeral plans be cancelled?
Most allow cancellation within a cooling-off period. Terms vary.
13. Where can I compare funeral quotes easily?
FuneralSmart offers a free, pressure-free comparison tool.
C. Burial vs Cremation
14. What’s the difference between a coffin and a casket?
Coffins are tapered; caskets are rectangular with hinged lids.
15. Is cremation cheaper than burial?
Yes, cremation is typically more affordable and flexible.
16. What happens to ashes after cremation?
Ashes can be kept, buried, scattered, or turned into keepsakes.
17. Can I scatter ashes anywhere?
You can in many places, but public areas may require approval.
18. What does a cremation service include?
Transfer, coffin, cremation process, paperwork, and ashes return.
19. Do I need a permit for cremation?
Yes. A permit is required and usually handled by the funeral director.
20. Is embalming required?
Not usually, unless transporting the body or delaying the funeral.
D. Funeral Services & Options
21. What is a direct cremation?
A no-service cremation without ceremony, viewing, or mourners.
22. What’s included in a basic funeral package?
Transport, a simple coffin, cremation or burial, and basic documentation.
23. Can I arrange a funeral without a funeral director?
Yes, but it’s complex. FuneralSmart offers support and guidance.
24. What does a funeral director do?
They manage care of the deceased, legal paperwork, and the ceremony.
25. What is a memorial service?
A gathering held without the body, before or after burial/cremation.
26. Can I have a funeral at home?
Yes. Home funerals are legal in most Australian states.
27. Can I livestream a funeral?
Yes, most providers offer video and streaming services.
28. What is a committal service?
A short ceremony at the graveside or crematorium during interment.
E. Legal & Financial Help
29. Are there government assistance options for funerals?
Yes. Centrelink, DVA, and some state governments offer help.
30. What is funeral insurance?
A policy that pays a set amount upon death for funeral expenses.
31. Can I prepay for someone else’s funeral?
Yes, you can legally purchase a prepaid funeral for another person.
F. Funeral Products & Personalisation
32. Can I choose a coffin from a third party?
Yes, you’re not required to buy one from your funeral provider.
33. What flowers are appropriate?
Any that are meaningful — lilies, natives, or the deceased’s favourites.
34. What music is appropriate for funerals?
Anything personal — from hymns to favourite contemporary songs.
35. Can I view the body before cremation?
Yes, with prior arrangement for a viewing or farewell.
36. What is a viewing?
A time for family and friends to see and say goodbye to the deceased.
G. Funeral Ceremony & Customs
37. What is a wake?
A social gathering after the funeral to remember the person who died.
38. What is a eulogy?
A tribute speech delivered at a funeral or memorial.
39. Can children attend funerals?
Yes, and it can be a healthy way to include them in grief.
40. What is a green or eco-friendly funeral?
A service using biodegradable products and minimal environmental impact.
H. Death Notices & Memorials
41. What are digital death notices?
Online announcements posted on sites like eziFunerals.
42. Can I donate my body to science?
Yes, register in advance with a medical or university program.
43. How long after death is the funeral?
Usually within 3 to 7 days, depending on arrangements.
I. Pre-Planning Tools & Guidance
44. Can I write my own funeral plan?
Yes — use FuneralSmart’s free planning tool.
45. How do I talk to family about planning ahead?
Be honest, clear, and use tools like checklists to support the conversation.
J. Funeral Locations & National Coverage
46. How do I organise a funeral interstate?
FuneralSmart helps you compare providers across Australia.
47. Do I have to use a local funeral home?
No. You’re free to choose any provider that meets your needs.
48. Are prices regulated in Australia?
No — funeral pricing is not regulated, so comparing quotes is essential.
K. Timeframes & Practicalities
49. How long does a funeral take to plan?
Most funerals are arranged within a week of death.
50. What are my rights when planning a funeral?
You have the right to itemised pricing, a written quote, and to shop around.

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