Probably the first thing that comes to mind for someone who is considering planning a funeral service in advance, is the physical cost of a funeral.

Or it may be that you are in the unfortunate circumstance of having to organise the funeral arrangements for someone you have recently lost.

In both situations it can be a particularly difficult task to take on.

Funeral Directors typically have two kinds of clients, those who have pre-arranged and prepaid their funeral to their exact requirements and those who have a current need to arrange a funeral for the person they have lost.

Most likely, the initial grieving process would be easier to cope with if everyone were to pre-arrange and prepay his or her own funeral.

As a result, friends and family could focus more on healing from the loss of the person they loved and be assured that the service is exactly as the deceased wanted it.

Not having to work out how a loved one would like their funeral service as well as the financial means to provide it, is almost like a gift bestowed on the people left behind.

Yes, a major consideration is financial. Often money becomes an unnecessary struggle when defining the funeral requirements and associated costs. At a time when the family should be supporting one another emotionally – the shared cost of a funeral within a family could cause disharmony.

We would all like to believe that our funeral would be a reflective and warm event celebrating our time on earth. Although quite often, a funeral represents an unexpected and abrupt end to someone’s life.

In both circumstances there is a considerable amount of grief and during this time the family has to come to grips with arranging the funeral if it has not already been planned, paid and organised by the deceased.

What type of person might want a prepaid funeral? Basically anyone who is certain of how they would like to organise their farewell to family and friends. Some call it the “last word” – and in contrast to popular belief, many have chosen to make their funeral a rejoicing and positive reflection of their life – not a somber and morbid occasion.

So, control over one’s funeral isn’t necessarily about the tactical elements that combine to make a funeral service. But instead the refreshingly wonderful way a person can make an impact beyond their physical existence to provide more than just a memory of when they were around – but also a memory of how they said “so long”.

In essence a prepaid funeral becomes more than just arranging the features and costs – it becomes an agreement understood and agreed to with a chosen Funeral Director who has your interests at heart.

When determining the physical cost of a funeral, various factors need to be considered.

For instance, whether to choose a cremation or burial can be one of the hardest decisions to make. In most instances a cremation will cost less than a burial. However, the cost of cremation can equal or surpass that of a burial depending on the cost other arrangements that you wish to have form part of the ceremony.

Factors such as whether the service is in held in the country or city, or whether a coffin or casket is selected can also affect the cost of a funeral.

Aspects to consider with your chosen Funeral Director might include

• Type of interment (burial, requiring a casket or coffin) or internment
  (cremation, requiring an urn)
• Clergy or celebrant to perform the service
• Any religious requirements
• Music selection: Organist, musician or pre-recorded music
• The clothing of the deceased
• Decide on open or closed casket and the number of viewings
• Flower arrangements
• Display of significant items at the funeral home
• Press notices
• Memorial cards and leaflets
• Registration of a death certificate
• Memorial gifts
• Transfer costs
• Car transfer for family and friends to and from the church or the burial plot
• Refreshments or service in the Funeral Home itself
• Document the event for those who cannot attend and/or for a remembrance

The cost of funerals can vary and are determined directly by the extent of the arrangements requested by the family. In the case of a pre-paid funeral you are able to determine your requirements directly with a Funeral Director that can advise you on the various options available.

In planning your funeral requirements, you may also consider a Travel Protection Plan. A benefit is payable if death occurs while travelling in Australia more than 70kms away from your funeral home and the client’s normal place of residence is within 70kms of your funeral home. The fund also requires that you had not been holidaying or living away from your normal place of residence for a total of two or more months in the preceding twelve months (excluding any period in hospital).

A pre-paid funeral is where you choose a Funeral Director, determine your requirements agree on cost and enter into a formal agreement with this Funeral Director by paying for your funeral in advance. As an alternative, you can also invest in a funeral bond to a maximum of $11,750, which can contribute towards the cost of a funeral.