A recent study into prepaid funeral plans found more than half of Australians (53%) intend to prepay for their funeral, according to finder.com.au. It’s a tough reality of life that one day each of us will slip from this mortal coil, so it makes sense to plan ahead.
The average price of a funeral is around $7,499 according to finder.com.au, but often funerals can cost upwards of $10,000 depending on the location of the service and any personalisation. The unfortunate reality is that many older Australians don’t have that kind of money in the bank when they die.
Additionally, funeral homes usually require payment upfront before the funeral service is arranged, leaving too many families scrambling to scrape the money together. Regardless if the death was expected or it was sudden, the price of a funeral often comes as a shock.
A study by Australian Seniors found 32% of families suffered financial hardship after paying for a loved one’s funeral. But paying in advance safeguards families from these expenses later on. Customers tell us that prepaying for their funeral gives them peace of mind that their family don’t have to worry about going into hardship when the time comes.
Those who do have the funds in the back often say they would rather it went to their kids and grandkids to enjoy, instead of lining the pockets of funeral directors. Read our article 19 ways to spend money saved pre-paying your funeral, here.
Prepaid funeral plans can be incredibly empowering
If you’re going to leave the funeral planning to the living after your death, you may not get the funeral you envisaged. Prepaid funeral plans can be incredibly empowering. They allow you to call the shots and plan the send-off you want, even when you’re no longer here.
Prearranging your funeral can remove some of the emotional pressures from your loved ones who will be making arrangements at a time of immense grief.
Prepaying your funeral gives you the freedom to choose a befitting ceremony that truly reflects your life. Whether you prefer a religious church ceremony or a unique celebration of life, consider a prepaid direct cremation with Bare. You can also have a simple get-together, like a casual barbecue in a park or backyard, or scatter the ashes at a favorite fishing spot. We respect that people have different preferences, and we're here to help you create a meaningful and unique farewell experience.
Give our prepaid concierge team a call on 1800 202 901 to learn more about our prepaid cremations.
What’s the point of a prepaid funeral plan?
Prepaid funeral plans are a simple way to pay for basic funeral services in advance and alleviate some of the financial and decision-making stress on loved ones when the time comes.
If you think funerals are expensive now, think about what they might be like in 10 or 20 years – or even longer! The main advantage of a prepaid arrangement is to avoid price rises over the years by locking in today's prices. The cost of your prepaid funeral plan is calculated at today’s price and doesn’t increase over time.
For peace of mind, each of our customers' money is held in a trust in their name with Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society (regulated by APRA and ASIC). That money is invested specifically to cover the cost of the funeral service and is safely held until it is needed.
It’s cheaper than you think
Unlike funeral insurance, a prepaid funeral plan means there is nothing more to pay once the plan is paid off. Prepaying also pays for what you want, not expensive add-ons that funeral directors usually try to up-sell.
At Bare, you can either prepay one lump sum upfront, or monthly instalments over two years. A Bare prepaid funeral plan allows you to finance your send-off with instalment amounts that are comfortable for your budget and won’t break the bank.
*The average price of a Bare prepaid cremation is around $3,300 paid upfront, or by instalments of around $145 a month for two years. Please note that our prices vary depending on the location, as some regions have higher operating costs and government fees.
To find out more or request a free quote, head to the Bare website here or call 1800 202 901.
How do I arrange a prepaid funeral plan?
To arrange a prepaid funeral plan with us, simply head to the Bare website, here.
Enter your details and select your payment frequency – up-front or monthly – and you will receive an itemised quote.
Then all you need to do is enter your payment details and your prepaid funeral plan will be all set. It’s that simple!
After setting up a prepaid funeral plan with us, you'll receive a welcome call from our prepaid concierge team to check in and see if you have any questions about our service.
If you aren’t too great with computers, you are not alone! Just give our helpful prepaid concierge team a call on 1800 202 901 and they would be happy to either set you up over the phone, or mail out some paperwork for you to fill out and send back. We are here to support you.
Store your contract in a safe place (we recommend with your will or other important documents). When the time comes, your next of kin or family member just needs to give us a call and we will take care of the rest.
'I’ll just have my kids call Bare when the time comes'
If you don't want to set up a pre-paid plan, it's a good idea to advise your next of kin to get in touch with us when the time comes.
Leaving detailed instructions about how you want to be celebrated will help to take some of the stress off your loved ones when it comes to arranging your funeral or memorial later on.
You can specify Bare as your preferred provider by leaving funeral instructions to have your family call us when the time comes. If you are thinking about making a Will, you can make one with our free online Will kit here. If you are yet to make a Will or Advance Care Directive, leaving funeral instructions in these documents can help guide those who will be making those decisions later on.
You can also make your funeral plans known by writing out a funeral instructions document and store it with your Will or important documents. We’ve created a simple funeral instructions template here, which you can copy and fill out.
Bare prepaid funeral plans reviews
At Bare, we pride ourselves on our attention to customer service. We have achieved more than 2,000 five-star reviews, which we believe to be more than any other Australian funeral home.
You can read some of our prepaid funeral plans reviews here.
Prepay your funeral today and get back to spending your time (and money) on living! To get a quote for a prepaid cremation, visit the Bare website or call us on 1800 202 901.
*This is the average national price of a Bare pre-paid cremation, paid up-front, correct at February 2024. Please note that prices vary depending on location and are subject to increase over time, however once a pre-paid plan is locked in, it will remain that price for the duration of the instalment plan. For an accurate quote and cost breakdown for your location, please visit our website.
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