As I get closer to my use by date, I have been researching Will kits Funerals and such and I noticed that Choice hasn’t revised the Funeral or Will Kit site for some time, like 2019-2020. I just want information on straightforward Cremation with close family in attendance, no frills no fuss and no huge expense. Is it possible for Choice to cover this topic for 2026?
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and
may be helpful.
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I have gone through this a few times with respect to relatives for whom I was their Executor.
Go and talk to a few funeral directors and find out what they have to offer and their charges. Remember you can also take out as Funeral Bond. At present that can be up to $15,500 (approx) and even if you are a pensioner Centrelink won’t count that money as an asset that will be included in calculating your benefits. When you die the Money is paid to the Funeral Director to cover expenses but the Funeral Director should provide you with an itemised list of costs and anything left over goes to your Estate.
I don’t believe in saying what I want for my funeral. I’ll be dead and won’t care and in any case funerals are for the living to grieve and not for the dead.
I would also suggest you have your Will drawn up by a good Solicitor so you know it’s done properly and all of the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed. It’s not that expensive if it’s straight forward. If it’s not done properly it’s easier for someone to challenge your Estate.
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We plan on having direct cremation. Straight to the crematorium, no ceremony etc. Our boys can collect the ashes and organise their own memorial service as, where and when they choose as there is a lot of distance between each one. This way, they can work out a date that suits all of them and not have to try and organise something at short notice for a funeral service.
My FIL didn’t have a service, all he’d paid for was the coffin and the cremation and simply the plaque to go over the niche at the crematorium since the niche was a double one bought decades ago for himself and his then wife.
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My mother died recently - she was 102 and was very clear about her wishes. She wanted to be cremated in a cardboard box and that is what we did. I contacted two cremation companies and settled on one called Light Cremations here in Melbourne. They were very efficient and responsive and the cost was a fixed $1,899, $1,000 less than the other company’s quote. I have no complaints about this service.
For reference the cost to cremate a large (41kg+) dog in Melbourne is around $750.
Mum did not want a funeral so we will be holding a memorial afternoon tea for her in the near future.
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I am in the unfortunate position of not only passing my Best Before date but my Use By date is looming due to an incurable illness. As a result I am having to scramble and get my affairs in order within a somewhat truncated timeframe. This experience has taught me that we should all take a good look at our affairs, particularly those with family. Picking up the pieces is a horrendous task for those left behind but can be made easier with a bit of forethought.
Like many families, there are things that I know which my spouse does not in terms of daily bills, accounts, banking etc., and it’s important that both partners are versed in each other’s allocation of tasks and knowledge. Even if one of you just gets temporarily incapacitated, it really helps if everyone knows what to do.
Whatever you do, make sure you have a Will, a Medical Power of Attorney and an Advance Care Directive! Your survivors will really find it hard going if you haven’t done your homework!
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