Funeral Pricing Code Review 2025

Providing funeral prices and other information (clause 2 (1) (a) - (f))

Funeral directors must provide the following funeral information to consumers:

• the price of each of the following funeral goods and services:
• the transport of the body prior to burial or cremation
• the storage of the body at a mortuary or holding room
• the hire of a refrigeration plate[1]
• each type of coffin, casket or shroud supplied 
  (or the price range of all coffins, caskets or shrouds supplied)[2]
• the care and preparation of the body prior to burial or cremation
• viewing of the body prior to burial or cremation
• the arrangement and conduct of a funeral service (including hire of the venue)
• the burial or cremation of the body
• the location of the mortuary or crematorium used by the funeral director
• the name of the owner or manager of a mortuary or crematorium if it is not owned or managed by the funeral director
• a reasonable estimate of the disbursements[3]
• The estimated price and list of the goods and services in a basic (least expensive) burial and cremation package
• How a body is transported prior to burial or cremation

Displaying funeral information (clause 2 (2))

• Funeral directors must prominently display information about their goods and services, including prices, at each place of business and on their website (if they have one). 
  Information must be easy to read and understand.

Providing funeral information upon request (clause 2 (3))

• Funeral directors must provide funeral information within two business days of a request or within another period agreed between the consumer and funeral director. 
  The information must be provided before entering into an agreement for the supply of goods and services.

Providing itemised fees before agreement: (clause 3)

• Before entering into an agreement, funeral directors must provide the consumer with a detailed breakdown (a quote) of all fees, including the cost of goods and services, disbursements, and the total cost of the funeral. 

[1] In previous consultation funeral directors commented that they do not use refrigeration plates in WA. As there is a possibility of funeral directors hiring refrigeration plates in the future, this item has been retained in the Funeral Pricing Code.

[2] If funeral directors do not provide certain goods and services, they are not required to publish this information.

[3] Disbursements are payments made to third parties on behalf of the family for services related to a funeral, such as cemetery fees, cremation costs, clergy/celebrant fees, and floral tributes. These costs are distinct from the funeral director's own fees, which cover the services they provide. All disbursements are charged at cost, with no additional markup and are included in the final funeral bill so that the family or estate does not have to manage multiple payments during an already difficult time.