Quick answer
A basic funeral package typically covers the essentials: collection and care of the person who has died, a simple coffin, cremation or burial, and the required paperwork, usually without an elaborate service.
A premium package adds things like a higher-end coffin, a larger venue, additional vehicles, printed materials, and more service inclusions. The core legal and practical requirements are the same either way, the difference is mostly in presentation, materials and extras, not in what's legally necessary.
When comparing packages, remember
- Basic and premium packages cover the same legal essentials
- Premium mostly adds materials, presentation and extras, not necessity
- The coffin is often the single biggest cost difference between tiers
- You can usually mix and match rather than accepting a fixed package
- Ask for an itemised breakdown of any package before agreeing to it
What a basic package usually includes
Basic packages are built around what's actually required to arrange a funeral, without additional extras. This typically includes:
- Collection and care of the person who has died
- A basic coffin
- Cremation or burial fee
- Required permits and paperwork
- Minimal or no formal service
What a premium package usually adds
Premium packages build on the same base, adding presentation and service elements rather than anything legally necessary:
- A higher-end coffin, often solid timber rather than a basic finish
- A larger or more formal venue
- Additional vehicles for family and flowers
- Printed order of service booklets
- More elaborate floral arrangements or catering
Where the extra cost actually goes
The coffin is usually the biggest single difference between a basic and premium package. A basic coffin might cost a few hundred dollars, while a solid timber or higher-end option can run into the thousands. Venue hire, catering and additional vehicles also add up, but the coffin upgrade alone often accounts for a large share of the price gap between tiers. None of these upgrades are legally required, they're about presentation and personal preference.
Is premium worth it?
That depends entirely on what matters to your family. Some families feel that a more elaborate service or a particular coffin is an important way to honour the person who has died. Others feel just as strongly that a simple, dignified service is exactly right, and prefer to direct the money elsewhere. Neither choice reflects the level of care involved, the legal and practical essentials are identical either way.
Compare
Build your own package instead
- Ask the funeral home for pricing on individual items, not just preset packages
- Choose the coffin separately from the service, since it's often the biggest cost lever
- Decide which extras genuinely matter to your family, and skip the rest
- Ask whether you can supply your own coffin, most funeral homes will accept this
- Get an itemised quote regardless of which package you're considering
Sources used in this guide include
MoneySmart and the ACCC.
