Direct Cremations? Comparing apples & oranges!

Recently, a person on Facebook helpfully pointed out that some other funeral providers offer a No-Service Cremation package ("Direct Cremation") at prices lower than ours. Our Direct Cremation package is $2,750. It's not hard to find budget funeral companies offering direct cremations at prices anywhere between $1,150 and $1,999. Those prices sound amazing. Since our package costs a little more, it was thought that our competitors are offering a better deal. But we're not really comparing the same thing. It's a bit like comparing apples with oranges. They are both fruit, and both a similiar size . . . but they're not the same!

Our No-Service Cremation package has inclusions that many of our competitors don't have. While it's hard to be specific about every budget funeral company, some key differences present themselves:

(1) Our package price includes a face-to-face meeting with one of our funeral professionals to complete the necessary documentation, whereas most low-cost cremation packages don't offer that. Filling out paperwork and online forms isn't everyone's cup of tea. And at a time when you might be feeling distressed, it's handy to have a professional come to your door and help you.

(2) Our price includes a free option to have a viewing. Some of our competitors charge up to $1,500 for that. We find that some families want to have a brief viewing to say a final goodbye to their loved one. It's not for everyone, but if you're not planning on having a formal funeral, some people find that helpful. That's included.

(3) All the transportation of the deceased (except long-distance transfers) is done personally by our own dedicated transfer team, whereas some lower-cost providers may outsource this to a third party. When we say we're going to take care of your loved one, we take care of them!

(4) Similarly, we provide full mortuary services to every person in our care, which means they 'take their final journey' (so to speak) looking clean and dignified. Very few low-budget cremation providers will offer significant mortuary care to those entrusted to them. We do our best to afford everyone the same high level of dignity and care.

(5) We provide our own onsite mortuary accommodation in our secure, modern facility. Some funeral service providers house the deceased in an offsite facility. Again, when we say we care for your loved one, we are the ones who do it and we are responsible. You know where your loved one is at all times.

(6) Some budget direct cremation providers expect you to pay upfront for using their services. We never expect upfront payments, and will only send a 30-day invoice to you after the cremation is complete.

(7) Some cheap advertised Direct Cremation prices do not include you receiving a QLD death certificate. Our package includes one original Death Certificate to use for settling the estate of the deceased. We also provide 4 certified copies of the original certificate in case you need them.

So there are 7 important differences between our No-Service Cremation Package and many of our cheap competitors. It's a bit like comparing apples with oranges! For a competitive price we offer more inclusions and a high level of personalised care at every step of the process. We're proud of the services we offer, and think you'll find they represent excellent value for money. Please call us on 07 3544 6880 any time if you'd like to know more!