Is It Important To Plan My Funeral In Australia?
Yes, it’s absolutely important to plan your funeral in Australia because traditional funerals can cost more than $30,000 and burden grieving families with many urgent decisions during their most vulnerable time. Planning ahead for example with A Living Legacy Tree at Wellington Dam costs from $2,000, saves your family $10,000-$25,000, and creates a living memorial that lasts 300-500+ years instead of a cemetery plot that may only last 25-30 years.
Have you ever thought about the tough choices your family will face when you’re gone? In Australia, planning a funeral isn’t just emotionally hard. It’s a big financial hit. The average funeral can cost anywhere from $4,000 to over $30,000, depending on the choice you made. This can really catch families off guard when they’re already grieving.
Think about it: from 2019 to 2023, funeral costs for people over 50 went up a lot. More than half of those surveyed had to use their savings to pay for a funeral. This often forces families to make quick, stressful decisions when they’re already hurting.
But what if you could ease that burden for them and make sure of your final wishes? That’s where planning your funeral ahead of time comes in. It gives you peace of mind and protects your family from both emotional stress and unexpected bills.
By making your choices now, you’re not only securing today’s prices and avoiding higher costs later, but you’re also giving your loved ones an incredible gift. They’ll focus on remembering you and healing, instead of struggling with difficult decisions and financial worries. It’s a loving act that truly helps them through their toughest time.
Is It Important To Plan My Funeral In Australia?
Yes it is important to plan my funeral in Australia! Without planning, your final arrangements in Australia could be a massive burden on your loved ones. Your body could end up in a $36,000 concrete vault, or as ashes that may not even be legally scattered on Australian soil. What if you could choose a more meaningful, eco-friendly option – like becoming part of a thriving forest?
Let’s talk frankly about death in Australia. It’s a necessary conversation, even if it’s uncomfortable. Standard burials can cost your family anywhere from $17,000 to $36,000. Even cremation, often seen as a simpler choice, still ranges from $13,800 to $22,700. These aren’t just arbitrary figures; they represent a significant financial strain on your family during their most vulnerable period.
Here’s a little-known fact for many Australians: In cities like Perth, memorials often have a lifespan of only 30 years. That expensive headstone you envision could be moved or removed after just three decades. That’s not a permanent tribute; it’s a costly, short-term arrangement.
Our major cities are grappling with a severe lack of burial space. Cemeteries in Melbourne and Sydney already occupy areas two to three times larger than their entire central business districts. We’re quite literally running out of ground to bury people. Contrast this with the Wellington Dam Legacy Forest, which offers Living Legacy memorial trees that can live for 300 to 500 years or more and reach impressive heights of 30 to 75 meters. Now that’s a legacy that truly endures.
What Are The Benefits Of Planning My Funeral in Australia?
Do planning funerals have benefits? Of course! Thinking about your funeral is scary, but planning it now can help your family when the tough time comes. Instead of a week filled with stress and difficult decisions, you get the chance to create a legacy and celebrate your life. Plus, there are benefits of planning your funeral that goes along with your plan! Especially the benefits of planning your funeral with A Living Legacy Tree as follows
- Save Money and Leave a Lasting Gift
Let’s talk about money. A Living Legacy Tree at Wellington Dam Living Legacy Forest costs around $2,000, and that includes everything. There are no hidden fees or ongoing charges. You can compare that to the average burial funeral in Australia, which can cost you around $19,000. By choosing Living Legacy Tree, you are saving a big amount of money, starting from $10,000 to $25,000! No more bills, just financial freedom for your loved ones. - Help the Planet, Even After You Are Gone
Living Legacy Trees offer you the best alternative choice not only to create a living memorial, but also to make an environmental impact. How’s that possible? A single cremation produces about 160kg of CO₂, which is like driving a car for 650 kilometers. Choosing a Living Legacy Tree means your choice is to remove carbon from the air. Plus 400 extra trees are planted and your departure will become an act of healing, not harming.
- A Permanent and Protected Place
You want your legacy to last, right? The Wellington Dam Living Legacy Forest offers true permanence. The forest has legal protection from the government registered on the property’s title, meaning it is protected by law with serious penalties for any breaches. The state government even has CCTV to monitor the endangered mainland Quokkas whose home the community of Living Legacy planters are helping to restore within the forest. This ensures your chosen place is protected for generations. - Connect and Remember
Instead of visiting a grave to mourn, your family can connect with your memory in a living memorial forest. They can visit your tree every year during opening hours. You are welcome to have a picnic or enjoy a peaceful walk among the trees too. What’s more? Multiple family member’s ashes can be added to the same tree over time, creating a Living Legacy family tree that grows with time. Â
What Is A Pre Planned Funeral?
A pre-planned funeral is about making your wishes known without having to pay anything right away. Think of it as writing down your preferences, like choosing your favorite songs or readings for a ceremony. Is it the same with pre-paying? Both are different in terms of legalities. Pre-paying involves signing a contract and putting money down, while pre-planning gets your wishes on paper.Â
When someone passes away, families often face the difficult task of making too much decisions in just a few days. This happens during a time of deep sadness and stress, which can lead to hurried choices, overspending, or even decisions that aren’t what the person would have wanted. Pre-planning changes all those important decisions from an emotional moment to a calm one. You get to decide how you want to be remembered.
At Wellington Dam, pre-planning your Living Legacy Tree means you get to:
- Choose your own native tree: You get to choose beautiful species like Jarrah, Blackbutt, Marri, Eucalyptus, and Bullich for your memorial tree.
- Select your perfect spot: Your memorial tree will stand tall and grow stronger within Living Legacy Forest.
- Design your ceremony: You can arrange a ceremony that not only honors your life but also celebrates the ecosystem you will contribute to.Â
- Get a unique ID: Your memorial tree will have a unique identification number attached to it.
Benefits Of Planning Your Funeral Ahead
Why is planning your funeral ahead a smart move? Because your family can grieve when the time comes, instead of being left to guess what you would have wanted. Planning your funeral can save you a lot of things: financial security, emotional relief, peace of mind, and many more. Here’s the big upsides of planning your funeral:
- Avoid Family Arguments and Stress: When your plans aren’t clear, your loved ones are left scrambling with your unspoken/unwritten wishes. This can lead to unnecessary arguments and stress during difficult times. If only your wishes are down on paper, you can prevent such conflict from happening to your family, instead of tearing them up.Â
- Guarantee Your (Unique) Legacy: Do you dream of a memorial that reflects who you are? Planning your funeral can make it happen. You can ensure your memorial is as unique as you are. You even have the option to plant your tree now and watch it grow, becoming a living part of your family’s story.
- Lock in Prices and Beat Inflation: Funeral costs tend to go up every year because of inflation. Many funeral homes offer programs where you can lock in today’s prices. With Living Legacy Trees, you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or inflation. You pay once, and that’s it.
- Peace and Comfort: For you, there is a comfort in knowing every detail is sorted and easy for your family to find. You can have peace of mind right now. For your family, knowing they are fulfilling your wishes brings a huge relief that can ease their burden. It allows them to honor you without any emotional load or stress in making decisions.
How Do I Plan My Funeral In Australia?
Are you ready to plan your funeral in Australia? It is a way that benefits your family and the environment. There are a few simple steps that you can follow. It starts with a conversation that can save your money up to $25,000 and help to grow a forest, here are the steps to plan your funeral in Australia:
- Step 1: Take a Tour of Wellington Dam: Have a tour with your family at Wellington Dam Legacy Forest. It’s a beautiful opportunity to wander among the trees and find the perfect spot for your Living Legacy Tree. To schedule your tour, you can contact Peta Bliston, our Chief Forest Officer at cfo@legacyforest.org.au or by calling 0427 096 944.
- Step 2: Choose your Special Tree and Place: You will choose from native tree species that can live for hundreds of years (300-500+) and grow tall (30-75 meters). These trees also provide protection for endangered Australian animals like Quokkas, Black Cockatoos, and Fairy Wrens. Your decision helps restore and preserve our precious natural habitats.
- Step 3: Every tree has an official identification number that marks its location in Australia. This important number goes into your will as it will avoid confusion or guesswork for your family when the time comes. They will know where your tree is located to ensure that your plan is clear and easy to follow.
- Step 4 Create Your Perfect Ceremony: You get to decide what kind of ceremony that honors you and your life. If you prefer quiet, private gathering or a large event, the Living Legacy Trees will help you arrange your ceremony and specific needs. This way, your funeral is exactly as you plan it, providing a heartfelt experience for everyone you love.
Do I Need To Pay For My Funeral At The Same Time As I Plan It?
Are you thinking about your funeral arrangements, but not ready to pay right now? You absolutely don’t have to! It is very important to understand that there’s a big difference between planning your funeral and pre-paying for it.
You can ensure your memorial at Wellington Dam is documented and planned for without any additional fees. This could help you from the financial burden that prevents people from planning your funeral in the future.
If you choose to pay in advance, you can take advantage of interest-free payment plans with a 20% deposit. And here’s the best part: unlike cemetery plots that demand maintenance fees, the forest you are helping to grow will flourish on its own. This means in 25 years, your family won’t face extra cost to maintain your tree.Â
In Australia, your pre-paid funeral funds are safe. Laws like the Funeral Funds Act 1979 (NSW) protect it from any outside claims. It’s your choice: a heavy burden or a lasting beauty? Traditional funerals often involve expensive concrete and steel. But a Living Legacy Tree creates a beautiful space for you and your family to visit, picnic, and make new memories.
At Wellington Dam Living Legacy Forest, we have scientific methods to transform your ashes into a Living memorial tree, giving you financial benefits and a timeless legacy.
You can book a tour of Wellington Dam Living Legacy Forest and learn firsthand the entire process of Living Legacy Trees while enjoying the lovely forest.
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