Tips & Ideas for Saving Your Money, Time and Resources – Top Money Saving Ideas for Australians

Choose cremation over in-ground burial. Cremation is a lot more economical. Besides saving on the cost of the grave plot, the family can save substantially on the coffin as well. Combustible caskets which are made especially for cremating are a lot cheaper than ones made for permanent burial.
Hold the memorial service at the home of the deceased. Elaborate services held at a chapel are costly. Alternatively hold the memorial at a location that has special meaning for the deceased like his or her home, favourite park, or favourite cafe or pub.

Keep the coffin simple. Don’t purchase from funeral parlours as they include significant mark-ups for the convenience, and there are better options and wider choices on the internet. There really is no need for fancy caskets with brass edges, bronze covers and elaborate lining and ornaments, as it ultimately ends up buried anyway. It is more sensible spending on an elaborate headstone instead.
Shop around for head stones and monuments. There are many options and choices so it is worthwhile spending time and effort shopping around on the web. If there is one area of the funeral that should be splurged on, this is it.
Opt for direct burial. This is where the deceased is buried quickly after death. A memorial service is usually still held, but without a public viewing of the body. This alternative not only saves on costs such as embalming, transportation and cosmetician fees, but it is also more suitable for families that do not want to experience the emotional trauma from viewing the deceased again.

Buy a pre-owned grave plot. Cemeteries sometimes sell pre-owned grave plots. This may occur where the previous owner has been dug up by relatives wishing to move their remains. These sell for a lot less than an unused plot, and are usually better located too, as the popular spots are most likely to be occupied first.
Dress the deceased in his or her favourite outfit. It is more suitable for the deceased to be buried in his or her favourite clothes, rather than a new outfit.

Place plastic flowers on gravestones. They last for months if not years, cost less, and look great on gravestone especially if you don’t have the time to visit frequently. Plastic flowers are also less messy to deal with, as no trimming or watering is required. Dead flowers and stale water attracts insects to the gravestone.
Avoid funeral home package “deals”. Although these appear to be good deals, funeral homes always incorporate significant mark-ups. You are usually better off purchasing items and services separately by on the net.

Claim for bereavement payments. For pensioner couples, where one partner passes away, the remaining partner is eligible for Bereavement payments from Centrelink. They are designed to replace the deceased partner’s pension for a specified time.
Check for insurance payouts. As a family member of the deceased, check to see if there are any entitlements from policies that the deceased may have taken up directly or indirectly. Most employer funded superannuation plans come with life insurance. Many families forget about potential insurance payouts during this emotional time, even though it could help relieve their financial burden during the difficult period.

Invest in funeral funds or prepay funeral expenses before death. Before passing away, ease the burden on your surviving partner and descendants by investing in a Funeral Fund, or prepaying funeral expenses or pre-purchasing your grave plot. There are concessional benefits as funeral funds and prepaid plots in Australia are usually not taxed and do not contribute to assets testing for pension entitlements.
Cremate pets. To save on pet funerals, choose cremation and scatter the ashes at a place that your pet enjoys, like the beach or local park, or alternatively keep the ashes in an urn at home on your mantle piece.