The top five reasons Australians prepay their funerals

Planning your own funeral might not be at the top of your to-do list, but more people are taking this step than ever before. Over in the US, around one in five funerals are pre-planned – yet despite this trend, 44% would not feel comfortable making arrangements without the help of a funeral director (National Funeral Directors Association, 2025). 

This is where services like Guardian Plan come in. Prepaying a funeral is no longer a fringe choice. For many Australians, it’s a practical part of estate planning — alongside wills, powers of attorney and other end-of-life arrangements.

Let’s take a closer look at why Australians are choosing to prepay their funerals with Guardian Plan.

Prepaying your funeral isn't about being morbid; it's about being practical. It's a way to ease the burden on your loved ones, protect yourself financially against rising funeral costs and map out your final wishes. 

“What we most commonly hear from customers is they want to prepay their funeral to ease the load on their family, and to take care of what they can in advance,” says Steph Moran, Head of Partnerships and Growth – Prepaid Funerals. 

Seen this way, prepaying a funeral becomes less about death and more about planning well and reducing uncertainty for the people you care about.

When you pre-plan your funeral, you lock in the cost of services you select at today's rates, reducing the financial burden on your family when the time comes.

This financial protection can be significant. If you're planning your funeral now but don't pass away for another ten, twenty, or even thirty years, the difference in cost could be substantial. By prepaying, you're helping to protect yourself and your family against those future price increases and reducing the risk of your passing becoming an unexpected financial strain.

“We know that most funeral providers will increase prices once if not twice per year to keep up with rising service delivery costs,” notes Steph. “Locking in today’s rates can make a meaningful difference over time.”

Planning a funeral when no one has passed is likely to be a much calmer process than planning one in the immediate aftermath of loss. With Guardian Plan, you'll work with an experienced prepaid funeral specialist who will ask about your preferences, including whether you'd prefer burial or cremation, what kind of service you envision and any personal touches that matter to you.

“It’s much easier to plan a funeral when no one’s died,” says Steph. 

“There’s often very little time to make decisions after someone passes. Having a plan in place streamlines the process when it matters most.” 

With Guardian Plan, you'll receive a personalised plan and pricing based on your selections, and if you choose to go ahead, you can pay a deposit and then either pay in instalments over three years or pay in full. 

There's also flexibility built in. If you move or your preferred funeral home closes, your plan can move with you to another location within Guardian Plan's network of over 250 funeral homes across Australia. Terms, conditions and additional fees may apply. 

One of the common concerns people have about prepaying for their funeral is: what happens to the money? With Guardian Plan, the funds you contribute are transferred into a trust that is separate from the funeral provider. This means the money can only be used for the purpose of paying for your funeral. 

Your family won't need to navigate the complicated process of accessing funds from your estate to pay for the funeral. The money will be released directly to your chosen funeral provider when needed.

You also have a 30-day cooling-off period if you change your mind. 

Pre-planning doesn't mean your family has no say. Guardian Plan is designed to be followed but there's flexibility for loved ones to include extras at their own cost if they wish.

Pre-planning simply removes the pressure of making all the decisions from scratch. You've chosen the key elements such as the type of service, the coffin or casket and the location. Your family can then focus on the parts that matter most to them, like choosing readings or selecting photos.

People are often modest when planning their own funerals. But as Steph puts it: “the funeral is about you, but it's not for you.” 

By planning in advance, your family can feel secure knowing they are respecting your final wishes while having the space to honour you in their own way.

Pre-planning your funeral fits seamlessly alongside other estate planning documents, such as your will, enduring power of attorney and enduring guardianship. People often come to Guardian Plan after they've completed or updated their will. It's all part of making sure your loved ones know what you want and aren't left guessing during a difficult time.

Pre-planning your funeral with Guardian Plan offers peace of mind and a clear plan for your loved ones to follow. 

If you're ready to take the next step, speak with a Guardian Plan prepaid funeral specialist. They'll walk you through your options, answer your questions and help you create a plan that works for you and your family. Because a little planning today can make all the difference tomorrow.

Important Information: Guardian Plan is a pre-paid funeral plan where your funds are invested in a funeral bond issued by Over Fifty Guardian Friendly Society Limited (the Society) ABN 81 087 649 063 AFSL 524353. This product is a financial product and may not be suitable for everyone. Before making a decision, consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and consider whether this option suits your needs, seek independent financial advice if needed.