Frequently Asked Questions
There are three key reasons we’re so affordable - and none of them involve you receiving anything less than 5-star service.
1. We don’t own any funeral parlours
We don’t have the overheads of brick-and-mortar funeral parlours, meaning we can pass on the savings and offer our services for less than many other funeral directors.
2. We can’t upsell you anything - as we don’t sell anything else
We don’t sell caskets or offer funerals, which means you never have to worry about being upsold to a service that’s not what you’re after.
3. We specialise in direct cremations, and direct cremations only
Because we’ve focused on a single service, it means we’ve been able to put our time and effort into perfecting the process. What this means for you is we’ve been able to find the most cost effective ways to streamline the process, without ever compromising on care.
Direct cremation means your loved one is cremated in the days immediately following the death, without a viewing or funeral service beforehand. Direct cremations provide an affordable and timely alternative to traditional funerals, and are now preferred by us much as 35% of Australians.
Yes, Light Cremations prides itself on simple, transparent pricing. The direct cremation price advertised is fixed. We don't charge extra for oversized coffins, pacemaker removal or anything else.
We cover a wide range across Australia. We are available in metropolitan Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. To check if we can assist you and to receive a quote, simply enter your loved one’s postcode here.
No, you don't have to pay upfront. We won't request payment until after the cremation has been booked, and we offer a number of different payment options - including paying for the service directly from your loved one's estate.
Yes, absolutely. Many families choose to hold a personal ceremony or gathering at a later time, when they are ready, whether by the sea, in a garden, or in any place that holds special meaning. A Light or direct cremation still allows you to honour your loved one in a way that feels right for you, without the immediate time pressures of a traditional funeral.
The first thing to do is contact our Customer Care team on 1800 343 074. A dedicated concierge will take a few brief details and guide you through the next steps, answering any questions you may have. Their role is to make things a bit easier for you and ensure the process feels as simple and supportive as possible. Once we have the initial details, we’ll transfer your loved one into our care and begin making cremation arrangements. We’ll help with the required paperwork and keep you informed every step of the way by email or through your dashboard which displays your loved one’s current arrangement updates.
Light doesn’t currently offer prepaid cremations, but our friends at Bare can help you put a prepaid plan in place with ease. Visit Bare Prepaid for more information, or call the Bare Prepaid team on 1800 202 901 to learn more.
Absolutely. While we do have a digital platform available for you, our team is here 24/7 and we can absolutely support you the traditional way (via phone call and email) if that is your preference. Please let us know your preferred way to communicate when you contact us for the first time.
The paperwork required varies depending on the state. We’ll provide all the necessary forms and gently guide you through each step. To make things easier, documents can be completed online in your dashboard, so there’s no need to print anything. You can start, pause, and come back to it whenever you're ready. These forms are used to authorise the cremation, arrange the transfer of your loved one into our care from a facility like a hospital, and record their passing with the relevant authorities.
We're here to help with any questions you may have. You can call us anytime on 1800 343 074, our phone line is available 24/7. If you prefer not to speak by phone, you’re welcome to leave your enquiry here, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
After a loved one passes, their body will be taken directly into our care (or the care of our partners) for preparation for the cremation. The body is prepared and placed in either a basic wooden coffin or cardboard casket for the cremation to take place. We will arrange all of the paperwork, including the Doctor's medical certificate, cremation permit, registration of the death and official BDM death certificate. After cremation, we’ll work with you to bring your loved one's ashes home in a temporary, but secure, urn.
Once we’ve brought your loved one into our care, they will be respectfully looked after at a licensed facility operated by one of our trusted local partners. We only work with crematoriums and funeral providers who are fully registered and meet all state regulations.
Your loved one will remain in safe and dignified care throughout the process. From the moment of collection to the time of cremation, they are treated with the utmost respect just as we would care for our own family.
The ashes will be placed in a simple urn, which is already included in your package. We will arrange for them to be either mailed to you or made available for collection from the crematorium or facility, depending on the options available and what works best for you and your family.
Absolutely. Choosing something more affordable doesn’t mean less care. We understand this is a difficult time, and we’re here to support you gently through each step, from making the arrangements to working with you in receiving your loved one’s ashes, and even notifying Centrelink on your behalf. You won’t be on your own. We’ll be here to guide you while caring for your loved one, along with a simple digital dashboard to help you keep track along the way.
Our prices vary depending on location due to transport costs and local service fees. In some states, such as Western Australia, cremation fees are significantly higher than in others. Our pricing reflects the actual cost of providing care in each area. You can get a quote tailored to your loved one's location here.
You can reach us any time, including nights, weekends, and holidays. We’re available 24/7 on 1800 343 074, and there’s no additional cost for after-hours or weekend arrangements. We collect day or night, though some locations, like certain hospitals, may have set collection times we need to follow. Rest assured we’ll collect as soon as we can, with no hidden fees.
The timeframe to bring your loved one into care depends on their location. If your loved one has passed away at home, generally, we’re able to attend within 2-3 hours of your healthcare professional confirming the death. If your loved one passes away in a hospital or if they are taken into the care of the Coroner, the process of Next of Kin completing the necessary release form will usually take a day or so.
Our cremation-only arrangement includes respectful transport of your loved one, professional mortuary care, the cremation service itself including an eco coffin, assistance with registering the death, ordering the official death certificate, and a simple urn for the ashes.
A Light cremation is a direct or unattended cremation. It is a simpler option without a formal ceremony beforehand. Many families choose this when they prefer something more affordable, while still wanting a farewell that is respectful, dignified, and carried out with compassion and care.
We generally advise families that the timing from collection of your loved one to receiving their ashes is around 3 weeks. However, this may vary depending on many factors, including the return of ashes options available in your area. Please speak to your arranger for guidance.
Yes. One of the reasons our services remain affordable is because we operate without a traditional funeral home setup. Everything can be arranged from the comfort of your own home 24/7. If you prefer not to speak over the phone, you are also welcome to contact us online here and we will assist you as soon as we can. We understand that making calls during a time of grief can be difficult, and we’re here to support you in the way that feels most comfortable.
We take this responsibility very seriously, and the process to ensure this happens is closely regulated. Each person is cremated individually. Your loved one and their coffin, the ashes receptacle, are all verified at every stage. Their paperwork is with them throughout the entire process and is checked multiple times to ensure their identity is correctly recorded.
At this time, our offering is kept simple to keep it affordable. This includes a private unattended cremation, which means no family members or loved ones are present during the process.
A viewing option is not currently offered at Light. We provide unattended cremations only at this time. Many families choose to spend a private moment with their loved one before we bring them into our care.