Queensland's Funeral Pricing Regulation: What It Actually Requires

Until recently, getting a clear funeral price in Queensland meant sitting in a funeral director's office, in grief, while someone talked you through a catalogue of options. Prices weren't always posted publicly. Itemization was inconsistent. Families often had no way to compare providers before committing.

The Fair Trading (Funeral Pricing) Regulation 2022 changed that. It introduced mandatory transparency requirements for funeral directors operating in Queensland — the first time the state had specific pricing regulations for the funeral industry.

Here's what the regulation actually requires and what it means for families arranging a funeral.

Why this regulation exists

Queensland's funeral industry is unlicensed. Unlike aged care, healthcare, or financial services, there is no government body that issues licences to funeral directors, sets professional standards, or can revoke someone's ability to operate. Anyone can start a funeral business tomorrow without any formal training, registration, or quality oversight.

In this environment, consumer protection has to come from somewhere else. The Fair Trading (Funeral Pricing) Regulation 2022 is the primary mechanism. It doesn't licence the industry — it imposes information and transparency obligations that the Office of Fair Trading can enforce.

What funeral directors must now do

1. Publish itemized price lists online and in-store

Every funeral director must publish a price list that itemizes their services. This list must be available on their website and displayed in their premises.

Crucially, this must be itemized — individual services priced individually — not just a package price. You should be able to see what each element costs separately.

This means you can research prices before making any contact, and you can compare what different funeral directors charge for equivalent services.

2. Offer the least expensive package

Funeral directors must proactively tell you about and offer their lowest-cost option. This requirement exists because, historically, families in grief were often guided toward mid-range or premium services without ever being shown the entry-level option.

The "least expensive package" must be described clearly. If a funeral director presents you with options starting from their mid-range tier without mentioning their lower-cost offering, they are not complying with the regulation.

3. Provide written itemized quotes within 48 hours

If you ask for a quote, the funeral director must provide it in writing, itemized, within 48 hours. You are entitled to this quote before signing any contract or making any commitment.

The written quote must separately list:

• Each service provided by the funeral director
• Third-party disbursements (cemetery fees, cremation fees, death certificates, etc.)

This separation between professional fees and disbursements is important. It lets you see what the funeral director themselves is charging, distinct from unavoidable third-party costs.

4. Disclose mortuary location

Funeral directors must tell you where the deceased will be kept. This sounds basic, but it matters. Some funeral directors use remote or shared mortuary facilities that are not at their premises. Families have a right to know where the body is being held.

5. Separate professional fees from disbursements

All quotes and invoices must clearly distinguish between what the funeral director charges and what is being passed through to third parties. This lets you assess whether the professional fee is reasonable and understand which costs are fixed (government fees, cremation costs) versus which are at the funeral director's discretion.

What the regulation does not cover

The regulation imposes transparency obligations — it does not set price caps. Funeral directors can charge whatever they choose for their professional services, provided they disclose those prices correctly.

It also doesn't cover every aspect of quality. Transparency about pricing doesn't guarantee the quality of care provided to the deceased or the professionalism of the service delivery.

And because the industry remains unlicensed, there's no professional body that can suspend or revoke a funeral director's ability to operate. Enforcement of the regulation is through the Office of Fair Trading via complaints and inspections.

Mandatory vs optional services

Under the regulation, funeral directors must be clear about which elements of their service are mandatory and which are optional.

You should not be charged for services you didn't ask for or agree to. If a funeral director includes services in their quote that you didn't request and won't accept, you can ask for those to be removed. The itemized format of the quote is designed to make this conversation possible.

Common services that families sometimes accept without realizing they're optional:

• Viewing or visitation (you can decline this)
• Newspaper death notices (you can handle this yourself or skip it)
• Embalming (often not required for closed-casket or short-timeframe funerals)
• Premium coffin finishes
• Limousines beyond one vehicle

None of these are inherently wrong choices — but they should be conscious ones, not defaults that appear in a quote without discussion.

How to use this regulation

The regulation gives you rights that are worth exercising:

Before meeting a funeral director: Look up their price list online. Know what they charge before the conversation starts.

During the initial meeting: Ask to see the least expensive package if it hasn't been shown to you. Ask for an itemized written quote before committing.

When reviewing the quote: Confirm that professional fees and disbursements are separated. Check that every item listed is something you actually want.

At invoicing: Compare the final invoice to the written quote. Any differences should have been agreed in advance.

If you have a complaint: Contact the Office of Fair Trading. Non-compliance with the Fair Trading (Funeral Pricing) Regulation 2022 is enforceable by OFT, and you can lodge a complaint if a funeral director has failed to meet their obligations.

For a complete picture of Queensland funeral consumer rights, including the full legal framework, required forms, and step-by-step guidance for the days after a death, see the Queensland Funeral Laws & Consumer Rights Guide.

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