Questions to ask, with room for two answers

Seventeen questions in five groups. The two right-hand columns are left blank for your notes.

Question, and where it comes from	Director A	Director B
On the first call
May I have your price list before we talk about a quote?NSW: within 48 hours of asking, unless you agree otherwise (NSW Fair Trading). WA: within two business days (WA Consumer Protection). Victoria: to anyone who asks (Consumer Affairs Victoria).
Where is the mortuary or crematorium you use, and who owns it?Required information in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and WA, with the owner or manager named if it is not the director’s own (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA).
How will the person be transported before the funeral?All four states require directors to say how a body is transported before burial or cremation (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA).
Are you on the register, or licensed?Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria keeps a public register of funeral providers. Perth metropolitan area: the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board licenses funeral directors.
With the quote
What is your least expensive package, and what is in it?NSW, Victoria and Queensland directors must show their least expensive package (in NSW and Victoria, where they offer packages); WA directors must offer a basic burial and a basic cremation package (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA).
Does every line on your list have its own price?NSW: a price list must not combine items into one total, or use “included”, “complimentary” or “no charge” instead of a price (NSW Fair Trading).
Is there a professional service fee?NSW: if there is one, you must be told its price before you agree (NSW Fair Trading). Victoria: any service fees, including professional service fees, go on the price list (Consumer Affairs Victoria).
Which figures are estimates, and which cemetery or crematorium are they for?NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia ask directors to estimate certificates, permits and cemetery or crematorium fees (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia). Victoria: where estimated, the actual disbursements come in writing with the final invoice (Consumer Affairs Victoria).
How do I make a complaint to you?Victoria: the itemised quotation must say how (Consumer Affairs Victoria).
About the funeral itself
Do we need embalming?NSW: legally required only for burial in an above-ground mausoleum or crypt, or for transport overseas or interstate (Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW).
Can we have a viewing and a committal?Perth metropolitan area: directors licensed by the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board agree to offer the option of both (Metropolitan Cemeteries Board).
Which cemetery fees are already included, such as chapel time?The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board suggests asking this, as some prepaid packages include time in its chapels (Metropolitan Cemeteries Board).
Can we watch the cremation, and is there a fee?Some crematoriums allow it, and may charge for the extra staff needed (Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW).
If there is a prepaid plan
Does the plan include the burial or cremation itself?Some prepaid schemes cover only what the director controls, such as its services and the coffin (NSW Government).
Will anything cost more than the contract says?Victoria: a provider must not demand payment beyond the contract (Consumer Affairs Victoria). WA: the price is fixed unless both sides agree, and extras added after death add to the cost (WA Consumer Protection).
Before signing
May I take the contract away, or have someone read it with me?The Metropolitan Cemeteries Board suggests reading every contract and asking a family member or friend to read it with you (Metropolitan Cemeteries Board). The NSW Government says you can get someone else to help review quotes and terms (NSW Government).
When is payment due, and are there interest or late fees?Most funeral directors require payment in full before the funeral, and the NSW Government suggests looking for clauses about interest or late fees (NSW Government).