Funerals Australia

03/06/2026

When families are grieving, standards matter more than ever.

Funeral care involves decisions most people never see, and families should be able to trust those decisions are being made with care, knowledge, and integrity.

Asha Dooley, Funerals Australia National President, spoke to ABC News about the need for nationally consistent regulation and standards across the funeral profession, ensuring every person entrusted with the care of the deceased is appropriately trained and accountable following a Western Australian family's distressing experience.

At Funerals Australia, we believe families deserve confidence in the people caring for their loved one. Our members commit to professional standards, ethical conduct, and ongoing education, placing the needs of families and communities at the centre of everything they do.

That quiet professionalism is what builds trust, confidence, and care when it matters most.

Read the ABC News story below.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-02/calls-for-increased-funeral-industry-regulation/106655272

A First Nations family is calling for changes to the "unregulated" funeral industry after complaints about a loved one's burial went nowhere.

28/05/2026

Members from the Queensland Division came together in Brisbane last week for a weekend of learning, networking, and connection.

Members heard from an outstanding line-up of speakers including Neil Atkins from Workplace Health & Safety Queensland, Louise O’Neill from Palliative Care Queensland and Lesley McLeod from QVAD Support & Pharmacy Service, who shared valuable insights into workplace safety, palliative care and voluntary assisted dying. The weekend also included a visit to the impressive new Thornlands premises of Alex Gow Funerals.

This gathering was particularly special as members honoured the memory of much-loved colleague Matt Hansen and recognised the significant contribution he made to the funeral profession and to all those who knew him. It was a reminder of the compassion, respect and care that continue to define our profession, both for the families we serve and for one another.

Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, members and the QLD Divisional Council for making the weekend such a success.

22/05/2026

Behind every meaningful farewell is a dedicated professional committed to supporting families with care, skill, and compassion.

These are some of our members from the Victorian Division who recently came together in Colac for the SW/NW Zone Meeting to learn, connect, and continue raising the standard of funeral care across Australia.

Members heard from Dean Matthews, CEO of Geelong Cemeteries Trust and President of the Australasian Cemeteries & Crematoria Association, who shared valuable insights into green cemetery practices and emerging industry trends.

A special thank you to Victorian President David Hastie for hosting, local members Quinn Funerals and Hall Funeral Services Colac Pty Ltd and to all our members and sponsors for making the event possible.

Next up our members will be gathering in Brisbane for the Queensland Division’s General Meeting as we continue strengthening connections, sharing knowledge, and supporting excellence across the profession.

14/05/2026

Ambulances. Aged care. Emergency services. We don't question whether these are essential, we plan for them accordingly.

Funeral providers should be on that same list.

Every day in Australia, approximately 500 people die. Their families need a funeral director to reach them immediately, reliably, regardless of what's happening with fuel supply. That's not optional. That's not something that can wait.

As Australia's leading voice on funerals for over 90 years, we've written to state and federal ministers calling for formal essential service recognition in fuel contingency planning. We're advocating hard for our members and the communities they serve — and we're not stopping until this gap is closed.

Find out more: https://funeralsaustralia.org.au/2026/05/13/why-fuel-access-for-funerals-must-be-treated-as-an-essential-service/

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09/05/2026

On behalf of Funerals Australia and our members, we are holding close everyone missing someone this Mother’s Day.

Sending love, care and quiet support to all who are carrying grief today.

30/04/2026

Have you ever thought about how funerals shape people’s experiences of grief and bereavement?

Researchers from La Trobe University and UNSW are currently conducting a national study about funerals and bereavement.

Funerals Australia supports research that strengthens understanding of the important role funerals play in supporting individuals, families and communities after loss. You can help by sharing this with your community.

The survey is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has organised a funeral in the past 6-24 months, and any family and friends who were also involved in organising the funeral.

The survey takes around 15–20 minutes, is voluntary and completely anonymous and will help inform future bereavement and funeral practice.

Take part here: https://redcap.link/funeralsandbereavementpublicsurvey

This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of La Trobe University (Approval number HEC25463).

Please note that comments and private messages will not be monitored or responded to. For questions or more information, please contact the research team listed in the linked information.

24/04/2026

On ANZAC Day, we pause together.

Through ceremony and shared moments of remembrance, Australians honour service, reflect on loss, and hold memory across generations.

Collective remembrance reminds us that grief and gratitude are not carried alone.

Lest we forget.

17/04/2026

Without priority access to fuel, funeral providers may be unable to bring loved ones into care or travel to cemeteries and crematoria, especially in regional and rural communities where distances are significant.

Grief is challenging enough on its own. Uncertainty about when families can say goodbye only adds further stress at an already difficult time.

Funerals Australia is continuing to advocate to State and Federal Ministers to ensure funeral services are recognised as essential in fuel contingency planning so families can continue to receive timely, dignified care when they need it most.

Join us in advocating for recognition of funeral services as essential in fuel priority planning.

05/04/2026

Grief reminds us of the depth of love we shared.

Thinking of all those holding memories, love and loss close over the Easter break.

01/04/2026

A look back at our recent National Convention on the Sunshine Coast.

So much learning, connection and shared experience in one place. Thank you to our members for coming together and strengthening the profession.