My grandfather provided free funeral services for members of the Jewish community who lived nearby him in the Adirondacks in New York state. He continued a practice in the US that existed in the Europe of his time. As a sense of community is lost practices that used to be provided free have become professions. This was in the late nineteenth century.

There's a big difference in someone reading out some prayers to someone actually handling a body & burying it !
The latter must be paid for the work that far too many wouldn't go near.

My grandfather handled the body and prepared it for burial gratis. A Jew can be buried in a shroud so no coffin is necessary. He didn't actually dig the opening in the earth for the grave, but a professional undertaker doesn't do that either.

This is one of the most inane discussions I have seen. Funerals are services provided to enable people to farewell their loved ones, and those providing the services deserved to be paid.

shadowminister,

<<This is one of the most inane discussions I have seen.>>

Really?

Is it right to see people making money out of someone else's death, particularly comercially? Including by charities? Just because it has become common in some people's mind this doesn't make it acceptable.

A Cost of Death report, published by Australian Seniors, reveals that almost a third (32%) of Australian families are left in financial hardship after paying for a funeral – and they take at least six months to recover from the debt.

So, is it necessary to consider how funerals operate? David f here has provided an example. Could they be part of a Government service? I did some research and some State/Territory/Federal assistance can be provided, but only under certain circumstances.

Some people are also looking for alternatives, particularly to lower costs and have their needs met, including people having their own coffins made by local community groups & men's sheds for example.

http://www.abc.net.au/everyday/options-for-planning-a-funeral-in-australia/9990100

There are two other issues to consider: 1. Giving your body away for medical purposes. 2. Voluntary assisted dying which (some) states have also brought in.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-30/body-bequest-for-anu-medical-research/6357962

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-19/assisted-dying-laws-victoria-used-by-more-than-50-people/11979962

These elements to me have merit and should be considered if someone wants to go down those pathways. I will be giving my body away for medical research, not for funeral operator to make money.

SM,

It's not "inane" for Nathan. You know he has form. You and I seem to be the only posters who notice and don't encourage the nonsense - because we probably aren't "nice".