26 September 2023

Views sought on cemetery pricing

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The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is seeking feedback on the costs of and pricing for internment services in NSW cemeteries.

IPART released an Interim Report in December 2019, which found that there was a wide variation in prices for interment services and that prices were not displayed consistently by cemeteries.

Tribunal member at IPART, Deborah Cope said the Interim Report recommended ways to make it easier for consumers to understand and compare prices.

“To provide greater transparency in cemetery pricing, we are recommending that all cemetery operators be required to publish itemised prices for interment services using consistent terminology,” Ms Cope said.

“We are also recommending that the NSW Government set up a website to allow people to easily compare prices across all cemeteries in NSW,” she said.

Ms Cope said one of the challenges facing cemeteries, particularly in Sydney, was a lack of burial space and the cost of locating and purchasing land for new cemeteries.

“IPART has made an interim recommendation that the cemeteries regulator, Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW, become responsible for acquiring land for new cemeteries in Sydney,” she said.

She said that the next stage of the review would look at the costs for the Crown cemeteries in Sydney to make sure they were efficient, as well as develop a pricing tool for existing cemeteries.

“IPART is also looking at competition, costs and pricing factors for the funeral industry,” she said.

Ms Cope said submissions on the Interim Report were open until 28 Febuary.

The 90-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.

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