Funeral pre-planning and pre-paid funerals in Mackay
Mackay Gentle Way Funerals helps Mackay and Whitsunday families plan a funeral ahead of time. Recording your wishes with us is free and there’s no obligation. If you’d like to, you can also pre-pay to lock in today’s price: a direct water cremation is $2,640 inc GST, a full funeral service is $5,500 inc GST and a burial service is $5,800 inc GST. The council/cemetery costs of a burial can’t be pre-paid; they’re paid at the time, at exact council cost. You can change your wishes at any time. We’re locally owned, with offices in Mackay and Proserpine, and we answer the phone 24/7 on (07) 4881 0491.
We’re Mackay Gentle Way Funerals, an independent, locally owned funeral home in Mackay and Proserpine. We’re not part of The Gentle Way water cremation provider in Townsville or Brisbane.
Your funeral pre-planning options in Mackay
Record your wishes (free)
Write down how you’d like to be farewelled, from the type of service to the smallest personal detail. It’s free, there’s no obligation and you can change it at any time.
Pre-pay at today’s price
Funeral costs rise over time. A pre-paid plan fixes the cost of the services you choose at today’s prices, with your funds held securely until they are needed.
Families can pre-pay a direct cremation ($2,640), a full funeral ($5,500) or a burial service ($5,800), all inc GST, at today's price. The council/cemetery costs of a burial can't be pre-paid; they are paid at the time, at exact council cost.
Talk it through first
Not sure yet? Call us on (07) 4881 0491 for a gentle, no-pressure chat, or meet with us at our office or at your home.
A gift of peace of mind
When a death is sudden, families are often left to make dozens of decisions — and to guess at what their loved one would have wanted. Pre-planning takes that weight away.
You decide the details in your own time, with no pressure. We keep your wishes safely on record, ready for whenever they're needed.
Why Mackay families choose to pre-plan
Your wishes, honoured
Record exactly how you'd like to be farewelled, so nothing is left to chance.
Ease the burden
Spare your family difficult decisions and disagreements during their grief.
Lock in today's prices
A pre-paid plan fixes the cost of the services you choose at today’s prices.
No pressure, ever
Take all the time you need. There's no obligation and no rush.
How pre-planning works, step by step
Have a gentle chat
Meet with us at our office or at your home, or simply talk over the phone.
Record your wishes
Together we note your preferences — from the type of service to the smallest personal detail.
Choose to pre-pay (optional)
If you wish, secure today's prices with a pre-paid plan for complete peace of mind.
We keep it safe
Your plan is stored securely and honoured exactly when the time comes.
Your plan, your way
- ✓Burial, water cremation or no-service option
- ✓The style and location of your ceremony
- ✓Music, readings and personal touches
- ✓Coffin, casket or urn preferences
- ✓Flowers, notices and catering
- ✓Any cultural or religious wishes
- ✓Optional pre-payment to fix costs
What pre-planning and pre-paying cost
Recording your wishes with us is free, and there is no obligation. Families can pre-pay a direct cremation ($2,640), a full funeral ($5,500) or a burial service ($5,800), all inc GST, at today's price. The council/cemetery costs of a burial can't be pre-paid; they are paid at the time, at exact council cost.
Our $2,640 direct cremation includes the $75 doctor’s cremation permit. The only surcharge is an after-hours transfer fee of $400 + GST. See every item on our pricing page.
Pre-planning or pre-paying: what’s the difference?
Pre-planning means writing down your wishes so your family knows what you want. Pre-paying goes one step further and settles the cost now, at today’s price. You can pre-plan without pre-paying, and add a pre-paid plan later if you wish.
Is my pre-paid money protected?
Pre-paid funeral contracts in Queensland are covered by the Funeral Benefit Business Act 1982. Before you sign, you receive a plain-English Client Care Statement setting out the services, fees and charges, and every new pre-paid contract comes with a 30-day cooling-off period.
Pre-paying and the Age Pension
Services Australia does not count money paid to a funeral director for a pre-paid funeral in the assets test, as long as your contract shows the funeral is paid in full. Funeral bonds are treated differently, so it is worth checking your own situation with Services Australia or a financial adviser.
Helping a parent plan ahead
Many people plan together with their adult children. We can meet at home, go at your pace and make sure everyone understands what has been chosen. If a parent would like to pre-pay, we explain each option clearly, with no pressure.
Who you’ll talk to
You’ll speak with Nathan Boyle, our lead funeral director. Mackay Gentle Way Funerals is locally owned, with offices in Mackay and Proserpine, and has a 5-star Google rating. Call (07) 4881 0491, any time.
My pre-planning form
Take your time and fill in as much or as little as you like — there are no wrong answers, and nothing is binding. We'll be in touch to gently talk it through.
Funeral pre-planning: frequently asked questions
What are my funeral pre-planning options in Mackay?
You can record your wishes for free, or record them and also pre-pay at today’s price. You can start with one and add the other later.
Does it cost anything to pre-plan a funeral?
No. Recording your wishes with us is free and there is no obligation.
How much is a pre-paid funeral in Mackay?
A direct water cremation is $2,640, a full funeral is $5,500 and a burial service is $5,800, all inc GST, and all three can be pre-paid at today’s price. The council/cemetery costs of a burial can’t be pre-paid; they’re paid at the time, at exact council cost. See our pricing page.
Can I pre-pay a direct cremation?
Yes, at today’s price. It is our simplest option, with no service. Read about direct cremation in Mackay.
Can I change my plan later?
Yes. You can update your wishes as life changes. Just call us and we will update your plan.
Is money paid for a pre-paid funeral protected?
Pre-paid funeral contracts in Queensland are covered by the Funeral Benefit Business Act 1982, and every new contract comes with a plain-English Client Care Statement and a 30-day cooling-off period.
Does a pre-paid funeral affect the Age Pension?
Services Australia does not count money paid to a funeral director for a pre-paid funeral in the assets test, as long as your contract shows the funeral is paid in full. Funeral bonds are treated differently, so it is worth checking your own situation with Services Australia or a financial adviser.
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment plans available (interest applies), ask us for details.
Can my family help me plan?
Yes. Many people plan together with their adult children. We can meet at home, go at your pace and make sure everyone understands what has been chosen.
Do you offer flame cremation?
No. Every cremation we arrange is a gentle, flame-free water cremation, carried out locally in Proserpine.
Plan ahead with Mackay Gentle Way Funerals
A caring conversation is all it takes to begin. Reach out whenever you're ready — there's no obligation.