When planning a funeral, many families may not realise the significant differences between locally owned funeral homes and those operated by large corporate entities. It’s important to support local owned funeral homes, keeping the local economy strong, not lining the pockets of foreign investors.
In recent years, South Australia’s funeral industry has experienced a shift, with numerous family-owned funeral homes being acquired by large corporations, such as InvoCare and the newer entrant, Propel Funeral Partners.
This article explores key facts about corporate ownership in the funeral industry and its impact on the quality of service offered to grieving families.
Corporate Ownership in the Funeral Industry
One of the largest players in the Australian funeral industry is InvoCare, a corporation that owns a significant number of funeral brands nationwide. In South Australia, InvoCare owns Blackwell Funerals, which operates across six locations, and controls three national brands: White Lady Funerals, Simplicity Funerals, and Value Cremations. InvoCare’s reach extends further, with ownership of more than 40 funeral brands and 15 cemeteries and crematoria across Australia. In November 2023, InvoCare became wholly owned by the private equity group TPG.
A newer corporate player, Propel Funeral Partners, has also been expanding aggressively in the Australian market. They now own several funeral homes in Adelaide, including Charles Berry, Alfred James, and Glenelg Funerals. Propel, like InvoCare, is profit-driven, with its business model focusing on shareholder returns rather than personalised care.
The Impact on Families
With corporate ownership comes a focus on profitability, often at the expense of the compassionate care traditionally associated with family-owned funeral homes. InvoCare and Propel Funeral Partners operate with their shareholders’ interests in mind, which can result in higher costs for families. For example, InvoCare’s prices are typically higher than those of locally owned funeral homes. Families seeking compassion and sincerity may find themselves unknowingly engaging with a business whose primary objective is profit.
Currently, Australia has nearly 900 funeral homes, with InvoCare controlling around 290 of them as of 2019. In South Australia, a comparison of 24 local funeral directors revealed that half were owned by InvoCare, and Propel Funeral Partners is also rapidly growing its share of the market. This means that nearly half of what appears to be locally owned, family-run funeral homes are actually managed by large corporations.
Maintaining the Illusion of Local Ownership
One strategy commonly employed by both InvoCare and Propel Funeral Partners is to retain the original names of the family-owned funeral homes they acquire. For example, families may assume that Charles Berry, Alfred James, or Glenelg Funerals remain local, family-owned businesses, when in fact they are owned by Propel Funeral Partners. This practice makes it difficult for families to distinguish between locally owned funeral homes and those run by profit-driven corporations.
Why Family-Owned Funeral Homes Matter
At Sensible Funerals, we believe that genuine care and compassion should always be the top priority when serving grieving families. Family-owned and operated funeral homes are built on values of sincerity, trust, and a commitment to the local community. Unlike large corporate-owned businesses, we are not driven by the need to generate profits for shareholders. Instead, we are focused on providing affordable, personal, and compassionate service to every family that comes to us.
Choosing a funeral home is a deeply personal decision, and it’s important to be informed about who is providing your service. By choosing a locally owned and operated funeral home, you are supporting a business that prioritises care, sincerity, and the needs of the community.
At Sensible Funerals, we are dedicated to offering heartfelt, affordable services without compromising on the care and respect that your loved ones deserve. We are here to guide you through one of life’s most difficult times, ensuring that every family receives the support they need.
