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Working in the funeral sector - with the Last Hurrah Funerals Co-Founder, Stass Jones
How much do we really know about the industry behind our loved one's funeral?
In Australia, the funeral sector is a multi-billion-dollar industry made up of hundreds of businesses, from large corporate operators to small independent funeral directors. Yet the industry remains surprisingly unfamiliar to most of us.
In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, we step back from the experience of arranging an individual funeral and look at the funeral sector itself.
Stass Jones, co-founder of The Last Hurrah Funerals, an independent funeral provider in Melbourne, discusses how the industry operates, how concentrated it has become, the push for greater regulation, the challenges facing smaller operators and what all of this means for consumers.
In this episode we explore:
The growth and consolidation of the funeral industry
Who owns some of Australia's best-known funeral brands
How people enter the funeral profession
The different roles within the sector
Qualifications and training for funeral professionals
Why the level of regulation in funeral care may surprise you
The debate around greater regulation of the sector
What “briefcase operators” means — and why they matter
Whether regulation could unintentionally disadvantage small and culturally specific funeral providers
The role of funeral industry associations
Pricing transparency and what consumers can expect to pay
Why the cost of seemingly similar funeral services can vary dramatically
The commercial pressures facing independent funeral businesses
How funeral directors balance affordability with the need to run a sustainable business
The cost of burial and cemetery space
The future of the funeral sector
Why greater death literacy could change the relationship between families and funeral providers
A highly concentrated industry
The funeral sector can feel very local. You might know the funeral home in your suburb and assume it's an independently owned local business.
But the Australian industry is considerably more concentrated than many people realise.
The episode looks at the role of large operators and the growth of consolidation, alongside the independent funeral directors trying to provide an alternative model.
Stass doesn't see the future as necessarily being a battle between corporate and independent providers. Her view is that there is room for different models — provided they operate with the right ethics and attitude.
How regulated is the funeral industry?
Stass talks about regulations covering certain aspects of funeral and mortuary services, and the levels of oversight in practice. She argues that regulation, when done well, can play a helpful role in protecting families and maintaining standards.
She then considers how the shape of regulation can affect different businesses. In particular, she points out that rules designed for larger funeral groups may unintentionally create barriers for smaller operators, including those that grow over time by bringing more services in-house after starting with outsourced support.
The “briefcase operators”
The term “briefcase operator” refers to smaller funeral businesses that can begin without owning a mortuary, hearse fleet or large funeral home.
Instead, they can initially work with third-party providers for services such as mortuary care and transportation.
Stass describes The Last Hurrah as having grown in this way and now bringing more services in-house as the business has developed.
She argues that this model can provide an important pathway for smaller and more diverse funeral businesses — and that regulation needs to avoid unintentionally shutting them out.
What does consolidation mean for consumers?
Greater consolidation doesn't necessarily mean there is no competition.
Stass points out that funeral companies are required to publish their pricing, although she questions how effectively that requirement is policed.
She also gives an eye-opening example: direct cremation can range from around $1,800 to $7,000 for what may appear to be essentially the same service.
The point isn't necessarily that the cheapest funeral is the best funeral.
It's that consumers need enough information to understand what they're paying for and why prices differ.
And increasingly, greater death literacy means people are asking more questions rather than simply accepting whatever is presented to them at a time when they're vulnerable.
Can an independent funeral business survive?
Running a funeral business isn't simply about charging families for a service.
Stass talks candidly about the tension between keeping funerals affordable and running a sustainable business that employs people and pays its bills.
The Last Hurrah has tried to keep prices as low as possible and has established a philanthropic fund to assist families who need additional support. But Stass also acknowledges that a funeral business needs to value the skills, time and experience of its people if it is going to survive.
The future of the sector
Australia is entering a period of significant demographic change, with the number of deaths expected to rise substantially over coming decades.
That means the funeral sector is going to become increasingly important — economically, socially and culturally.
The question is what we want that sector to look like.
How much regulation is appropriate?
How do we protect consumers without shutting out smaller operators?
How do we maintain competition?
And how do we make sure the people caring for the dead and supporting grieving families are properly trained and supported?
These are bigger questions than simply choosing a funeral home.
The practical takeaway
Perhaps the most important thing consumers can do is become more informed.
Ask questions. Look at prices. Understand what you're paying for. Don't assume that a familiar name automatically means a particular level of service.
And if something doesn't feel right, speak up.
Stass' advice is particularly direct: communicate openly with your funeral director and, if the relationship doesn't feel right, you are not necessarily locked into staying with that provider.
Greater death literacy gives families more power — and that can only be a good thing.
About Stass Jones
Stass Jones is co-founder of The Last Hurrah Funerals, an independent funeral provider based in Thornbury, Victoria.
The Last Hurrah supports families to create meaningful farewells while also working to challenge some of the assumptions and practices within the traditional funeral industry.
About Rest Easy Knowing
Rest Easy Knowing is a podcast about death, dying and the practical conversations we often avoid — helping make the unfamiliar a little less daunting and giving you information you can actually use.
Recorded at Emerald Hill Heritage Centre on the traditional lands of the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Fiona pays respects to Elders past and present and to all First Nations people listening.
Music by Sapiros.

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The Practicalities of Managing an Estate with Julia Tutt Senior Associate, de Groots Wills and Estates Lawyers. 
Most of us know we should have a Will. Far fewer of us understand what happens after someone dies.
Who deals with the bank accounts? What happens to the house? Who pays the bills and taxes? What exactly does an executor have to do — and how long does it all take?
And what happens when family members don't agree?
In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona is joined by Julia Tutt, Senior Associate at de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers, to take us through what estate administration actually involves.
Julia explains what an estate is, what an executor does, when probate is required, what happens when someone dies without a Will, and why administering an estate can become considerably more complicated than people expect.
We also talk about family disputes, beneficiaries, charities, assets held overseas and the qualities to look for when choosing an executor.
In this episode we explore:
What actually forms part of someone's estate
Why superannuation doesn't automatically form part of an estate
How trusts can sit outside an estate
What happens in the immediate period after someone dies
How funeral expenses can be paid from the deceased's bank account
What an executor is responsible for
When an executor needs to obtain a grant from the court
What happens to property, bank accounts and other assets
Why executors can face significant responsibilities and potential liability
What happens when beneficiaries disagree
What happens when someone dies without a Will — intestacy
What happens when assets are held in different Australian states or overseas
Why choosing an executor isn't simply about picking the eldest child
Whether someone can refuse an appointment as executor
What executor's commission is
Why keeping proper accounts and records matters
What can turn a straightforward estate into a very complicated one
Why charities named in a Will are still entitled to their gift
How good preparation can make things much easier for the people left behind
What does an executor actually do?
Being named as an executor isn't just an honour or a formality.
An executor may have to organise the funeral, obtain the necessary court grant, identify and collect assets, deal with banks and other institutions, manage property, arrange tax returns, deal with debts and potential claims, keep beneficiaries informed and ultimately distribute the estate according to the Will.
And that's in a relatively straightforward estate.
As Julia explains, executors can underestimate both the amount of paperwork involved and the potential liability they carry — particularly if someone makes a claim against the estate.
Probate: what is it actually for?
Probate is a grant made by the court confirming that the Will is the deceased person's last Will and that the named executor has the legal authority to administer the estate.
Once probate has been granted, the executor can generally deal with assets that require that authority, such as selling estate property and collecting funds from institutions that require the grant.
Not every asset necessarily requires probate before it can be dealt with, however. Requirements can vary between financial institutions and jurisdictions.
What if there is no Will?
When someone dies without a Will, they are said to have died intestate.
Instead of an executor appointed by a Will, an administrator deals with the estate, and the distribution is determined by the relevant intestacy laws.
Those laws differ between Australian states and territories, and family circumstances can make things particularly complicated — especially where there are separated spouses, blended families or estranged children.
When families don't agree
This is where estate administration can become very difficult.
Disputes between beneficiaries, disagreements between co-executors, claims against the estate and delays in selling or distributing assets can turn an administrative process into litigation.
Julia talks about the reality of family tensions surfacing after a parent or other family member dies — sometimes bringing conflicts that have been simmering for years to the surface.
And beneficiaries aren't necessarily required to simply wait indefinitely. Executors have a responsibility to administer an estate in a timely manner, and beneficiaries can seek the court's intervention where an estate isn't being properly administered.
Choosing an executor
Who should you appoint?
Julia's advice is to look beyond family hierarchy.
Being the eldest child doesn't automatically make someone the best executor. An executor needs to be organised, motivated, practical, objective and honest — because there can be substantial work and responsibility involved.
And there's a simple step that can prevent an awkward situation later:
Ask them first.
If you're considering appointing a friend or family member as your executor, talk to them about whether they're actually willing to take on the job.
The practical takeaway
You can't make the administration of your estate completely effortless, but you can make it far less confusing for the people who have to deal with it.
Julia recommends giving your executor clear information about where your assets are and who you bank with, as well as practical details such as funeral wishes.
That can include information about:
Bank accounts
Property
Shares and investments
Superannuation
Lawyers and accountants
Insurance
Utilities
Memberships and subscriptions
Funeral preferences
Where important documents can be found
You don't necessarily need to put all of this information into your Will. But make sure your executor knows where to find it.
Because the goal isn't simply to have a Will.
It's to make sure the people left behind can actually work out what to do with it.
About Julia Tutt
Julia Tutt is a Senior Associate at de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers, a specialist Wills and Estates firm.
You can find out more about de Groots at degroots.com.au.
Important note
This episode provides general information only and is not legal or financial advice.
Estate law, probate, intestacy and the administration of estates can differ between Australian states and territories. If you are making or reviewing a Will, choosing an executor or dealing with an estate, seek professional advice about your individual circumstances.
About Rest Easy Knowing
Rest Easy Knowing is a podcast about death, dying and the practical conversations we often avoid — helping make the unfamiliar a little less daunting and giving you information you can actually use.
Rest Easy Knowing is recorded at Emerald Hill Heritage Centre on the traditional lands of the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Fiona pays respects to Elders past and present and to all First Nations people listening.
Music by Sapiros.
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#RestEasyKnowing #EstatePlanning #WillsAndEstates #EstateAdministration #Probate #Executor #Executors #Intestacy #DeceasedEstate #Inheritance #EstatePlanningAustralia #Wills #DeathLiteracy #EndOfLifePlanning #IntergenerationalWealth #AustralianPodcast

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Voluntary Assisted Dying - Understanding the Process and Your Options with VAD Navigator Nicky Stitt
Voluntary assisted dying is something many of us know exists, but very few of us understand until we or someone we love is facing an advanced, life-limiting illness.
In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona speaks with Nicky Stitt, a registered nurse and VAD Navigator with the Victorian Statewide Voluntary Assisted Dying Navigator Service.
Nicky explains what voluntary assisted dying actually is, who may be eligible, what the assessment process involves and, importantly, the role of the care navigator in supporting patients and their families.
This is not a conversation about persuading anyone to choose VAD. It's about understanding an end-of-life option that is available under Australian law and knowing where to turn for accurate information and support.
In this episode
We talk about:
What voluntary assisted dying is — and what it isn't
The strict eligibility requirements
Why the decision must be the person's own
The importance of maintaining decision-making capacity throughout the process
How the VAD assessment process works
The role of the VAD Navigator
How navigators support patients, families and health professionals
Why regional and rural access can be more complicated
The importance of gathering medical and identity documentation
Why establishing a person's prognosis can sometimes be difficult
How long the VAD process generally takes
What can happen when someone is very close to the end of their natural life
Why some people begin the process but don't ultimately use the medication
Common misconceptions about VAD
The importance of knowing about VAD before you urgently need it
How family members can support someone considering VAD
What is voluntary assisted dying?
Nicky explains that VAD involves a person making a conscious decision about whether they want to access medication that can bring about their death, subject to strict legal eligibility requirements.
The decision must be made by the person themselves. They must have decision-making capacity and maintain that capacity throughout the assessment process and when they choose whether or not to take the medication. Another person cannot make that decision on their behalf.
In Victoria, current eligibility requirements include being aged 18 or over, being an Australian citizen or permanent resident, having lived in Victoria for at least 12 months, having an advanced disease that is expected to cause death within the relevant timeframe, and experiencing suffering that is unacceptable to the person. (Health Victoria)
What does a VAD Navigator do?
This is one of the most useful parts of the conversation.
VAD Navigators aren't there simply to process paperwork. They provide information and support to patients, families, carers and health professionals, and can help connect people with doctors and other services.
Nicky describes the role as a central source of support — particularly because doctors may be providing VAD care alongside their broader medical responsibilities. Navigators can bring additional nursing or social-work perspectives to the process and help patients and families work through practical issues.
The Victorian Government similarly describes care navigators as nurses and allied health professionals who can explain the process, help people find eligible assessing doctors and connect patients and families with appropriate support. (Health Victoria)
How long does the process take?
Nicky explains that the process generally takes around four to six weeks in metropolitan areas, although it can take longer in regional areas because of access to doctors.
For people with some neurodegenerative conditions, an additional specialist assessment can extend the timeframe further.
In some circumstances, where a person is very close to the end of their natural life and the necessary doctors and requirements are in place, some timeframes may be shortened. Nicky says this is relatively uncommon.
That makes one message particularly important: don't wait until the last minute to find out how the process works.
The paperwork matters
One of the less obvious challenges Nicky discusses is documentation.
Navigators may need to establish a person's identity, citizenship or residency and gather medical information about their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Sometimes obtaining documents such as birth certificates can take significant time. Navigators may also need to work with a person's GP, specialists and hospitals to build a clear picture of their medical circumstances.
Regional access
Access can be more challenging outside metropolitan areas.
Navigators may travel significant distances to meet people face-to-face, while access to doctors who can undertake the necessary assessments can be more limited.
That doesn't mean people in regional areas can't access support. It does mean that planning ahead can be particularly important.
A conversation worth having before you need it
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this episode is that information is power.
You don't have to make a decision about VAD simply because you learn about it. You don't have to proceed once you start exploring it. But understanding the option, the eligibility requirements and the process means you and your family aren't trying to work it all out during a crisis.
The Victorian Government confirms that a person can change their mind at any point during the process, including before taking the medication. (Health Victoria)
Where to get help in Victoria
If you or someone you know is considering VAD, the Victorian Statewide Care Navigator Service provides information and support.
Phone: (03) 8559 5823
Email: vadcarenavigator@petermac.org
The service can also help connect people with a doctor who is willing and qualified to assist with the VAD process. (Health Victoria)
Similar services exist in other Australian states and territories. 
Important note
This episode provides general information and is not medical or legal advice.
VAD legislation and processes differ between Australian states and territories and can change over time. If you are considering VAD, speak with your doctor, healthcare team or the relevant VAD care navigator service for current information about your circumstances.
About Rest Easy Knowing
Rest Easy Knowing is a podcast about death, dying and the practical conversations we often avoid — helping make the unfamiliar a little less daunting and giving you information you can actually use.
This episode was recorded at Emerald Hill Heritage Centre on the traditional lands of the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Fiona pays respects to Elders past and present and to all First Nations people listening.
Music by Sapiros.

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Who’s in Charge When You Can’t Be - with de Groots Wills & Estates Lawyers, Senior Associate Julia Tutt 
We often think about planning for what happens after we die — making a Will, choosing an executor and deciding who should receive our assets.
But what if you’re still alive and you’re no longer able to make decisions for yourself?
That’s where powers of attorney and guardianship come in.
In this episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona talks with Julia Tutt, Senior Associate at de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers, about the documents that can determine who manages your financial affairs, makes decisions about your health and wellbeing, and steps in when you can no longer make those decisions yourself.
And there’s a serious warning: giving someone power over your finances is a significant decision. The conversation explores the risks of financial elder abuse, why choosing the right person matters, and the checks and balances you can consider putting in place.
In this episode
We talk about:
The difference between a Will and a power of attorney
What a power of attorney allows someone to do while you are alive
What happens to a power of attorney when you die
The difference between financial decision-making and decisions about health, medical treatment and where you live
The distinction between a general power of attorney and an enduring power of attorney
Why choosing an attorney requires careful thought and absolute trust
How financial elder abuse can occur through powers of attorney
Why keeping proper accounts and records matters
How relationships and financial circumstances can change over time
What happens if an attorney is suspected of misusing someone’s money
What “loss of capacity” actually means — and why it isn't as straightforward as a diagnosis such as dementia
The relationship between guardianship and advance healthcare planning
Whether an independent professional can be appointed instead of a family member
What to think about before seeing a lawyer to put your estate and incapacity planning in place
The practical takeaway
Julia's advice is simple: think carefully about who you appoint.
Before meeting with a lawyer, consider who you would trust to represent you if you lost capacity, whether that person should also be your executor after your death, and what arrangements might provide appropriate checks and balances.
It is also worth getting your affairs organised: make a summary of your bank accounts, property, lawyers, accountants and other advisers, keep that information somewhere safe, and make sure the people who may need it know where to find it.
Most importantly, don't assume that putting these documents in place once means you can forget about them. Your relationships, finances and circumstances can change significantly over the years.
Meet Julia Tutt
Julia Tutt is a Senior Associate at de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers, a specialist firm focusing on Wills and Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Estate Litigation.
de Groots has offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and specialises exclusively in Wills and Estate law. 
Visit de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers: degroots.com.au
A note about legal advice
This episode is intended to provide general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Powers of attorney, guardianship, advance healthcare planning and estate planning arrangements differ between Australian states and territories.
If you are considering putting these documents in place, changing them, or are concerned about someone acting under a power of attorney, speak with a suitably qualified lawyer about your individual circumstances.
Rest Easy Knowing
Rest Easy Knowing is about making conversations around death, dying and end-of-life planning a little less daunting — and helping you understand the practical things that can make a difficult time easier for you and the people you love.
Recorded at Emerald Hill Heritage Centre on the traditional lands of the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Fiona pays respects to Elders past and present and to all First Nations people listening.
Music by Sapiros.

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We discuss clinical care with CEO of Palliative Care Victoria, Violet Platt 
Many Australians associate palliative care with the final days of life—but that's one of the biggest myths surrounding end-of-life care.
In the first episode of Rest Easy Knowing, Fiona Healy sits down with Violet Platt, CEO of Palliative Care Victoria, to explore what palliative care really is, when it should begin, and why understanding it can transform the experience of living with a life-limiting illness.
Violet dispels common misconceptions, explains how palliative care focuses on quality of life rather than giving up hope, and offers practical insights into what families can expect as someone approaches the end of life. Together, they discuss the natural dying process, why advance planning matters, and how honest conversations can help people make informed decisions about the care they want.
Whether you're supporting a loved one, planning for the future, or simply curious about one of life's universal experiences, this episode provides reassurance, practical advice and a compassionate introduction to palliative care.
In this episode:
What palliative care is—and what it isn't
Why palliative care isn't just for people with cancer or the final days of life
The biggest myths surrounding palliative care
How palliative care improves quality of life
Signs that someone may be approaching the end of life
What families can expect during the natural dying process
How pain, agitation and other symptoms can be managed
Supporting family members through difficult decisions
Why planning ahead creates more choice, comfort and peace of mind
Why, as Violet says, "dying is natural... it isn't something to fear, but it is something to plan for."
About our guest
Violet Platt is the Chief Executive Officer of Palliative Care Victoria, the peak body representing palliative care services across Victoria. With decades of clinical and leadership experience, Violet is a passionate advocate for improving access to quality palliative care and helping Australians better understand what compassionate end-of-life care looks like.
Resources
Palliative Care Victoria
https://www.pallcarevic.asn.au
Advance Care Planning Australia
https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au
Palliative Care Australia
https://palliativecare.org.au
About Rest Easy Knowing
Rest Easy Knowing is a podcast helping Australians better understand death, dying and grief through conversations with recognised leaders in palliative care, grief, law, funeral care and advance care planning.
Hosted by Fiona Healy, each episode asks the questions many Australians don't know to ask—until they're faced with one of life's most challenging moments.
If you found this episode valuable, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with your family and friends. Together, we can help normalise conversations about death and empower more Australians to make informed end-of-life decisions.