# Funeral Commons > Funeral Commons is a funeral social enterprise for people and planet. We help families arrange affordable, natural burials in peaceful bushland, and create meaningful, personal funerals with clear guidance, transparent pricing and environmentally responsible choices - without unnecessary fuss, confusion or pressure. Available 24/7 on 0432 833 155. ## Who we are Founder Olivia Andrews is a funeral director, celebrant and PACFA Clinical Registrant specialising in palliative and bereavement psychotherapy, based in Sydney's Inner West. Through her work as a funeral director, celebrant, counsellor and psychotherapist, she became increasingly aware of the environmental impact of death and funerals - what happens to our bodies, the materials used, and the way a funeral is arranged can all form part of our final gift to the planet. She founded Funeral Commons to offer families a personal and participatory approach to funeral care, while making lower-impact choices easier to understand and access. Our purpose is simple: to make sustainable death care accessible to every body. ### Why "Commons"? "Funeral" explains what we do. "Commons" explains why we exist. A commons is something shared and cared for collectively. For Funeral Commons, it means sharing knowledge, widening choice, and connecting families with people and services they can trust. Our approach is grounded in Community, Compassion and Connection. Funeral Commons commits to reinvesting the majority of any profits into: - Grief and mental health support - Funeral assistance for families experiencing financial hardship - Environmental regeneration ### Our impact - **Environmental regeneration**: Restoring and protecting the land where farewells take place. - **Grief and mental health support**: Continued, subsidised care for families after the funeral. - **Funeral assistance for hardship**: Helping families experiencing financial hardship give a dignified farewell. ### Advisory Board The Funeral Commons Advisory Board brings together experience across funeral care, death literacy, environmental sustainability, public policy, community engagement and governance. It provides advice, constructive challenge and accountability as Funeral Commons develops. Olivia Andrews and Danni Petkovic (mortality doula, founder of Liminal Being) serve on the board alongside Rebecca Lyons (end-of-life doula, independent funeral director and author of *A Heartfelt Undertaking*, President of the Natural Death Advocacy Network), Faye Woodward (funeral director, celebrant and environmental scientist) and Andrea Fernandes (public policy and community engagement specialist). ## What we offer - **Burials**: Burials in cemeteries, natural burial grounds and conservation burial grounds. - **Cremations**: Direct cremation or cremation with a service. - **Planning ahead**: Talk through and document your choices before they are needed. ## How it works 01. **Start with a conversation** - We listen, answer your questions and understand what matters to you. 02. **Understand your choices** - We explain what is required, what is optional and what each choice costs. 03. **Bring everything together** - Your Funeral Carer coordinates the practical details and supports you throughout the arrangements. ## Natural burial We partner with natural and conservation burial grounds. At launch, that begins with Walawaani Way on the South Coast of NSW, and we aim to connect families with more sites over time. Conservation burials avoid embalming chemicals, synthetic materials, plastics, varnishes and concrete vaults - the body is returned to the earth in biodegradable materials, allowing the soil to regenerate. These sites are protected bushland, so a family's choice also supports conservation and land restoration. We also offer carbon offsetting through tree planting at Walawaani Way. Families are welcome to visit after burial; GPS coordinates and location information are provided. ## Pricing Most traditional funeral homes include a professional service fee that can add several thousand dollars, and items like coffins, flowers and transport are often sold with significant mark-ups. Funeral Commons keeps things transparent: families only pay for what they need, and our small platform fee is clear and up-front. As a social enterprise, we reinvest the majority of profit into mental health and grief support, and to help families facing financial hardship. Detailed package pricing is being finalised - in the meantime, [request a free quote](https://www.funeralcommons.org/get-a-quote) for a personalised estimate. ## Frequently asked questions ### What happens if someone dies suddenly at home or in hospital, where do I start? It can feel overwhelming, but you don't need to treat it like an emergency if it's expected. At home: if the death was expected (for example, under palliative care), call the GP or palliative care team, who will confirm the death and issue the necessary paperwork. If unexpected, call 000. In hospital or aged care, staff will arrange for the death to be certified and provide the paperwork. You can call Funeral Commons at any time, immediately or once certification is complete, and we'll explain what to expect and guide you through the process. ### Where are the burial sites located? We partner with natural and conservation burial grounds. At launch, that begins with Walawaani Way on the South Coast of NSW, and we aim to connect families with more sites over time. ### Can I visit the site after the burial? Yes. Families are welcome to visit. Conservation burial grounds are protected bushland, so the area remains natural, peaceful and accessible. GPS coordinates and location info are provided after burial. ### What if I want a simple ceremony? You can choose anything from no ceremony at all, through to a small, simple gathering, or something more involved. The Funeral Commons model means you only pay for what you actually want. ### Can I speak to someone before booking? Absolutely. You can talk to a real person to ask questions, check details, or get guidance before making decisions. ### Can I just have a direct burial, with no extras? That's exactly what we're offering at launch: simple, eco-conscious direct burials at Walawaani Way. No pressure, no upselling, just the essentials done well. ### How come Funeral Commons is so much more affordable than a traditional funeral? Most funeral homes include a professional service fee that can add several thousand dollars, and items like coffins, flowers and transport are often sold with significant mark-ups. We keep things transparent: you only pay for what you need, and our small platform fee is clear and up-front. As a social enterprise, we reinvest the majority of our profit into mental health and grief support, and to help families facing financial hardship. ### What about cremation? Cremation isn't available directly through Funeral Commons yet. We can connect you with trusted partners who operate as sustainably as possible, and offer the option to offset the impact of cremation by planting trees at Walawaani Way. ### What about sustainability? Conservation burials avoid embalming chemicals, synthetic materials, plastics, varnishes and concrete vaults. The body is returned to the earth in biodegradable materials, allowing the soil to regenerate. Natural burial grounds are protected bushland, so your choice also supports conservation and land restoration. We also offer carbon offsetting through tree planting at Walawaani Way. ### Can I choose human composting instead of burial or cremation? Not yet in Australia. Human composting (natural organic reduction) is legal in parts of the US but hasn't been introduced here yet. Funeral Commons actively supports this change and will provide the service as soon as it becomes available. ### Who looks after my person? All care is provided by experienced funeral professionals who work with Funeral Commons. They handle transport, preparation and paperwork with dignity and transparency. ### How is Funeral Commons different? Funeral Commons is independent, we're not part of a large corporate group. Families stay in control, and providers are chosen for their values and professionalism. ### Are your prices inclusive of GST? Our final prices include all supplier costs and applicable taxes and levies (e.g. cemetery fees). Funeral Commons' own fees are not subject to GST at this time. ## Pages - [Home](https://www.funeralcommons.org/): Overview of Funeral Commons and natural burial care. - [About Us](https://www.funeralcommons.org/about-us): Our story, our people and our Advisory Board. - [Pricing](https://www.funeralcommons.org/pricing): Pricing information for natural burial packages. - [Get a Quote](https://www.funeralcommons.org/get-a-quote): Request a personalised quote. - [FAQ](https://www.funeralcommons.org/faq): Answers to common questions about natural burial, costs and planning ahead. - [Events](https://www.funeralcommons.org/events): Upcoming events and community gatherings. - [Contact](https://www.funeralcommons.org/contact): Get in touch with Funeral Commons. - [Blog](https://www.funeralcommons.org/blog): Articles and updates from Funeral Commons. ## Policies - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.funeralcommons.org/terms) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.funeralcommons.org/privacy)