Tender Funerals to expand its affordable funeral model around Australia
Jenny Briscoe-Hough was managing a neighbourhood centre in the Illawarra region of NSW when she noticed many locals were going into debt to pay for a loved one’s funeral. An average Australian funeral costs around $6,000 and can cost as much as $20,000. This can be a devastating shock, especially to someone on a low income, and can take years to repay. Jenny had an idea for a social enterprise business model to provide affordable and culturally sensitive funerals.
In 2014, Tender featured in an ABC-TV documentary and Jenny’s idea gathered momentum. The start-up received overwhelming support via a crowdfunding campaign, then the second largest in Australia. To complete the puzzle, it became important for Tender to find mission-aligned partners that could fill the gap to support its start-up phase.
Sefa’s support
A loan from Sefa assisted with the purchase of an old fire station, and a grant from Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation enabled the conversion of the building into a mortuary. Sefa supported Tender in validating their business plan and financial model that led to a sustainable funding solution. Tender Funerals launched as a not-for-profit, community-led funeral service in Port Kembla in 2016. Their aim: to foster an informed, community empowered, and supported offering for all aspects of end of life. Most importantly, Tender doesn’t leave community members with a large debt. A Tender Funeral costs between $2,500 - $4,500.
Demand for Tender grows
Since Tender’s launch they have worked with over 600 families, and their communities, to provide affordable and authentic funerals. During this time, word has spread, and other communities around Australia have contacted Tender about establishing their own community-led funeral service. In partnership with SVA Consulting and supported by the Catalyst Foundation, Sefa provided investment readiness services for Tender to develop a licensing social business model. The idea is for Tender to create a central hub that provides set-up and ongoing support to local community sites.
The first location for this franchise style model is in the Mid North Coast of NSW. A location has been found in Wauchope and a team of volunteers is working towards a launch in mid-2021. This group has run a successful crowdfunding campaign bringing together 200 supporters and raising more than $30,000 to support the gap in grants and loans already provided.
Sefa’s relationship with Tender Funerals continues
Social Finance Relationship Manger, Luisa Muller, has been working with Tender since she began with Sefa at the start of this year. Recently she visited Tender Funerals in Port Kembla to witness one of their funerals first-hand. Luisa caught up with Sefa’s Communications Manager to reflect on her experiences with Tender.
When were you first introduced to Tender Funerals and what were your first impressions?
It was clear from the beginning their goal was to provide affordable funerals for as many people as possible. Every time we talked about financials, for example, the final price to their clients was the sensitive point for them – it needed to be as affordable as possible. When considering other sites, they would envision a broad catchment area to be able to reach the most disadvantaged communities.
What have you been working on with Tender?
I have been supporting them with their capital structure, helping them with their financial model, and donations and grants from philanthropic partners.
How did you find the experience of a Tender funeral?
I had an immersion experience at Tender Funerals in Port Kembla. I was impressed by the care Tender collaborators (many of them volunteers) take with grieving families and their deceased family member. It was touching to see a family member having the opportunity to wash and dress a loved one that just passed away, as a last act of care and love.
Tender understands the deceased person was a loved one, with their very own interests and background. By understanding this, they respect people’s traditions and beliefs while caring for that person.
What’s next for Tender?
Tender is expanding across Australia, to provide access to affordable and respectful funerals to more Australians. The plan is to set up Tender Funerals in the Mid North Coast, Canberra, Tasmania, and six or seven other sites. Their successful crowdfunding campaign for the Mid North Coast is just the beginning. All sites will run their own campaigns. Watch this space!