Funeral Information

You might be feeling overwhelmed by the daunting task of organising a fitting farewell for your loved one. There are so many details involved, so many decisions to be made. It’s hard and it’s confusing, but we’re here to lend a helping hand.

We’ve curated a list of the most commonly asked questions about funerals and our advice to help give you an idea of what the process entails. We appreciate that this is an emotional and painful time. Should you need to speak to us to discuss your options, our Funeral Director, Andy, is here to guide you through each step of the process. CONTACT US

What’s the first thing to do when someone dies?

Depending on how and where your loved one passes, the steps you need to take might vary, but as soon as the doctor has confirmed the cause of death, give us a call at 1300 846 326. Our Funeral Director, Andy, will be here to walk you through the process.

At home

If the passing occurs at home, your first point of contact is your loved one’s doctor, preferably the same doctor who’s been treating them regularly and is familiar with their medical history. If the doctor can confirm the cause of death, they can issue a medical cause of death. Once you’ve contacted the doctor, your next call should be to us so that we can make the necessary arrangements to transfer the deceased into our care at the right time.

In a hospital or nursing home

The Director of Nursing, Sister or Nurse in Charge will make arrangements for the doctor to issue a medical cause of death. Please contact us at your earliest convenience so that we can begin coordinating with the hospital or nursing home for the necessary next steps.

A sudden or unexpected death

In the event of a sudden or accidental death where the cause of death can’t be confirmed, it is the doctor’s responsibility to notify the police. Under these circumstances, the deceased should not be moved or disturbed without the Coroner’s permission.

The police will arrange for a government-appointed funeral contractor to transfer the deceased to the Coroner’s mortuary where there will be an investigation to determine the cause of death. A post-mortem might be required, which might delay the funeral arrangements.

You are well within your rights to appoint an independent funeral director to attend to the deceased and make the necessary arrangements on your behalf. If this is your preference, please contact us at your earliest convenience so that we can liaise with the Coroner’s Court on your behalf and see to the next steps.

Interstate or overseas

In the event that the passing occurs interstate or overseas, please get in touch with us immediately so we can make arrangements to transport your loved one home and attend to the necessary legal, statutory or customs requirements. If it was your loved one’s wish to be buried in their homeland, please get in touch with us. We’ll take care of the tedious process of liaising with government departments and processing the necessary documentation on your behalf.

How much does a funeral cost?

There are many considerations involved in planning a funeral: burial vs cremation, funeral venue, service, catering. The costs can vary considerably depending on how simple or elaborate you’d like it to be. We offer a choice of standard packages as well as the option for a custom funeral for specific needs and requirements. Please call us at 1300 846 326 to discuss your options.

What are the main components of the cost of a funeral?

As a general rule, the cost of a funeral is made up of the following primary components:

The coffin or casket
Funeral Director’s fees – this includes professional fees for staff, facilities, equipment, and transportation
Burial or Cremation fees

It is regular practice for the cemetery or cremation costs and disbursements such as doctor’s fees, clergy or celebrant fees, registration costs, press notices, flowers, etc to be included in the account on top of the funeral company’s Professional Service Fees.

Following your planning meeting with us, you’ll be provided with an estimate of the funeral costs where you’ll be asked to make a deposit payment to cover the necessary disbursements. We’ll work with you to put together a funeral that best meets your needs within your desired budget.

What is the difference between a coffin and a casket?

While both coffins and caskets are used for the same function – to transport a deceased person to their funeral – they differ in design. Coffins are generally tapered at the head and foot, wider at the shoulders, and come with a removable lid, while caskets are rectangular in shape with a lid that’s usually hinged at the base. Coffins are usually made from timber while caskets can be made from timber or metal.

What does a Funeral Director do?

A Funeral Director provides professional care to the deceased and support and guidance to the families and loved ones who need to arrange a funeral for their dearly departed. There are many details and decisions involved in the process. The Funeral Director’s job is to guide you through the options to put together a ceremony that’s most suited to your needs.

Decisions to be made include the following:

Burial or cremation
Day, time, and venue of the service
Will the service be led by a member of the clergy, a celebrant, family member or friend?
Should there be a viewing?
Coffin or casket? What kind?
Who will the pallbearers be?
What kind of music do you want to play?
Who will deliver the eulogy?
What kind of flowers?
Should there be an obituary? Which newspapers should it be in?
What can you do to personalise the ceremony?
Would you like to offer the option for donations to charities in honour of your loved one?

How to decide on the right Funeral Director?

On top of having the necessary experience in planning funerals, the most important thing to look for in a funeral director is how comfortable you feel discussing your needs with them. Take the opportunity to ask plenty of questions during your initial meeting with them to get a better idea of their approach, the services they offer, and how flexible they are in meeting your funeral requirements. It might be a good idea to get a few quotes for comparison purposes. You don’t have to decide on the spot. Take the time to weigh your options.

What does the Funeral Director’s Professional Service fee cover?

From the moment you engage us, we’ll take care of the A to Z of the entire funeral planning and organising process. We’ll do as much or as little as you need us to.

Our professional service fee covers the following:

Personal and prompt round-the-clock support from our staff
Transfer of your loved one from the place of death to our funeral home
Personal consultation with you and your family in the comfort of your home regarding the funeral arrangements and details of the service
Liaising with the cemetery of your choice on your behalf
Making all necessary arrangements with the church, chapel or venue of your choice
Registration of death with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Consulting with the clergy or celebrant
Wording and placement of press notices
Collection of medical certificates and dispatch to appropriate authorities
Use of our private family viewing facilities
Special arrangements for an environmentally friendly funeral
Supply of hearse and other funeral vehicles
Liaising with florists, arranging the collection and return of floral tribute cards
Organisation of music or coordinating with the musician(s) of your choice
Preparation of your loved one for viewing
Transporting your loved one to the funeral venue on the day of the funeral and afterwards to the gravesite or crematorium
Conducting the funeral service
Taking care of your family on the day of the service

Does a burial cost more than cremation?

As a general rule, cremation tends to cost less than a burial as the latter usually includes the added cost of erecting a headstone over a grave. There are exceptions to the rule of course.

What is embalming?

Embalming is the process of preserving the human body to delay decomposition, generally for public or private viewing as part of the funeral ceremony. It is a common practice in the following situations:

When there is an extended delay between death and the funeral.
To facilitate transfer of the deceased overseas or interstate.
For above ground burials in a crypt or vault.
To improve the appearance of the deceased for a viewing.

What does an environmentally friendly funeral entail?

There are many things to consider when making a funeral sustainable. Many decisions go into making it possible: burial, preparing the deceased for burial, how the service is run, right down to where the flowers are bought and how printing is done.

There are many options for organising an environmentally friendly funeral. Some of them include:

Eco-friendly coffins and shrouds
Biodegradable attire for your dearly departed
Natural burial grounds
Online death and funeral notices
Memorial stationery & programmes printed with soy-based inks on recycled paper
Organically grown flowers or wildflowers
Catering & refreshments from organic F&B providers
Eco-Friendly Coffins & Caskets

Examples include willow burial trays, willow caskets, bio-board caskets, sustainably-grown pine coffins, and more.

Eco-Friendly Shrouds

Typically made from cotton or unbleached calico, these eco-friendly shrouds are used to wrap your loved one before they are placed in a wicker or timber burial tray for the service.

Natural Burial Grounds

There are a number of cemeteries in Victoria that cater for natural burials. Please contact us to discuss your options for arranging a suitable natural burial for your loved one.

Should you have a viewing?

This is a very personal decision. Having a viewing can be very emotional but it can also help to provide closure to loved ones and give them a chance to say a final good-bye. Viewings are usually held for just a few minutes prior to the funeral service but an extended viewing can also be arranged if needed.

Does the funeral need to be held within a specific timeframe?

Certain cultures stipulate that a funeral should take place within 48 hours of the passing. Nevertheless, you should take your time to consider your options and to process the shock. It’s more important to make the right decisions for a fitting funeral where family and friends from out of state can be there to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects.

What is a ‘normal’ timeframe for grieving?

Different people grieve in different ways and process it in their own time. Our relationship to the deceased, the death of a child, a traumatic death such as a murder or suicide: all these factors and more, affect one’s level of grief and the complex emotions one experiences in the mourning process. Unresolved issues with the deceased can also cause a prolonged and conflicted healing process. For grief counselling and support, please contact GriefLine for free counselling services within Australia.

Why does the conversation get awkward when I talk about the deceased?

Most people struggle to say the right thing to someone dealing with loss and grief. Very often, they’re afraid of saying something that could be interpreted as insensitive or offensive, so they end up distancing themselves and avoiding the subject. It might help to seek out those who are ready to lend a listening ear and to be there to hold your hand instead.