Where do we begin? – When someone dies the first step is usually to contact the person’s doctor to certify the death. Funeral arrangements can only begin once a doctor has issued a Death Certificate, allowing your chosen funeral director to take the person into their care.
In most cases, medical staff manage this process if the death occurs in a hospital or care facility. However, in sudden or unexpected deaths, police or the Coroner may need to be involved. As regulations vary across states, your funeral director can guide you through what’s required with professionalism and care.
The funeral arrangement is your first meeting with the Funeral Director, usually held at their premises or in your home. It’s typically organised by the Next of Kin. If there’s a Will and a dispute arises, the Executor named in the Will has the legal authority to decide and can appoint someone to act on their behalf, but this is rare. If the person who has died had no known family, a close friend, social worker or authorised person (such as from a hospital or care facility) may make the necessary arrangements.
Your Funeral Director will guide you through the process with care and support, so take your time and ask questions to help make informed decisions. Even the simplest funeral involves a number of important decisions, so it’s helpful not to feel rushed.
A funeral is a time for family and friends to come together – to say goodbye, share memories, and celebrate the life of someone they loved. While it marks a moment of loss, it also offers comfort, connection, and a step forward in the grieving process.
If you’re organising a funeral for the first time, it can feel overwhelming. Your Funeral Director is there to guide and support you, taking care of the arrangements based on your wishes. And every farewell is different. A farewell can be formal or relaxed, incorporating religious or cultural traditions, or simply bringing together family and friends to share stories and memories.
You’ll be asked to consider:
It’s about creating a meaningful and personal farewell that reflects the person who has died and brings comfort to those who remain.
Your Funeral Director is there to gently guide and support you through one of life’s most difficult times. They take care of all the details both seen and unseen so that you and your family can focus on saying goodbye.
Their role is more than just organising logistics. They listen to your wishes, navigate any family dynamics with care, and help bring everything together in a respectful and meaningful way that honours your loved one.
Some of the key things they take care of include:
Behind the scenes, your Funeral Director is a steady and compassionate presence helping everything come together with care and kindness.
The cost of a funeral can vary widely, depending on the choices made by the family much like building a house. Some costs are fixed, like legal paperwork and certificates, while others depend on your preferences. Cremation is not always cheaper than burial especially if the family already holds a grave licence, in which case reopening fees may apply. Because of all these variables, it’s best to speak with your Funeral Director about your wishes to get an accurate estimate.
As a guide the cost of a funeral can be categorised under three main areas and usually includes:
Professional service fees cover the transfer and care of your loved one, coordinating all necessary arrangements, preparing and lodging documentation, registering the death, and conducting the funeral.
Disbursements include things like cemetery or cremation fees, flowers, musicians, catering, audio-visual equipment, keepsakes, and other personalised touches that the Funeral Director organises at your request. Because of these variables, it’s best to speak with your Funeral Director about your wishes to get an accurate estimate.
It’s important to take your time, ask questions, and make informed decisions. Your funeral director is here to support and help you with your choices. They can suggest very personal elements that you can add to make the farewell unique and meaningful for the person you love which add little or no cost. Members of Funerals Australia are required to provide you with an itemised estimate for all funeral costs and work within your budget.
In Australia, more people are now choosing cremation than burial, especially in cities where crematoriums are easily accessible. In rural and remote areas, burials are more common.
The choice between burial and cremation is a personal one and may also be guided by cultural or religious beliefs. Some traditions prefer or require burial, while others, like Hinduism, usually choose cremation. As cemetery space becomes more limited in some areas, cremation may become even more common in the future. Ultimately, it’s about what feels right for you and your loved ones.
A viewing is a chance for family and friends to spend time with their loved one before the funeral. For some, it brings comfort and helps make the loss feel more real. It can be a private moment to say goodbye, express feelings, or find peace with things left unsaid.
In some cultures, a viewing may happen during the funeral itself. Sometime a viewing is required, such as when the Coroner is involved, for a formal identification.
While a viewing is never compulsory, it’s often considered helpful for the grieving process. It’s a personal choice, and it should be approached with care and sensitivity. Children can be included too, as long as things are explained in ways they can understand and they feel comfortable taking part.
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Contact the person’s doctor as soon as possible. A doctor needs to confirm and certify the death before funeral arrangements can begin. If unavailable, an ambulance officer or nurse can complete a Verification of Death. In most cases, hospitals and care facilities manage this process. For deaths at home or in unusual circumstances, police or the coroner may be involved. Rules vary by state, so check with local authorities if unsure.
If a doctor cannot confirm the cause of death, the police must be notified. They will contact the Coroner, who becomes responsible for investigating the death. This usually happens when:
The deceased will be taken into the care of the Coroner, often by a government-appointed Funeral Transfer Company. A post mortem (also called an autopsy) may be carried out by a pathologist to help determine the cause of death. You can still contact your chosen Funeral Director straight away. They will support you through the process and work with coronial staff to arrange the release and care of your loved one when permitted.
Contact a Funeral Director as soon as possible. Members of Funerals Australia have a wide network of professionals both interstate and overseas who can help facilitate the transportation of your loved one home. They can manage transport, paperwork, and customs requirements. There is usually an extra cost for bringing the deceased back home and your funeral director will explain what is involved and the time frame required.
Usually, the Next of Kin such as a spouse, child, parent or sibling is responsible for making funeral arrangements. If there’s a Will, the named Executor can also appoint someone to arrange the funeral. In rare cases, a social worker or authorised official may take responsibility.
You may need basic information about the deceased including full name, address, gender, occupation, place and date of death. Other information includes parents’ full names and their occupations, marriage or partnership details, details of any children born to the deceased including their full names and dates of birth. Access to a Birth Certificate or Passport, and Marriage Certificate may be useful to check these details if unsure.
Some legal requirements include:
Funeral Directors are there to guide you and offer options, but the final decisions are yours as long as they meet legal requirements. In some cases, if the person had no funds or support, a government-assisted funeral may be arranged, which comes with more limited choices. If you’re unsure, your Funeral Director can provide advice and support.
The key difference lies in whether your loved one is physically present at the gathering. A funeral is a farewell with the coffin present, offering a final chance to say goodbye. A memorial takes place after burial or cremation, focusing on remembrance without the loved one present. Both options offer important opportunities to honour a life and support each other in grief.
Yes, with the right permission, a funeral can be held almost anywhere. While some people choose to hold funerals in special places of cultural or religious significance, they can also take place in a wide range of other meaningful locations. Funerals Australia members have helped families say goodbye in all kinds of meaningful and unique places such as art galleries, shearing sheds, sports ovals, yacht clubs, and family homes or properties.
Australian law generally requires a coffin or casket for both burial and cremation. For cremation, the coffin must be fully combustible. In some states cremation without a coffin may be allowed using a shroud and rigid baseboard instead with approval from health authorities. For burials, regulations vary across the country. While a coffin is usually required, some natural or green burial options may permit shrouded burials, provided local rules are followed. Eco-friendly choices like cardboard, wicker, or bamboo coffins are also legally accepted and suit those wanting a more sustainable or budget-conscious option. Your Funeral Director can guide you through the legal requirements.
Embalming replaces bodily fluids with chemicals to preserve the body, manage infection, and improve presentation. It may be minimal, partial for the benefit of families wishing to have a viewing or when the funeral may be within a week, or full, depending on cultural needs or when the deceased is to be repatriated interstate or overseas.
The death of a loved one touches everyone in the family, including children and with gentle explanation and support, funerals can help children understand and cope with loss. It also gives them the chance to say goodbye in their own way, just like the adults around them. Including them whether through a simple role, placing a flower, or just being present can be a meaningful step in their healing. Your Funeral Director can also suggest other ways to involve children before, during or after the funeral itself.
Cremated remains often referred to as ashes are what is returned to the family after a person has been cremated. The cremation process takes place in a specialised facility where, through intense heat, the body is gently reduced to bone fragments. These are then carefully processed into a fine, sand-like texture and placed in a container or urn chosen by the family.
Your funeral director helps complete the details for the Registration of Death. This registration is completed with Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) in the State or Territory in which your loved one died, and BDM then issue the official Death Certificate once the registration has been processed and completed. The timeframe is different in each state or territory and depends on their requirements. Your Funeral Director will advise you of the expected receipt of this important document.