When someone you love passes away, the last thing you want is a service that feels generic. You want something that actually reflects who they were. The good news is that most families have far more flexibility than they realise and personalisation rarely means expensive. Whether you choose one meaningful touch or several, small gestures can transform a service into something genuinely memorable.
If you are arranging a funeral right now, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. That is completely understandable. At Anton Brown Funerals, we guide families through every option at their own pace, helping you shape a service that honours the person you have lost without adding unnecessary pressure. If you would like to talk through ideas, we are here.
From a handwritten order of service booklet to a coffin painted by grandchildren, here are eight ways personalised funerals can reflect a life well lived.
1. Order of service booklets
An order of service booklet gives guests something tangible to hold and take home. It can be as simple or as detailed as you like, featuring photos, favourite quotes, a poem, a short biography, or the words to a hymn or song so guests can sing along.
Design styles range from a clean, minimalist layout to something more personal, such as a design built around a hobby, a sporting team’s colours, or a favourite place. Digital versions are also available for families who prefer an online keepsake or need to share details with guests attending via livestream.
Many families are surprised to learn that booklets can often be prepared in just a day or two when needed at short notice. The key is getting us a few photos and a rough outline of the service early in the process. We can handle the rest including design work and printing.
2. Visual presentations and slideshows
A photo slideshow or video tribute running during the service is one of the most moving ways to bring a life to the screen. Watching someone’s story unfold in images, set to music they loved, creates a shared moment that words alone can rarely express.
Families typically gather photos from phones, albums, or old printed collections, and we compile them into a presentation. There is no strict format required. A typical slideshow runs anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, depending on the number of photos and the pace you prefer.
If someone cannot attend in person, they can pre-record a short video tribute from home that plays as part of the service. We have had family members join from interstate or overseas this way, and the impact is always significant.
3. Music
Music sets the emotional tone of a service more than almost anything else. It also tends to be where families feel most free to let personality shine through.
There is no rule that says a funeral must feature hymns. We have helped families choose everything from a country song their dad played every Sunday morning, to a jazz track their mother had danced to on her wedding day, to a rock anthem from someone’s younger days. For inspiration, read our list of popular funeral songs.
You can choose music for the entry, during the service, and as guests leave. If a particular recording is not available on a standard streaming platform, we can usually source it through other means. Live performance is also possible at some venues if you have a musician in the family or community who would like to play.
4. A memory table or tribute display
A memory table is a display set up near the entrance or within the service space, giving guests a place to pause, reflect, and remember. Items might include framed photos, a favourite book, a footy scarf, a pair of gardening gloves, a collection of fishing lures, or any object that instantly says something true about who this person was.
One family brought in their father’s woodworking tools and arranged them around a photo of him in his workshop. Guests spent most of the reception gathered around that table, sharing stories and sparking conversations that would not have happened otherwise.
We set the table up for you before guests arrive. You can drop items off ahead of time or bring them on the morning of the service. After the service, all items are returned to the family. There is no cost involved beyond the items themselves, making this one of the most meaningful and budget-friendly touches available.
5. Coffin personalisation
The coffin does not need to be plain. Families can place meaningful items on top or inside the coffin, including a flag for a veteran, fresh flowers from the garden, a child’s drawing, or a beloved toy. One important note: if cremation is planned, no batteries or electronic components can be placed inside or on the coffin. We will always let you know what is and is not suitable depending on the arrangements.
Families also have the option to have the coffin delivered ahead of the service so grandchildren, family members, or close friends can write messages, draw pictures, or paint directly on the timber. The coffin is then returned in time for the service.
This is particularly meaningful for children. Being given a real way to say goodbye, one that involves their hands and their words, can be enormously comforting.
6. Flowers
Flowers remain one of the most traditional and meaningful ways to personalise a service, and they do not have to come from a florist’s standard catalogue. Families can choose arrangements that reflect the person’s favourite colours, their garden, or a flower with particular significance.
Native Australian arrangements have grown increasingly popular, particularly for people who loved the bush or lived in regional areas. Wildflowers, banksia, and grevillea create something quite different from a traditional arrangement and often feel more personal.
If the deceased had a garden, flowers or foliage cut from that garden and woven into the arrangement can be a beautiful and cost-free addition. Families can also source their own flowers entirely, which significantly reduces cost.
For families who prefer to direct the sentiment elsewhere, a charitable donation box placed near the entrance or included in the order of service is a widely accepted alternative. Many families choose a cause closely connected to the person who has died, such as a cancer research charity, an animal rescue organisation, or a local community group. We can help you set this up and include clear instructions for guests.
7. Livestreaming
Livestreaming has become a genuinely important option, particularly for families with loved ones who cannot travel due to distance, health, or age. Rather than missing the service entirely, they can watch in real time from wherever they are in the world.
We use a secure, private link shared only with invited guests, which means there are no concerns about the service being publicly accessible. A recording is also made available afterwards so that guests in different time zones, or those who experienced technical difficulties, can watch later.
Families often find that livestreaming reduces guilt around not being able to attend and allows the service to truly bring people together, regardless of geography. If you are expecting guests from interstate or overseas, it is worth asking us about this option early so we can set it up properly.
8. Military honours, cultural traditions, and post-service catering
Military honours: For veterans or serving members of the armed forces, a formal farewell with military honours can be arranged. This might include a poppy service, a flag presentation, or acknowledgement of medals and service. We have experience coordinating these elements respectfully and will ensure the right protocols are followed. If the deceased was a veteran and you would like to incorporate this, let us know early so we can make the appropriate arrangements.
Cultural and religious inclusions: Personalised funerals are not limited to secular touches. Many families wish to incorporate specific cultural rituals, religious prayers, or community traditions that reflect the person’s heritage and beliefs. We work with families of all backgrounds and are experienced in accommodating a wide range of cultural and religious requirements, including those that may seem less common. Nothing is off the table as a starting point.
Post-service catering: A gathering after the service gives people time to share memories in a more relaxed setting. This does not need to be elaborate. A simple afternoon tea, a favourite dish the person used to make, or even a spread from their favourite local bakery can make the occasion feel personal and warm. We can help connect you with catering options or accommodate arrangements you make yourself.
For those planning ahead
If you are pre-planning your own funeral, everything in this article can be documented and set aside now, so your family is spared the pressure of making these decisions in grief. Pre-planning does not mean locking yourself in permanently. It simply gives your loved ones a clear starting point and the reassurance that your wishes are known.
Many people find the process surprisingly comforting. Having your music choices written down, knowing which photos you want used, deciding whether you would like flowers or donations, all of it takes weight off the people who love you. We are happy to sit with you, answer questions, and record your preferences without any obligation.
Start the conversation with Anton Brown Funerals
You do not need to arrive at our door with a plan. Most families do not. Our role is to ask the right questions and help you find the answers, including things you may not have considered that would have be the right fit for you.
We are an independent funeral director, which means we are not bound by the fixed packages or rigid formats that larger corporate providers rely on. If you have an idea, we will tell you honestly whether it is achievable and how to make it work. If you have a supplier you prefer, a florist, a caterer, or a particular musician, we are happy to coordinate with them as long as they can deliver on time.
When you are ready to talk, we are here. Contact the team at Anton Brown Funerals and let us help you create a farewell that genuinely reflects the person you have lost.
Personalised funeral FAQs
Does personalising a funeral make it significantly more expensive?
Not necessarily. Many of the most meaningful touches cost very little or nothing at all. A memory table, a handwritten message on the coffin, flowers from a home garden, a personally compiled photo slideshow, and a chosen playlist are all low-cost options. Where additional costs do apply, such as with printed order of service booklets or catering, we will always be transparent about pricing upfront so there are no surprises.
Can we personalise a funeral even when arrangements need to be made quickly?
Yes. Most personalisation options, including music, photo slideshows, order of service booklets, and memory table items, can be organised within a very short timeframe. We have helped families incorporate meaningful personal touches even when a service has been arranged in under 48 hours. Just let us know what matters most and we will work around your timeline.
Can the service be held somewhere other than a funeral chapel?
Yes. Personalised funerals can take place in a variety of locations, including parks, private properties, sporting clubs, community halls, and other meaningful venues. We are not limited to a single chapel or venue. If there is a place that held significance for your loved one, it is worth raising with us. We will let you know what is practically possible and help you make it work.
What if we want to include a cultural or religious tradition that is less common?
We welcome it. We have experience working with families from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds and can accommodate traditions that may seem unusual to others. If there are specific requirements, the earlier you let us know the better, but we will always do our best regardless of timing.
Can children be involved in the service in a meaningful way?
Absolutely. Involving children appropriately can be one of the most comforting experiences for them and for the adults around them. Writing or drawing on the coffin, placing a flower, reading a short poem, or helping carry a memory table item are all gentle ways to include younger family members. We can suggest options based on the ages involved and the tone of the service.
