Planning a Funeral Australia – What to expect

When a loved one dies, it can be difficult to know what to do next.

This article will explain what you can expect when planning a funeral in Australia.

From deciding whether to have a burial or cremation to choosing who will officiate the service, there are many decisions to be made. With the help of Anton Brown Funerals in Brisbane, you can plan a fitting tribute for your loved one.

Funeral wishes of the deceased

When planning a funeral in Australia, the first thing to take into consideration is the wishes of the deceased. This may include their preference for how and where they would like to be laid to rest, the type of service (if any),   any favourite songs they might like played during the farewell and the type of flowers might be appropriate for  a floral arrangement.

Cremation or burial

One of the first questions loved ones will normally decide is whether cremation or burial will happen to the body. The location of the burial or scattered ashes should also be taken into account.  This is a very personal decision there is no right or wrong answer – just personal preference.

Legal considerations

It’s also important to make sure that all legal requirements are met. This includes registering the death and obtaining the necessary permits for burial or cremation. This is something that an experienced funeral director like the team at Anton Brown Funerals can look after for you to lighten the load during this time.

Will there be a service or memorial, if so what type?

When a loved one dies, it is common to have a service or memorial to commemorate their life. There are many decisions that need to be made in order to plan a fitting tribute. The first question is often whether or not there will be a service or memorial. If so, what type of service or memorial will it be? Will it be a religious or non-religious service? If you prefer not to have a non-religious funeral, it may be an option for a funeral director or celebrant to officiate as opposed to a priest or religious leader.

Feeling of the service

The feeling of the funeral service can be overwhelming, but it can also be comforting. The service allows mourners to say goodbye to their loved one and to share their memories with others who are grieving. It can be a helpful step in the journey towards healing.

If cremated they may plan to have a memorial in the future…

A simple and direct cremation may be the simplest and most direct route for families who are not interested in an elaborate funeral service in church or chapel. This type of cremation (also known as a non-attended cremation, cremation only and no-service cremation) is on the rise and has become the most common option in recent years as many families opt to forgo religious ceremonies during the pandemic.

We further explain this in our blog here – what a direct cremation is, what options are part of the arrangement, and the top reasons for choosing this option.

Writing the obituary

Public notice of someone’s passing is often published in a newspaper or online.

Some people may keep this as a memento of the departed. For more information on how to best write an obituary, we have created a blog to guide you.

Viewing

A number of traditional funeral services include a closed or open casket watching, where the guests line up to say goodbye and give their last respects to the departed.

If you are unsure if this is for you, our detailed blog on – What is a viewing may help with this personal choice.

What items will need be included in the service/memorial?

Eulogy 

Those who were extremely close to the deceased person during their lifetime would read a short speech regarding the deceased person and their life. Eulogies may highlight the person’s accomplishments or moral values, and speeches could touch on different subjects. Additionally, more than one eulogy may be given, such as a representative from the family and a representative from an organization the deceased person was involved in. To read more about Eulogy’s, read our in-depth blog – 4 Tips to writing a eulogy.

Readings

Readings are a sentimental way to remember someone.

A Poem or a reading may be read aloud to those assembled, possibly from the book or scriptures that the departed individual enjoyed the most.

Music

Music played during a funeral add to people’s nostalgia and connect to the memory of a loved one.

Those in attendance may sing an individual ‘s favourite song or hymn. Music may be played live by musicians, or you may record it.  You can play music on arrival or departure.

If you would like to play music but you are not sure what songs to pick, we have written a list of popular funeral songs that you may want to consider here.  

Flowers

Flowers, as a visual representation of our emotions, personalise a funeral and offer a touching tribute to the honoured person. Funeral flowers don’t need to be over-the-top, and you don’t need to invest a lot of money on elaborate funeral flower arrangements. For a more extensive look at funeral flowers read here.

Order of service document

Every member of the dedicated Anton Brown Funerals team knows it can get a little difficult to personalise an event. But those little details can truly make it a worthy tribute. To get an idea of how you can personalise a message so you can express how loved and unique the deceased person was to you, we cover 6 ways to personalise a service here including creating an order of service document. 

Slideshow

An audiovisual slideshow presentation of pictures from the person’s life accompanied by a recording of their favourite song can be a meaningful and touching addition to your loved one’s funeral.

Personal touches or items

Decorating your funeral suite or casket with personal items that represent the person’s passions in life, such as favourite sports team’s flags, the artist’s paintbrush and canvas, etc., can be a fantastic method to pay tribute to your loved one.

Reception, wake

This typically is a short and casual service held at the household of the deceased person’s family or another location. Food can be provided by family or those outside of the household. It may be catered to professionally.

In conclusion, when a loved one dies it is important to know what to do next. This article has explained some things you can expect when planning a funeral in Australia so that you can begin to plan the perfect send-off for your loved one.