Below is a guide of what to expect and things to consider when planning a funeral. We have the experience to help guide you and assist you through this difficult time. We can be contacted anytime on (02) 4722 8222.
Often your loved one may have already expressed a preference towards either being buried or cremated. Some may already have a burial plot or cremation niche. Other families will need to make the decision for their loved ones and we are here to help discuss through the costs and options.
Was the deceased Religious and wanted a service in a Church? If so, we have strong relationships with many clergy and churches parishes.
For a Non-Religious service using a Civil Celebrant, there are many options such as Memorial Park Chapels such as Pinegrove Memorial Park. There may also be other venues that may reflect your loved one’s life. We have conducted services on the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler, Sydney Dragway, The Sydney International Regatta Centre, Twin Creeks Golf Club, Castlereagh Hall to name a few.
Whether your loved one was a simple no fuss kind of person or someone who loved the finer things in life, we have a large range of quality coffins and caskets for you to choose from. There are many different colour options, styles and ornamentation available. We will help you make these decisions without any upselling.
We work with a very experienced florist who can personalise your floral choices. Our florist personally goes to the markets early in the morning to choose the best quality flowers. You may wish to have Roses, mixed seasonal flowers in your choice of colours, Australian Natives (when available), single stem flowers for floral tributes etc. Our florist has even created a casket cover created out of vegetables. We will guide you in what may work with your coffin or casket choice.
Many families choose to have a personalised Order of Service. A professionally designed and printed Order of Service is a lovely keepsake for those attending. We can organise for you to meet with our supplier and together you can create something special. Catholic Mass Booklets and Holy Cards can also be arranged. If you are interested, we can show you some samples and provide you with costings.
Photo slideshows are very popular and a good way to capture special memories. The slideshow is usually played during the reflection time of the service and is typically one song in length and contains around 40 photos. We can organise for our supplier to come meet with you, scan photos and embed music to make a special visual tribute.
So much emotion is expressed through music. There are several opportunities during the funeral service where music can be played. For instance, on entrance, during reflection time, floral tributes, exiting the service and if relevant at the graveside. You may choose a singer, musician, bagpiper or that favourite song from your loved one’s CD collection.
If you are having a Catholic Mass, we recommend that you consider a singer. We regularly work with professional and experienced vocalists and musicians who are familiar with the Catholic Rites and tradition, as well as hymns and appropriate Mass settings.
You may wish to place a Funeral and Death Notice in the Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, or other newspaper. This is not something that is legally required. Please also note that we do offer, free of charge, an online memorial containing all the funeral details which can be shared to family and friends.
If you choose to have a viewing and do so on the day of the service at the service location, there is no additional charge. If you would like a viewing on a separate day, this can be arranged but will incur a charge. Viewings are a very personal choice, and we are here to accommodate your wishes.
You may wish to consider if anyone would like to participate in the service by way of being a pallbearer. You can have up to six bearers. We will discuss with you all the options.
NSW Births Deaths and Marriages requires information to register a death and provide a Death Certificate. Often much of this information is contained on the Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate of the deceased. If you have these, please bring them along but it is not crucial but will help.
We will clearly explain all our charges to you. We will include any personal tributes you have chosen and give you a total cost including GST. No deposit is required.
If you are happy with all we have discussed, then it is time to sign the relevant paperwork. This includes our Authority Form to carry out the funeral, Hospital Authority Form for your loved one to be taken into our care and an Application for Cremation (if cremation). Once these are all signed, we can start making all your wishes come together and you can breathe a sigh of relief that everything is in good hands.