Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about funerals in Australia and their corresponding answers: |
NOTE: The word 'funeral' may refer to either funerals or memorials in the following FAQs:
1. QUESTION: What's the difference between a funeral and memorial?
ANSWER: A funeral is usually held soon after someone dies and the body, in a coffin or shroud, is present, whereas a memorial is more flexible and can be held days, weeks or even months after burial or cremation.
2. QUESTION: Must funerals be expensive to be meaningful?
ANSWER: Funerals do not need to be costly to be authentic and meaningful. Using a hand-decorated shroud instead of an expensive coffin; holding a ceremony in a meaningful location, or a heartfelt home gathering are some simple and personal ways to honour and remember your person. Read my January blog for more ideas n how to personalise.
3. QUESTION: Do I have to use a Funeral Director for all arrangements?
ANSWER: Families can manage all aspects of a funeral themselves, provided they meet the legal requirements for registering the death and caring for the body. Alternatively, they can choose to engage a funeral director for specific services, such as transporting or storage of the body.
4. QUESTION: Do I need to use a Funeral Director's 'in-house' celebrant?
ANSWER: Families are under no obligation to use a funeral director’s in-house celebrant. They are free to choose any celebrant they feel best suits their needs. Many independent funeral celebrants can be found through their website or sociall media.
5. QUESTION: Do funerals need to be held in a Funeral Director, Memorial Park or Cemetery chapel or church?
ANSWER: Funerals can be held anywhere, such as a private home, park, beach, community hall, or any place that is meaningful too your person as long as legal and safety considerations are met.
6. QUESTION: Must I be buried or cremated in a coffin?
ANSWER: In Australia, burial or cremation in a coffin is not mandatory. Many cemeteries allow the use of a shroud or biodegradable container. Similarly, cremation can be performed with the body wrapped in a shroud, provided a rigid base, often called a shroud bearer is used. These options provide flexibility, are more affordable and eco-friendly.
7. QUESTION: Are traditional cremation and burial my only options?
ANSWER: While traditional cremation or burial are common choices, they are not the only options. Natural Burial, Alkaline Hydrolysis (water cremation), and family-led home funerals offer alternative approaches that can be more eco-friendly, affordable, or aligned with personal values. These options provide flexibility and the opportunity to create a more unique and meaningful farewell. (Click on the individual links above to find out more...)
8. QUESTION: Can I only use the cemetery in my local council area?
ANSWER: You can choose any cemetery in Australia - additional repatriation fees will apply for interstate burial. Your person can even be repatriated to their country of origin.
9. QUESTION: Is embalming required by law?
ANSWER: Embalming is not legally required in most situations in Australia. It is usually only necessary for international repatriation or burial in an above ground crypt.
10. QUESTION: Must a funeral occur within a week of the death?
ANSWER: There is no legal requirement for how soon a funeral must happen. Families can take the time they need for planning, especially if waiting for family members to travel.
11. QUESTION: Do I have to wear black to a funeral?
ANSWER: Dress codes for funerals are very flexible and can reflect the personality and wishes of your person.
Some misconceptions stem from outdated customs and understanding the facts helps you make decisions that reflect your needs. This information may encourage you to consider alternative funeral options.
Need your questions answered? Contact me now!
ANSWER: A funeral is usually held soon after someone dies and the body, in a coffin or shroud, is present, whereas a memorial is more flexible and can be held days, weeks or even months after burial or cremation.
2. QUESTION: Must funerals be expensive to be meaningful?
ANSWER: Funerals do not need to be costly to be authentic and meaningful. Using a hand-decorated shroud instead of an expensive coffin; holding a ceremony in a meaningful location, or a heartfelt home gathering are some simple and personal ways to honour and remember your person. Read my January blog for more ideas n how to personalise.
3. QUESTION: Do I have to use a Funeral Director for all arrangements?
ANSWER: Families can manage all aspects of a funeral themselves, provided they meet the legal requirements for registering the death and caring for the body. Alternatively, they can choose to engage a funeral director for specific services, such as transporting or storage of the body.
4. QUESTION: Do I need to use a Funeral Director's 'in-house' celebrant?
ANSWER: Families are under no obligation to use a funeral director’s in-house celebrant. They are free to choose any celebrant they feel best suits their needs. Many independent funeral celebrants can be found through their website or sociall media.
5. QUESTION: Do funerals need to be held in a Funeral Director, Memorial Park or Cemetery chapel or church?
ANSWER: Funerals can be held anywhere, such as a private home, park, beach, community hall, or any place that is meaningful too your person as long as legal and safety considerations are met.
6. QUESTION: Must I be buried or cremated in a coffin?
ANSWER: In Australia, burial or cremation in a coffin is not mandatory. Many cemeteries allow the use of a shroud or biodegradable container. Similarly, cremation can be performed with the body wrapped in a shroud, provided a rigid base, often called a shroud bearer is used. These options provide flexibility, are more affordable and eco-friendly.
7. QUESTION: Are traditional cremation and burial my only options?
ANSWER: While traditional cremation or burial are common choices, they are not the only options. Natural Burial, Alkaline Hydrolysis (water cremation), and family-led home funerals offer alternative approaches that can be more eco-friendly, affordable, or aligned with personal values. These options provide flexibility and the opportunity to create a more unique and meaningful farewell. (Click on the individual links above to find out more...)
8. QUESTION: Can I only use the cemetery in my local council area?
ANSWER: You can choose any cemetery in Australia - additional repatriation fees will apply for interstate burial. Your person can even be repatriated to their country of origin.
9. QUESTION: Is embalming required by law?
ANSWER: Embalming is not legally required in most situations in Australia. It is usually only necessary for international repatriation or burial in an above ground crypt.
10. QUESTION: Must a funeral occur within a week of the death?
ANSWER: There is no legal requirement for how soon a funeral must happen. Families can take the time they need for planning, especially if waiting for family members to travel.
11. QUESTION: Do I have to wear black to a funeral?
ANSWER: Dress codes for funerals are very flexible and can reflect the personality and wishes of your person.
Some misconceptions stem from outdated customs and understanding the facts helps you make decisions that reflect your needs. This information may encourage you to consider alternative funeral options.
Need your questions answered? Contact me now!
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