The time following the death of a loved one can be overwhelming.

A funeral is an important occasion for family and friends to honour the life of the deceased person, and to share their grief.

In all Australian states it is not illegal for an individual to organise a funeral, burial or cremation, themselves, as long as they comply with the relevant local government and health regulations and legal requirements.

However, the process is complex, demanding and involves specialised resources that may be difficult to access.  The role of the funeral director is to provide advice and information about the options available to you when planning a funeral, and assist with many practical tasks following the death of a loved one including:

  • transportation of the deceased person from the place of death to the funeral home
  • implementing your choices regarding the funeral service and disposition of the body
  • applying for a death certificate

Still many aspects of a funeral service, such as flowers, music, poems/readings, the eulogy and choosing a funeral celebrant, can be organised by friends and family, and getting involved in this way may also help in the grieving process.

The best compromise may be for the family to choose which parts of the funeral service they wish to arrange by themselves, and leave the rest to the funeral director.

If you require the services of a Funeral Director, please use our Business Search facility.