Funeral Planning
This info sheet is designed to give you an idea of what options may be available to you and, given that knowledge, inform the discussions you have with your family, friends, and end of life and death care providers.
Importantly, you have the right to be as involved in this process as you wish—whether that means actively participating, guiding key decisions, or simply choosing trusted support.
See our Information sheet on Family Led Funerals.
You can also check more specific state by state information available on the Australian Home Funeral Alliance (AHFA) website.
FUNERAL CHECKLIST
Below is a list of potential elements and considerations for a funeral ceremony, drawn from the range of options commonly offered by contemporary funeral businesses.
For a family-led funeral, there are some mandatory decisions or components in the funeral planning process.
They are:
- Conventional Burial, Natural Burial, Water Cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis) or Cremation
- Registration of death
- Permit for burial or cremation
- Permit to conduct a funeral (WA only)
- Coffin or Shroud Selection – Options include traditional hardwood coffins, timber look laminated MDF, handcrafted or homemade coffins made from locally sourced materials, cardboard coffins and woven designs using natural fibres like wool, willow, bamboo, or seagrass. For those seeking a simpler or more environmentally conscious choice, no coffin is required, the body can be wrapped in a natural fibre shroud such as cotton, linen or wool.
(A body may need to be transported in a coffin but this does not mean it must be buried or cremated in one. Crematories do require a shrouded body to be placed on a solid base known as a shroud bearer.) - Transportation of coffin
(A coffin will not fit into most cars but vans, utes with canopies or a hearse are suitable) - Pallbearers
(A body is heavy and to safely transport one in a coffin/shroud will require multiple people. To lower a coffin/shrouded body into a grave will require a MINIMUM of 4 people and 1 to direct.)
There are many other options that may be considered, including:
- Date of ceremony (if chosen, not a necessity)
- Place of ceremony – setting, decoration, formal or casual
- Number of people expected
- Wording for death and funeral notice
- Where to place death notices and how many times each notice is to run
- Music - Organist/pianist/singers/live music (opening, reflection or audio/video presentation and closing). The average audio/video presentation includes 40 photos for the average 4 minute song.
- Other AV options including live streaming and/or recording
- Catering requirements
- Celebrant/clergy to officiate the ceremony (not required - you can do it yourself!)
- Flowers from the garden or purchased (e.g. coffin spray and placement flowers)
- Memorial books/signing sheets for attendees
- Booklet/order of service/bookmark/postcard and other stationery
- Care of the body – home based or with a funeral director - washing/dressing/make up – natural and chemical free or embalming (only required for repatriation or burial in an above ground vault or for body preservation), stitching, eye caps etc.
- Religious rites
- Vigil or viewing times
- Rituals (e.g. RSL or Masonic service component/bugle call/candle lighting) get creative - the possibilities are enormous
- Grave marker
- Ashes placement
- Plaque/headstone wording
Note: the cost of memorialisation is generally not included in funeral costs and additional funds will be needed. Some cemeteries require the purchase of headstones within specific time frames so these enquiries are best made in the initial stages of planning.