A wake, also known as a reception, is where mourners gather to reflect on the life of their loved one. It normally happens straight after a cremation or burial and can be held at a family home or other appropriate venue.
The funeral ceremony starts with guests entering the church or chapel and taking their seats. It is recommended that guests arrive about 15-20 minutes early. There is then a small procession down the main aisle of the church by the immediate family and the pallbearers who are carrying the casket.
The processional is led by the officiant and is followed by the pallbearers who carry the casket. Next, the family and kin to the deceased walk down the aisle, followed by close friends as they take their seats in the first few rows. A funeral recessional marks the end of the funeral service.
Blessings/Prayers - guests join a specific speaker in prayer. Eulogy - a loved one gives a speech about the person who's died. Committal - guests say their goodbyes to the person who's died, before they reach their final resting place. Closing music - hymns (or other music) play as guests leave the venue.
The front rows are for the immediate family so sit nearer the back if you did not know the person very well. However, if there are few mourners present then sit nearer to the front. It does not matter which side of the 'aisle' you sit.
The speech is ideally given by someone who knew the person well enough to gather and share memories and highlights of his/her life. Sometimes the choice is obvious within the family. There is often one person who seems to be the unofficial family spokesperson.
How soon after death should a funeral be? A funeral is generally arranged within 7 to 14 days from the passing. Time is also needed for the family to cope with the funeral.
Some people may choose to host a wake or reception before the funeral instead of after. This can sometimes be combined with a viewing, or other times there might be a viewing held before the main service, at the church or crematorium. In the Catholic faith, a Vigil service might be held on the night before the funeral.
If the funeral is in a church or other place of worship, the coffin will be transported to a burial ground or crematorium after the service. In this situation, the coffin is carried out first, then the funeral director escorts immediate family outside.
Eulogy/Remembrance
Fourth, the eulogy may be the single most important aspect of a funeral service. It is the time to acknowledge and affirm the significance of the life lived. With that in mind, take time to share treasured memories, quotes, or even the lost loved one's favorite jokes.
Expect service to last between half an hour to one hour; longer for public figures, or if there are lengthy readings or speeches. A clergy member or other officiant presides over the funeral service, and a printed program is generally provided to guests.
After the funeral service, the remains of the deceased are usually transported by hearse to a cemetery or mausoleum. In the case of cremation the ashes may be buried in a cemetery but some families may choose not to bury the ashes. They may keep them in an urn, or scatter or bury them on private property.
Does Centrelink Help with Funeral Costs? Yes, Centrelink (also known as Services Australia) has funeral assistance available in Queensland and nationwide. There are several types of bereavement assistance which are dependent on your personal situation and the situation of the person who has died.
Funeral costs by state
A basic funeral is the simplest type of funeral and typically includes the essential services. The research found that the average cost of a basic burial in Australia is $8,048, while the average cost of a basic cremation in Australia is $3,108.
The state and local regulations will determine how long an unidentified body can be kept at the morgue. In most places it's at least 30 days. The standard procedure is that the hospital will arrange the disposition after this time. This happens in only 1% of deaths.
Depending on the situation, the cost of this basic funeral can be paid by the state government's Area Health Service, who will usually contact next of kin about any funeral arrangements.
3.1 “State Funeral” – A funeral arranged and funded by the Government which is held to honour prominent people (usually high-ranking public officials) who have given long and outstanding service to the State.
A funeral is typically held around one or two weeks after the death, though it may be longer if the funeral director only has certain days available or if there is an inquest into the death. You may wish for your loved one to be buried as soon as possible, depending on their religious beliefs.
The officiant will usually lead the procession and pallbearers carrying the coffin tend to follow. Immediate family and close friends will often walk behind the coffin, followed by other guests.
The worst things to say at a funeral
Don't tell friends or family members who are grieving that their loved one has gone to a better place. Never call the death a blessing or speculate that it was that person's time. Avoid saying anything that suggests that the loss of the loved one is a positive thing.
It is not written anywhere that you have to speak at your loved one's funeral. There are no rules requiring such a moment. If you feel compelled to greet and thank all those gathered or share your thoughts about your loved one, write your thoughts and have someone else read your words during the service.
General Seating Rules
For the most part, the first few rows of seating are designated for family only, with immediate family (and spouses or significant others) sitting in the very first row and extended family members sitting behind them.