Usually funeral directors will provide something called a 'basic funeral'. There is also the option of 'no service, no attendance' cremation or burial. This is the least expensive choice as there is no offical ceremony and mourners do not attend any stage of the process.
A simple funeral is an attended service at a local crematorium, without the expense of a hearse. This means the coffin will be resting in the chapel, ready for you to arrive and celebrate their life.
What is a simple funeral? A simple funeral is an affordable, sometimes no frills, alternative to a traditional funeral, often provided without many of the more traditional funeral elements such as pallbearers and limousines. This means a simple funeral will usually cost less than a traditional funeral.
Full Service Funeral
A full funeral service — also referred to as a “traditional” or “full service” funeral — is the most common funeral type in most cultures. This usually occurs within days of a death and takes place at a church or funeral home.
Silent funeral is sometimes used as another name for an unattended funeral. These types of direct cremations and burials are becoming more popular. If you choose this type of funeral, the person who has died will be cremated or buried without a funeral service.
What is an unattended funeral? An unattended funeral is a funeral that isn't witnessed by the family and friends of the person who died. Instead, the cremation or burial takes place privately at the crematorium or burial ground. This can either be handled by a funeral director or direct cremation specialist.
Attending a visitation can be the hardest part for people to attend, because it involves talking to the deceased's family. A good recommendation is to say something simple such as “I am sorry about your loss”, especially if there are many other guests waiting to share their condolences.
A traditional funeral, also known as a full service funeral, begins with a funeral ceremony which is held at a church or chapel. This is followed by a cremation or burial at a prebooked cemetery plot. In most cases, there is usually a viewing that can be held just before the funeral ceremony or a few days before.
Traditional funerals are the most common type of funeral in Australia. They have three main components: the viewing or visitation, the funeral service, and the burial ceremony. They often feature the casket or coffin at the front of the service. Direct burial is one of the most cost-effective types of funerals.
Flowers, sympathy cards, custom keepsakes, and donations are all appropriate gifts to bring to a funeral. While a gift is certainly not required, it can be a thoughtful way to communicate your love for those grieving.
The idea behind repast food is to provide something for mourners to eat after the funeral service, so they do not have to go home and cook a meal. Repast food can be served buffet style or plated, and it is typically served with coffee or tea.
Direct cremation is the least expensive way to bury your loves one. It is done respectfully, and gives your and your family time to find the most personal and affordable burial option.
The goal is for this to celebrate a life and to give thanks to everyone attending. This ceremony is often a very happy event where there can be closure. During a living funeral, families and friends will share stories and memories of the person who is nearing death.
The Funeral Service
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.
The average cost of a direct cremation in Australia is $4,000, according to moneysmart.gov.au. Prices remain lower than a traditional cremation or burial service because there is often no need for a chapel, celebrant, flowers, or other additions to the funeral service.
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.
Planning a traditional funeral with a viewing
For others, the time between death and the funeral service is around 2-3 days.
The person who arranges the funeral usually has to sign a contract with the funeral director. The person who signed the contract is legally responsible to pay for the funeral. If there is enough money in the estate, the person arranging the funeral may be able to recover these costs from the estate.
It is perfectly normal not to cry when someone dies. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and everyone deals with loss in their own way. It doesn't mean that you don't care, that you are cold, or that you are broken in any way. It simply means that you process your emotions in a different way.
But during the wake of their beloved, superstitions say that one must refrain from sweeping the floor. Neither should you try and take a shower at the place where the deceased is. Doing so may send its spirit away from the place, preventing it from “safely passing” to life after death.
It's perfectly acceptable to not have a funeral. There's no legal requirement for you to have one — it's up to you how you'd like to be memorialized.
It might seem disrespectful not to attend a parent's funeral, but this is ultimately a personal choice. There is no obligation to attend a funeral, and you might find that you would like to say goodbye in your own way.
Funeral Seating Guidelines
At many funerals, relatives of the deceased sit on the right side. Friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and others typically sit on the left. The front rows are reserved for close relatives.