Tasks & Decisions to be Considered when Arranging a Funeral Service

Personal Information

• Full legal name
• Residential address
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth (when arrived in Australia, if born overseas)
• Marriage Details (Place, date, to whom)
• Occupation
• Parent's names
• Children's Names & Dates of Birth

Specific Decisions

• Choose a Funeral Director
• Burial or Cremation
• Location of Service
• Date & Time of Service
• Do you wish to view the deceased
• Wording for funeral notice
• Is jewellery to remain or be returned
• Special clothes for the deceased -if required
• Select scripture or literature for Service
• Will a friend give a eulogy
• Select hymns or music
• Floral arrangements
• Floral or donation to a charity tributes
• If required arrange location and food for after the Service
• Thank you cards for those who give floral or donation tributes

Who is to Participate

• Clergy or Celebrant
• Pallbearers
• Organist
• Family or Friend to give Eulogy
• Family or Friend to read Scripture or Literary Extract

Transport

• Hearse arranged by Funeral Director
• Hire Car to and from funeral - arranged by Funeral Director if needed
• Friend's Car - economical and allows people to show their support

Personal Items of Interest may help in writing a Eulogy

• Schools attended
• University attended
• Family and work history
• Positions held and Service Record
• Accomplishments - Personal & Professional
• Hobbies & Special Interests

Some of the Costs

• Funeral Director's Service Fee
• Doctor's Certificates
• Transfer of the deceased
• Notices in Newspapers
• Coffin
• Any special preparation requested
• Cemetery or Cremation Costs
• Transport
• Floral arrangements
• Clergy or Celebrant Fee
• Music
• Church or Chapel Cost
• Collection of Ashes

People to Contact

• Immediate family, even estranged members should be considered
• Close friends
• Executor of Will
• Employer
• Solicitor
• Accountant
• Australian Tax Office
• Medicare
• Private Health Fund
• Electoral Office
• Banks and other financial institutions
• Clubs and other organisations
• Motor Vehicle Registry
• Veterans' Affairs
• Social Security
• Superannuation Fund
• Home Care services - eg meals on wheels

Documents to Locate

• Will - May request special funeral arrangements
• Pre-paid Funeral Plan
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Citizenship Papers
• Insurance Policies - home, contents & car
• Life Insurance
• Superannuation Papers
• Bank Documents
• Property Deeds & Mortgage papers
• Home Loan Details
• Taxation Records
• Vehicle Ownership Papers