Funeral Preparation
If a family member or friend dies and you're arranging their funeral or getting funeral services, there are many things to consider and several steps to take. If you know that the deceased has already chosen a funeral director, be sure to check that they haven't entered into a pre-paid funeral agreement before you make any new arrangements. You will also need to check if there is Will. If there is one it may have directions and personal wishes for funeral arrangements.
Some Wills are not read until after the funeral is completed, and in that case, it's the duty of the deceased's executor to arrange the funeral.
If there is no Will, the next of kin will be called on to give personal details of the deceased within one month of the death, so that the death certificate can be registered.
IMMEDIATE COLLECTION AND FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
At Solace Family Funerals, we understand the importance of handling every detail with care and sensitivity. We will arrange for the immediate collection of your loved one from the place of death and bring them into our care. Once we have your contact details, we will send you a link to our Arrangement Form. After you submit the necessary information, we’ll reach out to discuss a convenient time for you to meet with us and plan the funeral.
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We offer flexibility in where we meet, whether in the comfort of your own home or in our peaceful family room—whichever setting feels most comfortable for you.
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Questions to Complete on the Arrangement Form for the Death Certificate & Essential Paperwork
To help with the funeral arrangements, you may wish to have the following information ready:
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Primary Family Representative: Who will be the main point of contact for the funeral arrangements?
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Registration of Death Information: This includes:
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Full Name of the Deceased
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Date of Birth
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Year of Arrival in Australia
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Usual Residence
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Occupation During Their Lifetime
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Pension Details
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Marital Status
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Marriage Details (Place, Age at Marriage, Spouse’s Name) for each marriage
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Children’s Names
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Names and Occupations of the Deceased’s Parents
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Having this information at hand will help streamline the process and ensure that everything is accurately recorded.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way during this difficult time. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Preparing for Your Arrangement Meeting
While no one expects to be fully prepared for this moment, gathering a few key items beforehand can help make the process easier for you. Our Online Arrangement Preparation Form is available below, providing a simple way for families to begin consideration of the items we will be collecting and discussing during our time together. Photos are of particular importance, as this can be a time consuming task for a family. How ready you are with photos and your wishes will largely determine how soon the funeral can be held. It is never our intention to put unnecessary stress on a family by condensing the time they need to be ready.
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THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
• Have any financial arrangements been made to pay for the funeral such as funeral insurance or a prepaid funeral?​​
• Did the deceased person have a prepaid burial plot?​​
• Is there enough money in the deceased person's bank account to pay for the funeral? If so have you contacted the bank about accessing these funds?​
• Are there any sickness, accident, life, superannuation, or private health insurance policies that could assist with paying for the funeral?​​
• Was the deceased a returned service person or did they belong to any club, pensioner association, or trade union that may entitle them to payment to help cover funeral costs?​ Check the following websites to see if they can help:
Department of Veteran Affairs and/or Returned and Services League.​
• If you or the deceased person received payments from Centrelink, check with Centrelink about a possible bereavement payment or allowance. Depending on your relationship with the deceased, you may be eligible for assistance. The Department of Human Services has a detailed list of ways to get financial support.​​
• Did the person have a preference for where to hold the service? This could be different from the actual burial or memorial location.​