Immediate Steps
1. Let Us Know
We are here for you 24/7, if your loved one has passed call us on (07) 3812 4000.
During this call we will talk you through what information is needed, such as their name, date of birth, where they have passed and if a medical professional has completed documentation. We will also ask a few questions such as who is the next of kin/executor, and if the service will be a burial or cremation
2. Bring Into Our Care
We will bring your loved one into our care as soon as we can. Before we can, a medical professional will need to visit and fill out the necessary paperwork.
Our trained staff will bring them into our care, with respect and dignity, and they will talk you through what will happen during this time. A time can be arranged for you to spend some time with your loved at our Funeral Home if you wish.
To organise the funeral, we will need to arrange a meeting. This meeting can either be at our office or your home. If interstate, preliminary arrangements can be made over the phone until you arrive.
Organising the Funeral Service
Our staff are here to assist you to arrange a funeral service, and you may need to meet with a few people. These may be:
Our Funeral Arrangers are there to guide you through every step of the way. They will organise the service details, along with the legalities of your loved ones passing. During the arrangement meeting, be prepared to discuss:
- Information required for the Death Certificate
- The Type of Service; whether burial or cremation
- Date, time and location of the service
- Coffin or Casket Selection
- Any Floral Arrangements
- Who will conduct the service, whether a minister or one of our celebrants
- Arrange a time for a viewing, if requested
- Discuss clothing and specifics of mortuary care – if you would like your loved one dressed in something special, or if you would like to include any letters, photos or keepsakes to be with your loved one.
- Arrange catering and after service refreshments
- Any specific memorial stationery or requests to ensure the service in personal and special to your family.
If using our Funeral Celebrant, they will discuss with you how the service is to be structured, with who will speak, any poems or readings to be shared, music selection, photo slideshow, and any other special items throughout the service.
Some items to consider before meeting with your celebrant are: who is creating/presenting the eulogy? Is there anyone who wishes to say a few words? Is there a particular poem or reading that resonates with you that can be shared?
If you are having a photo slideshow or service booklets to be designed by us, you may need to meet with our relevant staff to ensure the appropriate format is provided. Such as, if you have hardcopy photos at home, our multimedia staff can those into a JPG format, or they may assist you with choosing a design for the Order of Service.
Helpful Documents
Funeral Service Formats
There is not set way of remembering and celebrating a person’s life, but below are the common service types.
A classic funeral can look different to many different families, you can lean more towards traditions; whether cultural or religious and follow those customs and may include viewings, processions, and formal ceremonies or create a “Celebration of Life” service, that is a heartfelt tribute focusing on joy, accomplishments, and shared memories.
The service can be held in our modern funeral home chapel, a church, crematorium or cemetery chapel, or at a venue such as a local golf club, park or private residence. The service is then followed by a cremation or burial.
If you choose to hold the service in a church a clergy member will conduct the service. Alternatively, a clergy member, family member or celebrant can conduct the service at any other location.
Following the service a wake may be held to provide family and friends a chance to recall memories, share stories and come together over light refreshments.
A memorial service provides a less traditional style with no coffin present and provides an opportunity for creativity and can be tailored to more closely reflect your loved one’s personality and preferences.
ON OVERVIEW
The Coffin: A memorial service is a service where the coffin in not present, and the cremation or burial may have taken place prior to the memorial service. If a cremation has taken place, you may wish to have your loved one’s ashes to be present at the service.
Ceremony: Memorial services tend to be more flexible and can vary greatly in format. They may include speeches, readings, music, and sharing of memories by family and friends.
Location and Style: A memorial service can be held almost anywhere, including at the family home, a park, community centre, function venue, or places that had special significance to your family. We encourage you to celebrate your loved one by personalising the service to suit their style and personality.
Timing: Because they are not tied to the burial or cremation process, memorial services offer more flexibility in scheduling and can be held day, weeks or monthly after their passing.
If your loved one had a wish for ‘No Fuss’ then you may wish to consider holding no funeral service at all.
Again, each family and loved one is different, and it may be best to continue with their wishes, however, research shows the importance of a service in the grieving process to assist with closure.
CREMATION ONLY:
Direct or private cremation is a process where your loved one is cremated soon after death without a preceding traditional funeral service. As a family you may wish to hold a private viewing or visitation which we can arrange.
It is a gentle and straightforward way to honour your loved one’s passing.
BURIAL ONLY:
Burial only is where your loved one is laid to rest soon after death without a preceding funeral service. This burial plot may have been pre-arranged, but if not we will assist in the purchase of a new grave.
Our helpful staff will guide you through this process to ensure the correct paperwork is completed and legalities are met.
At Sylvan Funerals, we are all inclusive and cater to each and every cultural and religious beliefs and will always do our best to ensure these requests are met in an appropriate way.
Our team will work with your family to understand and adhere to specific traditions and beliefs in creating a meaningful service for your loved one.
Choices To Consider
We’re here 24/7
Speak with us today
Please feel free to call us and speak with one of our funeral arrangers for further information on any of our services or to request a free no obligation package or quote
