Organising a funeral

Provided below is a list of things to organise for a funeral. You can also download this as a checklist at the bottom of this page.

An executor of the will is often left with the responsibility of organising a funeral. Your loved one may have left details of their wishes regarding their funeral or pre-purchased funeral plans in their will.

You do not need to use a funeral director but it can be helpful to make the funeral process easier for you while you are going through a time of grieving. You may still need to talk to a funeral director to organise some aspects including the burial or cremation. You can find a funeral director on the Australian Funeral Directors Association website.

You will need to organise the following when you are planning a funeral.

Ask for a copy of the death certificate which has to be signed and dated by a doctor. You may need to wait until police or coronial processes are finalised before this can be completed
Book a funeral director and decide upon a location and venue for the funeral service
Provide the funeral director with a copy of the death certificate so they can take possession of the body
Register the death with your state Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages and organise other legal documentation such as a permit for burial
Publish an obituary in the local paper and notify friends and family of the death and the funeral arrangements
Organise a viewing if this is something you want to do
Organise a headstone, coffin / casket, crypt or urn and an inscription to go on them, depending on what burial option you decide on or based on your loved ones wishes

Organise a priest or celebrant for the funeral service. You can find a funeral celebrant on the Funeral Celebrants Association Australia or the Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants websites or ask your funeral director for suggestions. Alternatively, you can have a direct committal without a service if you wish
Book the church, cemetery and / or crematorium
Organise and print copies of the order of service / memorial booklet. This includes hymns / songs and who will give the eulogy, prayers and readings at the funeral service
Organise flowers, wreaths, music, video recording and webcasting for the funeral service, if applicable
Organise a photo and / or slideshow of your loved one if you want this to be on display during the funeral service
Organise a hearse, other transportation and pallbearers
Organise a venue and catering for the wake.

You might be able to use the following to pay the funeral costs

Your loved ones estate
Prepaid funeral plan or bond
Their superannuation or life insurance if that included funeral cover
Support from the Department of Veteran Affairs and / or Centrelink
Aboriginal Land Council.

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