Arranging a Funeral
Worry-Free Funeral Arrangements
in Coffs Harbour
As a locally owned and operated company, we care about the needs of the bereaved community.
What to Expect
Personal Service
Our personalised approach is to sit down with you and guide you through the process from start to finish. There are many things to consider in planning a funeral service, and we will help you every step of the way. To ease the stress during this difficult time, we handle most of the paperwork involved, liaising with doctors, government departments and council. We will work with you to ensure that your loved one has a fitting tribute, while keeping the experience as stress-free as possible.
What to Bring
There are some details we will need in order to apply for a death certificate on your behalf:
See our list of required details.
See our list of required details.
Don't worry if there's anything you're unsure about, it can often be found on forms and certificates at home. You may also want to bring some comfortable clothing for your loved one. If you're having a service, we invite you to bring a photo and the names of some favourite songs. These items will help us share your vision of a service that captures the personality of your loved one.
What We'll Accomplish During Our Meeting
During our meeting, we’ll arrange the details of the service and burial/cremation (location, date, time, etc), set the viewing time (if desired) and help choose the celebrant or minister. We’ll also go over coffins, urns, flowers, notices, costings and any other details that are unique to you.
Costs and Authorisation
Throughout the process, we’ll be open and honest about all the costs involved, doing our very best to stay within your budget. You should also make plans for appropriate family members to sign authorisations for arrangements.
You can see our costings ahead of time:
Expected Passing At Home
When a loved one chooses to stay in their home to pass away it can sometimes lead to confusion for the family as to what needs to be done, and who needs to be called at the time of passing.
The most important thing to have in place before someone dies at home is confirmation of who will be completing the Medical Certificate. This document will normally be completed by the regular GP caring for the person, or a doctor with the palliative care team.
In most cases the palliative care team will complete an Expected Home Death Certificate. This document will have the information of which doctor will be completing the Medical Certificate, and if possible should be forwarded to the funeral director prior to the person passing away. You may also keep a copy at home and give it to us (the funeral director) when we come to the house to transfer you loved one to our funeral home.
If an Expected Home Death Certificate hasn't been completed, verbal confirmation from the GP that they will issue a Medical Certificate is usually sufficient. You should discuss this with the GP prior to the person passing away, and an after-hours contact number should be obtained in order for us to confirm with the GP at the time of death that they will issue a Medical Certificate.
It's perfectly normal to keep a loved one at home for a period of time after they have passed away. This gives the family an opportunity to grieve and say goodbye in their own way, in the comfort of their home. Once the person has passed, you will need to notify the palliative care team, or request an ambulance who will issue a Verification of Life Extinct Form. After this you can call us and we can arrange a time when you're ready for us to come to the house to transfer your loved one into our care, we are contactable 24 hours 7 days.
In any situation where a loved one passes away at home unexpectedly, you must call '000' immediately and ask for an ambulance. If you are ever unsure what to do, please call us on 6651-5007.
Why Hold a Service?
It’s natural to withdraw from others when grieving the death of a loved one. However, a funeral service gives you the opportunity to receive acknowledgement and support from friends and family members during this time.
By planning a meaningful farewell, you open yourself to help and healing from others.
Types of Funerals
Traditional
A traditional funeral service takes place at a chapel or church and is conducted by a funeral celebrant or minister. The burial or cremation will then take place afterwards. This type of service can be very helpful in the grieving process, as it provides a sense of closure and allows friends and family to come together to support one another.
Graveside
A graveside service takes place at the cemetery, in the spot that your loved one will be put to rest. We will work with you to create a service that is personal and meaningful, whether it is a private committal or a full service.
Memorial
A memorial service is a time for family and friends to gather together and share memories of the person who has passed, after they have been cremated or buried. Memorial services can be held at any time, but many families choose to wait a few weeks or even months so that they have time to properly plan and prepare.
No Ceremony
Losing a loved one is never easy but having to make final arrangements can add an extra layer of stress during an already difficult time. Our funeral home offers a no-ceremony cremation option that can help to provide some relief. This option is the most cost-efficient, and it allows you to choose how you say goodbye in your own time and in your own way.
What does it cost?
Funeral costs vary depending on the unique needs of your family, and how you wish to say goodbye to your loved one. In order to simplify the process, we have made our full pricelists available online.
Cremation Pricelist
Burial Pricelist
These pricelists outline typical funeral costs for different types of cremations and burials, as well as any extra services you may wish to use. We are fully transparent with our pricing, and will go through these costs with you as we move through the process.
Burial or Cremation
If your family has not decided upon burial or cremation beforehand, we can help you come to a decision that feels right for you.
Burials allow you to lay your loved one to rest in a cemetery. Cremations are a more affordable option that allow you to keep, bury or scatter the ashes in a sentimental place.
Personalising the Service
You can customise your service from decorations to flower arrangements to create an event that celebrates the life of your loved one. Some of the ways you can pay tribute include photo canvases, an online tribute page, service booklets, special music or live performances, photo presentations, bookmarks, butterfly, balloon or dove releases and newspaper notices.
When selecting a floral arrangement, consider where they will be used, the type, colour and fragrance, the season and if they will be given to family members.
Viewings
A viewing allows family members and close friends to privately say goodbye. Seeing your loved one in a peaceful state allows you to accept the passing and heal. You can choose to hold individual or collective viewings to suit your family’s needs.
We're Happy to Help
Give us a call to talk to a funeral consultant about how we can plan the most dignified tribute for your loved one.