Arranging a Funeral

A funeral is an emotional family event.

That’s why it’s important to choose an experienced and reliable funeral director, who understands the unique needs of your family.

Our caring and professionally trained staff will guide you through the many decisions and choices to ensure your loved one’s funeral is a fitting reflection of their life.

Our Role
An important and traditional part of a Funeral Director’s role is to assist with the practical aspects of a funeral, such as care of the deceased, and coordinating when and where the funeral will be held.

These days, families are increasingly seeking guidance and advice on the celebratory aspects of a funeral, such as the style and content of the service, the choice of music, and other touches that reflect the life of the deceased.

We consider our staff to be funeral planners, in much the same way that a wedding planner coordinates and oversees all aspects of a wedding.

Our objective is to be your caring and trusted adviser, and to play a central, but unobtrusive role in planning what is often an important family event or celebration.

Immediate Steps
Death can occur in many different circumstances; at home, unexpectedly, at hospital, in a nursing home or overseas.

During our initial discussion with you, we will generally make arrangements to:

• Transfer the deceased into our care; and
• Agree on a suitable time/place for us to meet with you, to discuss the funeral arrangements.

Both of these things usually happen within the first 24 hours after death occurs.

Our initial face to face meeting with you is called the funeral arrangement.

This  can take place at your home or in our conveniently located office.

During this meeting, one of our caring funeral consultants will assist you to decide on all of the many practical and celebratory aspects of the funeral.

A number of legal forms also need to be completed.

The arrangement conference is generally 1-2 hours in duration.

Examples of some of the decisions that need to be made include:

• When and where will the funeral be held?
• Who will Officiate the service?
• Will your loved one be redressed and/or will there be a viewing?
• Will music be incorporated into the service?
• Will there be an order of service or photo tribute?
• Will the funeral be advertised?
• Will there be a gathering afterwards?

During the meeting, we document the decisions and choices made and other documents are completed.  We leave you with a detailed estimate of the costs and disbursements associated with the funeral.

Our Funeral Consultant will also ask you to supply items that will personalise your loved one’s funeral.  If you are undecided as to which items will be used we can arrange for collection of these at another suitable time.  This may include clothing, photo’s and memorabilia to reflect your loved one’s life.

Your loved one, whilst in our care, will be treated with all the respect, privacy and dignity he or she would receive whilst living.

Necessary Information:
• Date and place of birth.  If born overseas, year arrived in Australia
• Occupation during normal working life
• Details of marriage(s).  Date, place and to whom
• Details of children.  Names and dates of birth
• Parents of the deceased including mother’s maiden name

Things to Consider:
• Clothing for the deceased to be dressed in
• Personal items to be placed in or on the coffin
• Music, readings, poems and pallbearers
• Service Sheets and/or a photo tribute
• Flowers and funeral notices

We spend every day in our funeral home but we acknowledge that you may initially feel uneasy when you first arrive.

From your first contact you will be welcomed. Our funeral home is light and serene and our meeting will take place around a dining room table in the comfortable arrangement room.

We will take the time to listen to your reflections and memories of your loved one and what is most important to you about their funeral service.  We can also attend your private residence.

Email: info@lightfootfunerals.com.au