A Funeral Service can be conducted in any way that best suits the family and can be as simple or ellaborate as you wish.
Single Funeral Service
A Single Funeral Service is when the Service is held entirely at one place with the committal service incorporated. There is no procession to a cemetery or crematorium afterwards.
Examples of this are a graveside service, service in a crematorium chapel or a service held at a chapel, church or other venue followed by a non-attended cremation or burial.
Dual Funeral Service
A Dual Funeral Service is when the funeral service is held in two parts, the first service takes place at a chapel, church or other chosen venue followed by a procession to the cemetery or crematorium where a second, and usually shorter, final committal service is held.
Memorial Service
A Memorial Service is when the burial or cremation has already taken place or when the coffin is not present. Often families will choose to have a private burial or cremation followed by a more public Memorial or Thanksgiving Service.
Private Funeral Service
A Private Funeral Service is when attendance at the funeral is by invitation only. The funeral is not usually advertised and it is left to the family to contact anyone they wish to attend.
Essential Care Service
Our Essential Care Service is suited to those who do not wish to have a funeral service at all.
The Essential Care Service usually involves the transfer from the place of death into our care, basic mortuary preparation and viewings (if required), followed by transfer to the Crematorium with no family attendance. The ashes can then be returned to the family.
TYPES OF FUNERAL SERVICES
RSL Service
An RSL Service can be held for all eligble Ex-Service Personnel.
The RSL Service is a 5-10 minute tribute held as part of the funeral service and involves a representative of the RSL, who speaks about the official war service history, which is obtained from the Department of War Records. During this Service the Ode is recited, other Ex-Service Personnel, RSL members, family members and others attending the service are invited to lay a poppy, the symbol of war sacrifice.
The Last Post and Reveille is played.
The coffin is usually draped with the Australian flag (supplied by Nielsen Funerals),
medals are often displayed on the coffin, other Ex-Service Personnel and RSL members may also form a guard of honour.
To view an example of an RSL Service please click here.
Masonic Service
A Masonic Service can be held for a Freemason.
The Masonic Service is a 5-10 minute ritual held as part of the funeral service and involves a representative of the deceased's lodge (often the Chaplain or Master of the Lodge) who speaks about the history and involvement of the deceased within the Masonic Lodge, these official records are obtained from the Grand Lodge. During this ritual a white apron and sprig of evergreen, two important Masonic symbols, are placed on the coffin.
Masonic Brethren may also form a guard of honour at the end of the funeral service.