Viewing the deceased is a very personal decision. This can be a very emotional time, however, in our experience we have seen many benefits. A viewing not only helps the bereaved to face the reality of death but is also allows for quiet times of reflection and goodbyes.

Most viewings are held at our parlor with staff available to offer support should you wish to take up this opportunity.

This would be at no additional cost to you.

With more and more people travelling these days it is important to know what to do when death occurs outside of your local area. Should you encounter this situation you only need to call us. As an independent funeral director these circumstances present no difficulties as we can make arrangements anywhere in the world.

Similarly, many members of our community from other countries send their loved ones back to their homeland for burial. This entails many hours of preparation, liaison with various Australian Government Departments as well as liaison with the consulate general of their native homeland. All of this is administered by the funeral director who will convey all documentation in accordance with the governments concerned.

Centrelink (formerly the Department of Social Security) does offer a variety of paymentsfor funerals, a basic description of which is shown below.
Married Pensioners:

The surviving partner will receive a further 14 weeks of their spouses pension. This is usually paid in a lump sum.
Single Pensioners:

The estate will receive one full pension payment after the persons death.

The carer is entitled to a further 14 weeks pension following the death and this will be paid in a lump sum.
Sole Parent Pension:

The parent is entitled to a further 14 weeks following death and this will be paid in a lump sum.
Other allowances may be payable through the following institutions:
Department of Veterans Affairs, Insurance companies, Some private health funds, Unions It should also be known that if expenses are incurred for the funeral of a dependent, a certain amount of the cost can become a tax deduction.

Please note:

Entitlements can change without notice and we recommend you contact your nearest Centrelink Office for further information.

Embalming is the process of chemically treating a human body in order to disinfect and preserve the body. A licensed embalmer carries out this procedure when it is required. Circumstances where embalming may be needed include:

A longer than average delay between death and funeral.
Transfer of deceased overseas or even interstate.
Above ground burials in a crypt or vault.
If you have any questions about embalming or other mortuary procedures our qualified embalmer is always willing to discuss these matters with you.

Like all reputable funeral directors, we offer a large and varied selection of caskets so that we can meet the needs of all - from simple veneered particle board to solid or carved timber. Prices vary according to quality of materials, design and construction.

The cost of the funeral is another matter which must be determined and decided upon by the executor or next of kin. Be sure to advise the funeral director if a pre-paid funeral plan is in existence for the deceased, as this will avoid any unnecessary financial expense. Options and preferences vary, as do financial circumstances, but in general, the costs of a funeral is determined by the quality of the merchandise selected by the family and the extent of the services provided by the funeral director.

There are five main components in the cost of a funeral. These are:
1. Cost of the Casket

Like all reputable funeral directors, we offer a large and varied selection of caskets so that we can meet the needs of all - from simple veneered particle board to solid or carved timber. Prices vary according to quality of materials, design and construction.
2. Additional Payments

The Funeral Director must pay certain fees and charges on or before the day of the funeral or have them charged to the funeral company's accounts. Such costs may include flowers, church fees, medical fees for the issuing of cremation certificates, newspaper notices, clergy honorarium, musicians, order of service sheets, etc.

3. The Service Fee

The service fee is designed to cover all of the funeral directors costs. Such costs include providing trained personnel, being available to serve 24 hours a day 7 days a week, every day of the year, salaries and wages, facility and vehicle expenses, administration costs, insurances, rates and all the overhead costs which apply to any other business.
4. Burial:

Involves the purchase of a grave site or crypt, the right of interment, opening/ closing fees and maintenance. This is normally purchased from the cemetery with the assistance of a Funeral Director. Costs will vary depending upon the cemetery.
Cremation:

Involves the cost of conducting the cremation, preparing the cremated remains and at most crematoria, a fee hire of the chapel. We make these arrangements for you. We will contact you to arrange for memorialisation or collection of the cremated remains.
5. Memorialisation Costs

Memorialisation consists of a large variety of choices such as plaques, headstones or monuments and cost will depend upon individual budget, selection of burial, cremation or crypt and any religious considerations. As with Burial or Cremation arrangements our staff can organize contact with the Cemetery or Crematorium and monumental mason to purchase a memorial.

Regardless of what type of funeral you decide upon you will find that our complete services offer alternatives to meet your wishes and to suit your means. We are capable of providing any type of service desired, from simple low cost services to the more elaborate, traditional or something different. We are proud to say that no family is ever denied our help. We aim to be of service to everyone, people from every walk of life and people of every religious belief. The person responsible for paying the funeral account is the one who signs the authorization for the funeral to be conducted. A pre-paid funeral plan will eliminate or reduce costs at the time of arranging a funeral, depending on the type of contract. Naturally, RSL and pensioner discounts do apply.

If you wish to discuss funeral costs in more specified detail, please feel free to contact us. We are always available for advice and there is never any obligation on your part.

By planning ahead you can ensure peace of mind for you and your family. Pre-arranging and pre-paying your funeral means that you are able to select the service you would like and relieve your family of the emotional and financial burden of making these arrangements themselves.

Also, by pre-paying you can ensure that the cost of the funeral at today's prices, will be covered at need.
If you would like more information regarding pre-paid funeral planning we would be only too pleased to assist you.
Our family is equipped to give complete, confidential advice for all matters relating to the Funeral service, before, during and after the time of bereavement.

Our family own and operate our Funeral Parlor as a independent and locally owned Business Affiliated with the National Funeral Directors Association.