When someone dies, the thought of organising a funeral can be a daunting one, especially if you don’t know where to start.
On top of this, your mind is likely in a state of shock and making even simple decisions can be a challenge. Navigating your way into the unknown territory of funeral services in Sydney can be an overwhelming experience before you’ve even started.
There is a lot of fear around searching for funeral directors in Sydney, also around funeral costs in Sydney and rightly so.
When you begin thinking about the available funeral services in Sydney then it can feel like the funeral costs can quickly add up. Picaluna offers clear and transparent pricing, which allows you to feel on top of every funeral cost and element required in funeral planning. Our funeral directors are very easy to talk to, so you can ask any questions you like. Picaluna also donates 5% of our service fee to a charity of your choosing.
Funeral services in Sydney and beyond, don’t have to cost the earth. At your first meeting with your funeral arranger, it is a good tip to be open about the budget you had in mind and talk about what can be achieved within that framework.
Your first meeting with a Picalunafuneral director in Sydney, Newcastle or the Central Coast or wherever you live, is often referred to as the arrangement meeting.
At Picaluna, we like to meet families in their own homes if possible. This allows them to be in comfortable and familiar surroundings, whilst doing something entirely unfamiliar and uncomfortable. We appreciate this can be a very difficult time for your family and endeavour to provide the utmost professional care and communication at all times. In preparing for the first meeting or arrangement meeting, it can be helpful if you have reviewed some of the tasks that are usually spoken about with your funeral director and funeral celebrant.
Reflect on the story
Begin to think about what was important to your person; their passions and interests, their relationships and their values. Sharing this information will help create a beautiful and personal farewell and help honour, acknowledge and celebrate their life. It is helpful to talk with the funeral arranger about the kind of person they will be honouring. The more you can help give a clear picture to the funeral director, allows them to guide you in recommending the appropriate funeral services in Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle. Gather photos Images make up such an important part of the visual elements of a funeral. You may like to collate some photos for the slideshow or order of service booklets. You can provide on a USB or transfer via a Dropbox/We Transfer link. Your funeral arranger can guide you in this area for the best outcomes.
Clothes, if required
It is not necessary for you to provide clothing for your person to be dressed in, however, if you would like to dress your person in particular clothes, it is good to have begun to think about what is appropriate for them to wear. Bear in mind, that these clothes will be buried or cremated on the body of your person and will not be returned to you following the funeral service.
Choose interment type
It is likely that you have already communicated to your funeral arranger whether you have chosen burial or cremation. If you are still unsure, they can discuss this when you meet.
Key contact people
Throughout the arrangement process, you will need to specify key people who will perform important roles in authorising and making decisions regarding the funeral. It is important to think about who will perform these important roles as listed below:
a) Informant: The informant is the person who will supply information about your person. They may provide authorisation on key documents and is likely to receive the invoice for the funeral arrangement. This role is required.
b) Next of Kin: The next of kin may be required if there is no executor or there are key decisions that the informant is not able to authorise. This role is optional but may be required depending on your unique circumstances.
c) Executor: The executor is a representative appointed by the deceased who will carry out wishes of the deceased. This person may authorise key documents and will receive an invoice for the funeral arrangement.
Gather Personal, Marriage and Family details
The Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages require Picaluna to submit information to apply for the death certificate and to register the death. Below are some of the questions that will be asked. If you have all the answers on hand, it can make this part run smoothly for everyone.
• Their full legal name and maiden surname (if applicable): • Date of birth: • Date of death: • Gender: • Age at death: • Usual residence (address): • Occupation during working life: • Retirement status: •
- Their full legal name and maiden surname (if applicable):
- Date of birth:
- Date of death:
- Gender:
- Age at death:
- Usual residence (address):
- Occupation during working life:
- Retirement status:
- Pension status and type:
- Place of birth:
- If born overseas, date of arrival in Australia:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander confirmation:
- Marital Status:
- Given names and surnames of the spouse:
- Date(s) of marriage(s):
- Age of that person at time of marriage(s):
- Place(s) of marriage(s):
- If any marriage ended, the status (i.e. widowed, divorced etc):
- Details of any other marriages of that person:
- Their children’s given name(s) & dates of birth and current age:
- Their father’s full name:
- Father’s occupation and tasks performed:
- Their mother’s full name and maiden name:
- Mother’s occupation and tasks performed:
- Name of attending medical practitioner and address if known.
Pension/Centrelink details
If there was a Disability, Department of Veterans Affairs or Aged pension it is also helpful to know their CRN (Customer Reference Number) to advise Centrelink.
There are also some helpful government resources available to assist when someone dies.
Should you have any further questions about Funeral services in Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast, reach out to Picaluna for advice on (02) 9191 5006.
