Your guide to planning a funeral

Planning a funeral while dealing with loss might be one of the toughest challenges you face in life. But you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to make sure it doesn’t feel like it’s just your burden.

A funeral gives you the chance to capture your loved one’s spirit and honour their memory. It’s a time for family, friends and communities to come together. To laugh, cry and cherish the moments you shared.

If you’re planning a funeral for a loved one, this guide will step you through the process. And if you and your family need support, we’re always here to help.

Where to start when someone dies

We all respond differently when we lose someone close to us. There’s no right or wrong way to feel, so be patient with yourself and those around you. When you’re ready, there are some things you’ll need to do.

Let your loved ones know

Let your family and your loved one’s close friends know. You might ask a family member or close friend to help with this.

Reach out to us

Our Funeral Specialists can explain what to do now. They will also organise a time for our caring and experienced team to collect your loved one. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Notifying professionals

If your loved one has died at home, contact their doctor to issue a cause of death certificate. If you can’t reach them, call the police or paramedic who can issue an interim certificate. If they've died in a hospital or nursing home the staff will take care of this for you. Our experienced team can guide you through this process.

Steps to plan a funeral

Here’s how the women of White Lady Funerals can help you plan a meaningful farewell.

Step 1
Make an appointment with your Funeral Specialist

Call us whenever you’re ready to begin planning the funeral. We’ll organise a time to meet in person and answer any questions you might have. Your loved one may have pre-planned their service with us. If so, we’ll have everything we need to begin the process.

Step 2
Find a venue

We can organise a funeral at just about any location – a place of worship, a beach, park or even your home. You might also choose to hold the service in one of our chapels, or at your loved one’s burial site. Your dedicated Funeral Specialist will help you choose the option that’s right for you and take care of all the details from there.

Step 3
Create the service

Your loved one’s service should reflect their unique personality and honour their memory. We’ll work closely with you to create a bespoke farewell that does just that. We’ll explain the various service options and ask you about your loved one’s wishes – things like whether they wanted to be buried or cremated, and any other requests for their funeral like their favourite music or flowers. Your Funeral Specialist will help you make the decisions that feel right for you.

If you need some time to think, we can organise a follow-up meeting to confirm the details. We will provide itemised costs so you can understand our fees, as well as payment options available to you.

In the lead up to the funeral

Once we’ve taken care of the details, there are some things you might like to do before the funeral.

Send invitations

We can help you craft a message to send out to your loved one’s family and friends. It’s also common to include a death notice in your chosen newspaper or share a message on social media with the funeral details.

Gather photos and videos

You may wish to share some photos and videos throughout the funeral service. On the day, we can play a slideshow of the precious memories you shared with your loved one.

Write a eulogy

We can help you prepare a moving, personal eulogy to read during the service. Our experienced Funeral Specialists have compiled a range of tips and advice, which you can read here.

Organise a reception or wake

A family gathering (sometimes called a wake) can be a wonderful opportunity to reminisce and reflect on your loved one’s life in a more relaxed setting. We can help you find a venue and organise catering.

What to expect on the day

Funerals can look very different across cultures and religions. However, here are some of the common things that can be included:

Before the funeral

Viewing – a special moment for close family and friends to say a private goodbye, with or without an open coffin

During the funeral

Arrival – a chance to spend some time with friends and family before the service
Pallbearing – an opportunity for family and friends to accompany their loved one on their final journey
Ceremony – the formal proceedings may involve readings, rituals, prayers and/or music
Eulogy – an opportunity for close family members or friends to express their love
Burial or cremation – you may like a final moment to say farewell before your loved one is laid to rest.

After the funeral

Reception – a chance for guests to gather after the service to share memories and reminisce.

How we can help

We are here to support you at every step. Our collective of women Funeral Specialists are highly experienced, caring professionals who understand the pain of losing a loved one. We’ll help carry your burden, so you can focus on healing before, during and after the service. Here are some of the ways we support you.

Dedicated, caring women

Your Funeral Specialist and our caring team of women will support you and your family with care and compassion.

Funeral and memorial services

We’ll host a memorable farewell in one of our chapels or a meaningful location of your choice.

Receptions and wakes

We can help you plan a gathering with family and friends after the service.

Viewing

We can organise a private time for close family and friends to say goodbye. Learn more here

Burial or cremation

We’ll arrange a cremation, or burial in the location of your choice.

Administration and legalities

We’ll take care of legal or administrative tasks, including registering your loved one’s death and obtaining their death certificate.

Transfers and care

We’ll collect your loved one and respectfully prepare them for the funeral.

Live streaming

We can live stream your loved one’s service for friends and family who can’t make it in person.

Online memorials

Create a lasting memorial to your loved one that can be shared with friends and family.

Customer Services Portal

Access your arrangement details, share the service details with friends and family, create a video tribute to remember your loved one and make account payments online.

Ongoing support

We can connect you with grief support networks and reading material.

Repatriation

We can arrange for your loved one to be moved interstate or overseas. Learn more here.

Other questions you might have

What should I bring to the first meeting with my White Lady Funeral Specialist?

You might like to bring a supportive friend or family member along. Here are some other things that will be helpful:

Information for the Death Certificate, including significant dates and home address.
Clothes, accessories and jewellery you would like your loved one to be dressed in.
A recent photo of your loved one to help our team do their hair and makeup, if you would like us to.
Prepaid funeral plans, if you have them.
Burial site reservation documents, if you have them.

What happens if someone passes at a hospital or nursing home?

If your loved one is at nursing home or private hospital, the staff will contact the family as soon as possible. They will also help to organise the Cause of Death Certificate. Then, you can get in touch with us to organise the next steps. In some cases, your loved one might have pre-planned their funeral. If so, the hospital or nursing home may contact us directly to come and collect your loved one.

What happens if the doctor can’t issue a Cause of Death Certificate?

In some cases, a doctor may not be able to issue Cause of Death Certificate, and they will need to refer the death to the coroner.

There are a number of reasons for referring a death to the coroner, including:

Death other than by natural causes, including violence, accidental or unusual causes.
Death during or following a health-related procedure.
Unexpected death.
Death of a person in an institution, a prison, in police custody or a drug or alcohol rehabilitation centre.
When the cause of death is unknown.

What is the difference between a Death Certificate and a Cause of Death Certificate?

A Death Certificate is the official document that registers your loved one’s death with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state. Our team will help you organise the Death Certificate and any other relevant paperwork.

The Cause of Death Certificate is issued by a healthcare professional (usually a doctor) and records a person’s date and place of death. All funeral directors need this document before they can collect your loved one and start planning for the funeral. This certificate is also required to register the death after the funeral service has occurred.