FAQ

You will need a Funeral Director for any funeral arrangement. If a loved one is expected to pass very soon, you may contact us so we can advise you of your options and the procedures that are involved.

When someone does pass, a doctor must complete a certificate, known as a 'Doctor's Certificate of Cause of Death', which confirms the death of the deceased. The Funeral Director can then commence proceedings. Sometimes there is a coroner's enquiry raised by the police concerning the death or if the doctor refuses to sign the certificate, then the Funeral Director must wait for the coroner's release before commencing procedures. It is illegal for a Funeral Director to move a body without any of these documents.

We'll meet with you and your family to discuss funeral arrangements. These may include: venue bookings at a suitable time and date, funeral/death notices in newspapers, flower/petal orders, and who you wish to have as the speaker for the funeral and eulogy.

You may choose a religious representative or a celebrant or we can provide the service for free. Also, at this time, we will collect from you information about the deceased in order to complete the necessary paperwork for registering the death and ordering the Registered Death Certificate on your behalf. The paperwork is submitted to the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages after the funeral service has taken place.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty and can't afford to pay for a funeral service, please contact Straight Cremation Funerals to discuss your options.

You may be entitled to government assistance or, in some circumstances if the deceased has money in their bank account, this money may be used to pay for the funeral service. The Funeral Director can make arrangements to access the necessary funds on your behalf.

When someone dies, a number of people and organisations need to be informed, including:

• Australian Taxation Office (132 865)
• Centrelink (132 300), Medicare services (132 011) and Child Support Services (131 272)
• Foreign Pension (if details are unknown, contact Centrelink 131 673)
• Banks, Credit Unions (eg. credit card/hire purchases)
• Clubs (eg. RSL)
• Department of Veterans' Affairs (133 254)
• Australian Electoral Commission (132 326)
• Employers, Landlords and Tenants
• Executor of the will, family and friends
• Funeral bond/insurance
• Health professionals (eg. hospital, doctors, physiotherapists, dentists, optometrists)
• Insurance companies (eg. health benefit funds, life insurance, car and home insurance)
• Superannuation funds
• Local post office
• Professional bodies (eg. solicitor, public trustee, accountant)
• Public Service Agents (eg. library, social worker, religious advisors)
• Utilities (eg. gas, electricity, local council, phone and internet companies)
• Vehicle registration and licensing authorities