Funerals Advice

The Cost Effective Funeral

funerals — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:31:06 +0000

When a loved one dies, the last thing on most people’s minds is money. Later on, people find out how expensive it can be!

The average funeral costs over $6000 in the US. Many people spend in excess of 10,000 with all the add-ons. You shouldn’t have to go into debt to pay respects to your loved one – many people can send off their loved ones with $800 via cremation and a bit of creativity. Even those who prefer traditional methods can save quite a bit.

Plan ahead. Talk about death with your spouse and/or parents. Find out what they want, not finding out could be very costly!

Shop around. Many survivors also don’t shop around for deals because they consider bargain hunting an affront to the dead. It isn’t. Getting ripped off certainly doesn’t add to any honour you wish to give,

The $800 Funeral

Choose “direct cremation.” Direct cremation simply means that the deceased is promptly cremated, without a funeral service or viewing.

Select the simplest casket. Buying a $5,000 mahogany casket if a loved one’s body is soon to be burned to ashes makes little sense. Unfinished coffin or a heavy cardboard enclosure to house the body for its trip to the crematorium, where it will be burned along with the body. Ask for one.

Avoid a hugely expensive urn.

Create your own memorial. Elaborate services can be expensive and feel awkward. Instead of lavish flowers, decorate with mementos that evoke the person’s life — photo albums, Dad’s golf clubs, diplomas, perhaps some favorite foods.

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Cremation in Australia

funerals — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:19:42 +0000

In Australia, over 65% of the population choose cremation services. For some cultures and religions, it is their preferred option. For others, they choose cremations because they are cost-effective and practical alternative to burials. Costs of a cremation include the use of the crematorium chapel for the funeral service and the process of cremating. Most funerals held in a crematorium last for around half an hour, however if you require a longer service or are expecting a very large group of mourners, it is advisable to pay a little extra for extended use of the chapel.

Usually, about two weeks after the funeral service, the crematorium will contact you regarding the collection of your loved one’s ashes.

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What happens after the funeral?

funerals — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:52:18 +0000

Your funeral director will order the death certificate for you and this will come in the mail from the Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If you are executor of the will, you may be advised to seek the aid of your solicitor in probating the will.

Then you have the daunting task of notifying these agencies: (if relevant)

Centrelink
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Their Superannuation co
their Solicitor and/or public trustee
their Banks
Employer/former employer
If they were memberships with any organisation, the organisation
The ATO / financial advisor
All Insurance Companies
RTA – Car Registration and Licence
Electoral Office – usually not linked with Births Deaths Marriages
Medicare
Clubs
Newspaper delivery
Post Office for mail re-direction
Local Government for land Rates,
Telephone, Electricity companies for bills

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Criteria for selecting the best funeral directors

funerals — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:35:05 +0000

Past evidence of dedication and emotional intelligence .
The desire to work collaboratively with clients. Flexibility. Awareness that a funeral is, for the client, a more or less participative event.
Willingness to be patient.
Absence of self-importance. Awareness that the funeral belongs to the client, not to the funeral director.
Pleasing personality
Personal service. Commitment to seeing it through with the client. No delegation to funeral arrangers.
No appointment of a stranger on the day to conduct the funeral.
Awareness of trends in client expectations and capable of catering to change.

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Dealing with death

funerals — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:52:11 +0000

Dealing with death is a life experience that nobody wants to face. Life can sometimes seem like swimming in the sea during high tide. Even if we can swim and jump over the big waves at the right time, when we least expect, Wham! We are struck from the side, and we are turning and bouncing off the ocean floor with his mouth full of sand. If we fight, it takes longer to reach the surface. But if you float with the current, which will come up. Floating when we fear is difficult. It takes confidence and concentration. Coping with the death of a loved one is similar. To cope, it takes confidence. Death is almost always accompanied by questions – especially WHY? What we face our own death or the death of someone we love, we want answers. Why is this happening? What Have I Done to Deserve This? Is there life after death? The sooner you learn to float – trust – the easier it is to find the answers you seek.

Grieving for a loved one

When someone close to you dies, you go through the process of grief. Pain is a visible manifestation of that pain and includes a variety of physical and emotional symptoms that occur after a loss. It’s important to give your feelings out, because bottling is their only leads to emotional problems in the future. Weeping love takes time. We all go through different and often contradictory experiences, even overwhelming emotions, but slowly life will be more bearable.

The most important thing is to get support from people you trust and believe care about you. Family and friends all understand what you’re dealing with, and we want to help. Whether you want to talk about your feelings, reflect on their loss, or simply out to take your mind off things, just do what you think feels right and it will make you feel better. And remember to keep your doctor. If you have sleeping problems, your doctor may prescribe sleeping tablets or may refer to the consultant, if you feel the need to help cope with the loss.

How long will it take?
The grieving process takes time. How long it will take depends on you and your situation. In general, though, it takes most people between one to two years to fully recover from the death of a loved one. It’s very common to feel especially vulnerable at times such as their birthday, the anniversary of their death, and during the Christmas holidays. We know you miss them. Honour them, visit their grave as often as you need to.

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How do I choose a funeral director?

funerals — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 04:27:04 +0000

As with any other service provider, it is often best to ring around three or four local funeral directors, ask for a quote and make a decision based on the estimates provided. We acknowledge that it would be a very stressful time so asking friends, neighbours or family for recommendations can work well.

When asking for quotes, ensure that these services/responsibilities are included. This is important as these are usually forgotten and consumers are hit with surprises.

Organise suitable transport to transport mourners on the day of the funeral service

Arrange for notices to be placed in newspapers or online

Organise pall bearers – if relevant

Provide service sheets and attendance cards

The funeral director may become the collecting point for donations to charity should this be requested rather than floral tributes

Organise a post service venue with refreshments for mourners as required

Organise the removal of the deceased to a chapel of rest until the funeral is held

Provide different options and choices for burial services and cremation services

Provide different types of coffin or casket along with options on furnishings

Arrange the time and date of the burial service at either a crematorium or relevant place of worship

Arrange for a suitable official to facilitate the funeral service

Arrange for music and any other requirement such as specific floral tributes at the venue

Arrange for people to view the body and pay their last respects before the funeral

Arrange for the disposal of funeral flowers when required

Arrange for the collection and disposal of ashes after cremation

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What do funeral directors do?

funerals — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:04:53 +0000

Most modern day funeral homes are run as family businesses. The majority of funeral directors work in these small, independent family run funeral homes. The owner usually hires two or three other directors to help him – depending on how much business there is. Often, this hired help is in the family, perpetuating the family’s ownership. Most funeral homes have one or more viewing rooms, a preparation room for embalming, a chapel, and a casket selection room. They usually have a hearse for transportation of bodies, a flower car, and limousines. They also have choices of caskets and urns for families to purchase or rent.

The funeral director’s role is to plan and help organise the funeral. They are expected to act ethically and in the family’s best interests.

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How does cremation work?

funerals — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:21:24 +0000

The furnace, usually called the incinerator, reaches from 1,600 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit during the cremation process. How long it takes for a body to burn and be considered completely cremated depends upon many factors, including the type of furnace used, type of container used (if any) and the size and weight of the body being cremated. The typical cremation takes somewhere around two or three hours, but the actual time varies by many factors. Even things such as how long the furnace has been running and how hot it is at startup can make a difference.

Usually family members can observe the cremation, but many find it traumatic to do so. In addition, many funeral homes do not offer cremation services on their property, but use outside services to perform cremation. Whether or not the family is allowed to observe may depend upon this third party and their policies

After Completed Cremation
The cremated body usually weights between four and eight pounds. This will vary, depending on the person’s size. Once the body is cremated, the only thing left will be large bones. Typically, these are ground up into a fine powder and given to the loved ones as remains. There is a special machine that pulverises these bones into the fine ash remains. These remains are often placed in memorial urns, although there is no legal requirement for this. Some choose to scatter the ashes in the loved one’s favourite place or make other arrangements.

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Funeral Homes Canberra

funerals — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:01:42 +0000

Norwood Park Ltd
Serving The Community Of A.C.T. & Regions Since 1966
PO Box 18, Dickson ACT 2602
ph: (02) 6241 3177

William Cole Funerals
60 Nettlefold St, Belconnen ACT 2616 – get directions
ph: (02) 6253 3655

A.C.T. Funeral Services
Belconnen ACT 2616
ph: (02) 6296 2343

Grantley Perry & Sons
7/ 12 Sandford St, Mitchell ACT 2911 – get directions
ph: (02) 6241 4101

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Funeral Homes Perth

funerals — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:00:05 +0000

Purslowe Funeral Homes
‘You can turn to the people at Purslowe.’
ph: 1300 662 172

Mareena Purslowe & Associates
We are as individual as you…
368 Rokeby St, Subiaco WA 6904 – get directions
ph: (08) 9388 1623

Mareena Purslowe & Assoc
Professional & Personal
Gently guiding you through.
368 Rokeby Rd, Subiaco WA 6008 – get directions
ph: (08) 9388 1623

Bowra & O’Dea
Simply A Matter Of Trust
68 Stirling St, Perth WA 6000 – get directions
ph: (08) 9231 5199

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