10 steps to planning a funeral

The loss of a family member or loved one can be a difficult and painful experience. The initial shock and grief are often compounded by the need to make time-sensitive decisions and practical arrangements.  

10 Steps to Honouring and Celebrating Life is a downloadable guide designed by our customer care team. It is based on the most frequently asked questions by families when planning a burial, funeral or memorial service.   

This practical, one-step-at-a-time approach provides information about the considerations, options, and support services available to help you honour your loved one in the most special and meaningful way for your family. 

01 Notify the authorities.  

When a family member has died, the first step is to notify the relevant authorities. If the death happened at a hospital, in aged care or hospice, this would be the on-site doctor or your GP. Legally, a doctor must confirm a death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.  

If the death was unexpected or occurred at any other place, including home, you must notify the police coroner about this reportable death. This is a normal part of the process for unexpected deaths and will start a coronial investigation.   

Further information:

• Learn more about what to do after someone diesExternal site

• Learn more about reportable deathsExternal site

02 Notify family and close friends. 

The second step is to notify family, close friends, colleagues and loved ones. Sharing the task with several family members can be helpful. If possible, use simple, clear and compassionate language and be prepared to answer any questions they have.  

Consider contacting employers and those connected to places the family member regularly visited and others who could become concerned.  

03 Make arrangements for dependents.

Immediate care arrangements will need to be made for any dependents, such as children with no surviving parents. This can also apply when court orders are impacting a surviving parent’s relationship with any children.  

The legal process to appoint a legal guardian for any dependent children varies for each situation. It is affected by details left in the Will, the availability and willingness of guardians to accept the appointment, and the agreement (or disagreement) between family members. 

Further information:

• Learn more about how Victoria Legal Aid can help Victorians with their legal issuesExternal site

04 Consider burial, cremation and funeral ceremony options. 

If your loved one has left details expressing their wishes for their funeral or pre-planned arrangements, the planning process is more straightforward. 

Without expressed wishes or plans from your loved one, consider the type of funeral ceremony or memorial that aligns with how they would want to be remembered. Your family’s cultural traditions will also be an important consideration. 

This is the time to call our customer care team for help navigating the options, costs and packages available across cemetery locations, funeral services, and burial or cremation positions. 

Call our customer care team on 1300 466 904. 

05 Choose a funeral director. 

Funeral directors provide for the care, transport and preparation of the deceased for burial or cremation.  

While it is possible to do these things without a funeral director, there are strict legal, health and safety requirements. It is usually much easier to use the services of a funeral director. 

A funeral director can also advise on burial and cremation choices, help you organise a funeral or memorial services, arrange music and readings, submit newspaper notices, and support you through the process. 

Find a funeral director using our Funeral Director Search Tool. 

06 Select a coffin or casket and transportation. 

A coffin or casket is legally required to transport the deceased. A coffin has a flat lid and is tapered around the shoulders. A casket has either a flat or domed lid and is rectangular in shape. Your funeral director can recommend options to suit your needs, preferences, and budget.  

Your funeral director can also arrange transportation by a licensed transport and storage provider. 

07 Arrange a viewing (optional).  

A final viewing before burial or cremation can be conducted at the family home, a funeral home, or a purpose-built venue.  

Connect with our customer care team about venue details including capacity information and customisation options, at our Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park.  

Cremation witness viewing rooms are also available at both Springvale Crematorium and Bunurong Crematorium and provide an intimate room to farewell a loved one. 

Call our customer care team on 1300 466 904. 

08 Arrange a funeral or memorial service. 

A funeral service is a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present. A memorial service is held after the cremation or burial has taken place.  

Both ceremonies provide an important opportunity for family and friends to come together to honour and celebrate a life lived, to express grief and support one another. 

Funeral and memorial services may be steeped in tradition or deeply personal and individual. Your funeral director can help you decide on eulogies and readings, music, visual tributes such as a photo slideshow or video, and the order of service.  

We can help you explore and understand your options during an obligation-free appointment with our customer care team including venues for funeral or memorial services at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park. 

Call our customer care team on 1300 466 904. 

09 Arrange an after service function. 

An after-service function, sometimes called a wake, is a more relaxed gathering of family and friends after the funeral or memorial. 

Food and drink are often shared, and the life of the loved one is celebrated through stories and memories.  

We offer a range of spaces within a short walking distance from funeral service chapels. From large function rooms that accommodate up to 400 guests to smaller intimate spaces such as our café. Speak to our customer care team about venue options and function menus. 

Call our customer care team on 1300 466 904. 

10 Find support services. 

While every person grieves differently, it is usually a time of stress, pain and sadness, during the steps of organising a funeral service and afterward. 

We warmly invite you to explore our Community Care & Wellbeing program. With resources, activities and events, we offer a safe and welcoming space where you are supported in your grief. These include monthly facilitated talks about navigating grief, themed workshops, and activities to foster wellbeing and connection.  

For urgent support and grief counselling services, please contact the following organisations: 

• Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 (24 hours) 

• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 (24 hours) 

• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 (24 hours) 

• Griefline on 1300 845 745 (8 am to 8 pm (AEST)) 

• Thirrili – support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities – on 1800 805 801 (24 hours) 

Find out more about the Community Care & Wellbeing program. 

ere are many decisions and choices to be made as you plan a funeral. We have prepared the 10 Steps to Honouring and Celebrating Life guide to support your journey. 

Download the guide for the full step-by-step details, and other important information and resources, including: 

• Your freedom and rights during the funeral planning process. 

• Funeral pre-planning details and links. 

• Memorial options. 

• How to select a funeral director. 

• Funeral viewings and funeral and memorial services explained. 

• Flower tributes. 

• After-service functions. 

• Care and well-being resources. 

• Other helpful information and links. 

Planning a funeral may feel overwhelming but following the steps in this guide can help you create a personalised and cherished funeral for your family member.  

You don’t have to go through the process alone, we are here to help you every step of the way.