6 Tips for Planning a Funeral

Funerals are one of the most stressful events of our lives and for so many reasons, they are occasions that take a lot out of us.

To assist you we have provided a list of 6 tips for planning a funeral in this article.

While there are many issues to be dealt with, the practicalities needn’t be a burden.

As funeral directors, our experienced team at Newhaven Funerals is here to help you.

We’ll assist you through the process for respectful and appropriate funeral arrangements in order to take at least some of the stress out of the day.

1 Don’t Rush

One thing you don’t need to do when planning a funeral is to panic, our sensitive and experienced funeral directors know everything you need to know about organising a funeral.

You have certain rights, so if it has fallen to you to plan a funeral, the team at Newhaven Funerals will help you to take control in your own time.

2 Take Stock

Decide if you prefer a traditional burial or cremation for your loved one. If in doubt, our funeral directors can assist.

You may have been left with funeral instructions in a will, in this case, appropriate funding should be available.

If not, our trusted funeral directors won’t pressure you into overspending.

3 Get all the details in place

Your Newhaven funeral director will arrange a meeting with you following a loved one’s passing.

These meetings can take up to two hours depending on your specific requirements.

Ask for an itemised list following the meeting. This should include: fees; coffin; death certificate; permits; transport; burial and cemetery plot or cremation and urn; celebrant, flowers; notices; and the cost of the wake.

4 Look for a quality, sensitive and experienced funeral provider

Newhaven Funerals is a family-owned and operated business serving both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with many years of experience. We are local and sensitive to your individual needs.

5 Handling Fees

Some funeral directors may need to charge fees if you want a coffin they do not supply. If you would like to source a particular coffin from elsewhere, there may be a “handling fee” and or a “testing fee”.

6 Stay Strong

A good funeral director can advise on additional extras that are available, such as grief counselling for close family and friends of the deceased or additional extras for the funeral or wake, such as refreshments or a memorial book.

You may wish to source these yourself or your funeral director can assist you. You are not obliged to undertake any of these services through your funeral director if you do not feel they are relevant. The choice is yours and yours alone.

Find Out More

We hope these tips have helped. If you’d like more help from the our funeral directors, please get in touch with Newhaven Funerals.

Call us on 1800 644 524 we are available to you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

You can also download our Planning a Funeral Guide booklet for more information and guidance

Tim Connolly – Funeral Director Newhaven Funerals Brisbane & Gold Coast. Growing up around funerals since the age of six allows Tim a unique understanding of how a family owned funeral business should be. Since leaving school in 1992 Tim has been deeply involved in all aspects of operating their family owned business, including operating crematoriums, memorial gardens and pet cremation business. Tim is available to assist all clients with any request.

You might also find our previous post Options for Funeral Arrangements helpful when planning a funeral: