Application for Permission to Cremate (Form 1)
What Is It?
A Form 1 – Application for Permission to Cremate is the legal application required under Queensland’s Cremations Act 2003 to obtain permission for a cremation to proceed. It is usually completed and signed by the deceased’s nearest relative, personal representative, or their authorised agent (such as an undertaker or funeral director), and confirms who is requesting the cremation, whether the deceased left any written cremation instructions, whether there are any objections to cremation, and whether any cremation risks (such as a pacemaker) are known. Once submitted, the application is considered by an independent doctor or, in coronial cases, a coroner before permission to cremate is granted.
Note for families: If you have engaged a funeral director or undertaker, you do not need to complete or organise this form yourself. Your funeral director will prepare the Form 1 with you, obtain the necessary signatures, and arrange for it to be submitted as part of the cremation approval process.
Why Is It Important?
Many modern medical devices contain lithium batteries, including pacemakers, defibrillators, pain pumps and some neurostimulators. These batteries can explode when exposed to the extreme temperatures inside a cremator, creating a serious safety risk for crematorium staff and potentially causing significant damage to the equipment. It is therefore essential that all battery-powered implanted devices are identified before cremation so they can be safely removed if required.
External items such as mobile phones, smartwatches, electronic cigarettes and battery-powered keepsakes should never be placed in the coffin for the same reason.
Who Issues It?
The person making the application, usually the undertaker / funeral director.
What Happens Next?
Once the Form 1 - Application for Permission to cremate has been completed, the doctor examining the deceased body will, if finding no risk / removing the risk, issue a [Form 4 - Permission to Cremate].
Related Documents
- Cause of Death Certificate (Form 9)
- Permission to Cremate (Form 4)