After a Burial Enquiry
Step 1 — Take some time to read everything
There can be a lot to take in when someone has died, so there is no need to do everything at once.
When you have some time, read through the information we have provided, including your Service Proposal. It will give you an overview of what we have discussed and what happens next.
Step 2 — Complete the important paperwork
There is a small amount of paperwork that is always better to get out of the way sooner rather than later.
Your Client Portal is where we can collect the information and documents we need from you. Depending on your circumstances, you may see tasks such as:
Authority to Release
If your person has died at a hospital, the hospital administration will require me to provide an Authority to Release Deceased Body before I can collect them.
This is you, or the appropriate next of kin, giving me permission to collect your person from the hospital.
Personal Details
The Personal Details form collects the information required to register the death with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages so that an official Death Certificate can be produced.
Please complete this as soon as practical.
Your Client Portal may also contain other tasks as we move through the arrangements, such as photographs, music choices or your coffin or casket selection.
Step 3 — Take some time to plan the farewell
If you have some time, it may be helpful to visit Say Goodbye Your Way.
This is a resource I built from my own experience and from supporting families as they come to terms with death. It is designed to prompt you to think about the things that can make a farewell personal and meaningful, and to help you make decisions in your own time.
You do not need to have everything worked out immediately. Some decisions will become clearer as the arrangements progress.
Step 4 — Review your Service Proposal
Review the Service Proposal we have provided.
The council fees shown as SDRC Fee may vary slightly depending on the circumstances, but the remainder of the proposal should not change unless you choose a different service or product.
This is also a good time to finalise your coffin or casket choice. We generally only keep the Daisybox in stock, so other coffins and caskets may need to be ordered.
Step 5 — Choose a grave location
If you do not already have a reservation and would like to choose the location of the grave yourself, you can contact SDRC Cemeteries when it suits you. They can arrange for you to visit the cemetery and look at the available locations.
Alternatively, a suitable plot can be selected for you.
There are usually two types of burial location:
- Monumental — where a headstone or monument can be placed
- Lawn — where a brass plaque is used to identify the grave
The options available can vary between cemeteries.
Step 6 — We collect and take your person into our care
When I receive the call, I will arrange collection and take your person into my care.
Because of our business model, once collection has taken place, viewing is not possible. This is one of the ways we are able to keep our services more affordable.
That said, there is no need to rush the collection where circumstances allow. If being involved in caring for your person is important to you, we can facilitate washing and/or dressing in a familiar environment, such as your own home.
For your peace of mind, our facility is located at my home in Applethorpe.
Step 7 — Finalise the details of the service
I will stay in contact with you as we work towards the funeral.
Together we can finalise the date, time and the other details of the service. Depending on what you have chosen, things to consider may include:
- Dressing your person
- Flowers
- Funeral booklets
- Music
- Photographic tribute
- Coffin or casket
- Celebrant, church or priest
- Any other personal elements you would like included
Your Client Portal may be used to collect some of this information as we move through the arrangements.
Step 8 — The day of the funeral
On the day of the service, I will usually arrive around one hour beforehand.
I will work with the cemetery and council regarding access and timings, as well as with the celebrant, church, priest or other people involved in the service.
My role is to make sure the practical side of the day is taken care of, allowing you to focus on saying goodbye.
Step 9 — Death registration and the Death Certificate
Once the Personal Details form has been completed, I can register everything required to produce an official Death Certificate through the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
The certificate usually takes around 2 weeks from the date of burial, although it can take up to 4 weeks.
It will be sent directly to the applicant address provided in the Personal Details form, which will usually be your home address or PO Box.
A final note
I know this can all seem a little clinical, but I want you to have all the information you need so that you are not left wondering what happens next.
Please know that moving forward, I will treat you and your person with the utmost care and dignity.
While I am not a grief specialist, I am available and always ready to support you in any way I can.
And remember that whatever you are feeling is normal.