Arranging A Funeral
A Funeral is an Emotional Family Event
That’s why it is important to choose an experienced and reliable funeral director, who understands the unique needs of your family. Our caring and professionally trained staff will guide you through the many decisions and choices, to ensure your loved one’s funeral is a fitting reflection of their life.
Honouring Diverse Traditions and Beliefs
At Howard Squires Funerals, we embrace Australia’s multicultural ethos. We understand the importance of cultural and religious customs in the funeral process. Our team is experienced in arranging services honouring various faiths and cultural practices, ensuring that your loved one’s farewell respects your family’s traditions and beliefs. From traditional rituals to specific religious ceremonies, we are committed to arranging a funeral service that truly reflects the life and values of your loved one.
Plan Ahead with Peace of Mind
Arranging a funeral in advance can be a thoughtful and practical step. Our pre-planning services allow you to make important decisions at your own pace, reducing the stress on your loved ones during a difficult time. We offer guidance on all aspects of funeral planning, from selecting a burial or cremation to arranging the service details. Pre-planning also provides financial benefits, allowing you to manage costs effectively. Let us help you create a plan that brings peace of mind to you and your family.
When a Death Occurs
At Howard Squires Funerals, we recognise that people generally only need to make funeral arrangements two or three times in their lives. That’s why we’ve developed this overview of what to expect when making funeral arrangements with us.
Continued Support and Resources
At Howard Squires Funerals, we understand that the journey of grief continues long after the funeral. We offer comprehensive post-funeral support resources, including connections to grief counselling, support groups, and mental health services. Our commitment to supporting our clients extends beyond the funeral service, providing you with resources and guidance to help you through your grief journey.
Eco-Friendly Funeral Options
In response to growing environmental concerns, Howard Squires Funerals offers a range of eco-friendly funeral options. We provide biodegradable urns, eco-friendly burial methods, and other green choices to ensure your loved one’s farewell is not only respectful but also environmentally conscious. Our team can guide you through the various sustainable options available, helping you make a choice that aligns with your wishes and environmental values.
Hear From Our Families
Each family’s experience is unique and special. Read testimonials and stories from families who have entrusted Howard Squires Funerals with their loved one’s final journey. Their experiences highlight our commitment to arranging compassionate, personalised funeral services and can offer insights into the support you can expect from our dedicated team.
Transparent Pricing for Your Peace of Mind
We believe in transparency when it comes to pricing. We provide clear information on the costs associated with arranging a funeral. We offer a detailed breakdown of what each package includes, helping you make an informed decision without any unexpected expenses. Our team is also available to discuss any financial concerns or queries you may have.
Our Role
An important and traditional part of a funeral director’s role is to assist with the practical aspects of a funeral, such as care of your loved one, and coordinating when and where the funeral will be held.
These days, families are increasingly seeking guidance and advice on the celebratory aspects of a funeral, such as the style and content of the service, the choice of music, and other touches that reflect the life of your loved one.
At Howard Squires Funerals, we consider our staff to be funeral planners, in much the same way that a wedding planner coordinates and oversees all aspects of a wedding.
Our objective is to be your caring and trusted adviser, and to play a central, but unobtrusive role in planning what is often an important family event or celebration.
Immediate Steps
Death can occur in many different circumstances: at home, overseas, unexpectedly, in a hospital or nursing home.
During our initial discussion with you, we will generally make arrangements to:
Transfer your loved one into our care; and agree on a suitable time/place for us to meet with you, to discuss the funeral arrangements.
Both of these things usually happen within the first 24 hours after a death occurs.
If you require our assistance at this time, please us on 1300 881 691
We are here to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Initial Arrangement Meeting
Our initial face to face meeting with you is called the arrangement meeting.
This meeting can take place at your home, or in one of our conveniently located branches.
During this funeral arrangement meeting, one of our caring Funeral Planners will assist you to decide on all of the many practical and celebratory aspects of the funeral. A number of legal forms will also need to be completed.
The arrangement meeting is generally 1-2 hours in duration.
Examples of some of the decisions that need to be made include:
- When and where will the funeral be held?
- Will vehicles be required?
- Will there be a viewing?
- Will music be incorporated into the service?
- Will there be an Order of Service or Life Review presentation?
- Will the death and funeral be advertised in the newspaper?
- Will there be a gathering afterwards?
During the meeting, we record the decisions and choices made in a contract, and other documents, and leave you with a detailed estimate of the costs and disbursements associated with the funeral.
Our Funeral Planner will also ask you to supply clothing that your loved one will be dressed in. If you are undecided as to which clothing will be used we can arrange for collection of these garments at another suitable time.
Accessible to Everyone
Howard Squires Funerals is committed to making our Funeral arrangement services and website accessible to everyone. Our website features text-to-speech functionality, easy navigation, and high-contrast visuals to ensure all users, including those with disabilities, can easily access the information they need.
Committed to Our Community
We are proud to be an active part of our local community, participating in local events and supporting various local causes. Our community involvement reflects our dedication not just to our clients but also to the broader community we serve. Learn more about our community activities and how we give back.
Guidance for Legal and Estate Matters
Navigating legal and estate matters following a funeral can be challenging. We offer essential guidance on these issues and provide links to resources to find more detailed information. Our aim is to make this process as smooth as possible for you and your family.
What You Can Do In Advance:
As there is often some time between the death and the arrangement meeting, there are a number of things you can do to prepare for this meeting, such as:
- Decide whether the funeral will be a burial or cremation
- Decide on and gather together the clothing you may wish for your loved one to wear
- Give some thought to the wording of the personal notices you may wish to place in the newspaper
To assist your preparation of a Death or Funeral Notice, you may wish to download suggested Death and Funeral Notice verses and line endings.
It is also helpful to gather the personal details that are required to legally register the death with the office of Births, Deaths & Marriages. You can download the Registration of Death Form here.
Once the death is registered, Births, Deaths & Marriages will send you a formal death certificate, which is often needed in relation to any legal and estate issues that may need to be attended to. This takes 4 - 5 weeks to be sent.
After the Arrangement Meeting
After the initial arrangement meeting, we follow through on the various decisions made.
The many hours of planning and behind the scenes preparation is vital in ensuring that the funeral is carried out in accordance with your wishes. A number of follow up phone calls are usually made during this period, to confirm or clarify outstanding issues and details.
Occasionally a further face to face meeting is needed.
On the Day of the Funeral
On the day of the funeral, you will meet one of our experienced funeral conductors, who is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the service. This will often be the funeral planner who assisted you to make the arrangements.
Our conductor’s primary focus is to ensure the service runs smoothly and that the day is as comfortable for you and your family as possible.
After the Funeral
We recognise that losing a loved one can be a life-changing experience, and we invite you to contact us following the funeral, if you feel we can help in any way. Our online Information and Resources are also helpful.
We generally render our account around 10 days after the service.
Stay Connected with Us
Have questions or need our assistance? Our contact information is readily accessible on our website, including a simple online form for quick inquiries. Our team is always here to provide you with the support and guidance you need 24/7.