Help and advice

There are many choices to be made when planning the funeral of a loved one. This includes everything from deciding on a burial or cremation, to what to serve at a wake. Be assured, we will help you through these choices with compassion, care and clarity.

Salvos Funerals is here to support you

• First, we will talk with you about your loss and the ways we can help
• We will then arrange the transportation of your loved one into our care
• We can then make arrangements with you to discuss what happens next

When making any arrangement, a Salvos Funerals team member will listen to your needs and discuss the various options available.

When organising a funeral, we will:

• Look at the type of service you would prefer and help you explore a range of options that will best suit your needs
• Arrange the location where the service is held, the leader of the service and options for burial or cremation
• Discuss choices available to personalise the service such as flowers, coffin and slideshow presentation
• Discuss the content of the service, including the use of music, readings, eulogies, ways of closing the service and a viewing if desired
• Arrange for the death certificate to be issued to you

We can also assist in organising:

• The order of service booklets
• A visual tribute with music
• Guest books

Meet in person or online/by phone

Some families like to go through the process themselves online, with support by phone. We can do that quickly and easily, without the need to wait and meet with someone in person. It frees us to spend more time speaking about your loved one.

Frequently asked questions

To understand more about the funeral process and how Salvos Funerals can support you with the care of your loved one, please see our responses to ‘Frequently asked questions’

How to prepare a eulogy

• Include family and friends in preparation
• Gather a range of significant stories
• Aim to be representative and well-rounded – ensure that it is not just your view of the your loved one, particularly if you are speaking for family or friends
• Share a draft of the eulogy and ask for input from appropriate family members or close friends
• Work with the clergy on timing and keep it brief – a standard length is around five minutes

Be kind to yourself

Coming to terms with the death of a loved one is never easy and the grief process will be different for everyone. If you are struggling, Salvos Funerals can put you in contact with counselling and support services.

Be sure to be kind to yourself over this time. Get fresh air and consider taking a short break for a change of scenery.

Who to notify 

It can often be a draining process contacting and informing people of the death of a loved one. You might find it helpful to contact those you are closest to and ask them to notify other friends and family on your behalf.

There are a range of organisations and people who may need to be notified when a loved one has died. This can include:

• Employers
• Solicitor and/or lawyer
• Executor
• Australian government agencies – Australian Tax Office (ATO), Australian Electoral Commission, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Centrelink, child support services, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, State/Public Trustee, local council, local post office, local library, vehicle registration and licensing authority
• Financial providers – banks, credit unions, credit card providers, leasing companies, loan providers
• Telecommunication providers
• Water, gas and electricity utilities
• Clubs – bowling club, RSL, football club, netball club, Surf Life Saving Club
• Do Not Call/Mail registers – Australian Communications and Media Authority and Association for Data-Driven Marketing and Advertising
• Foreign government agencies – consulate or embassy, foreign pension authority
• Health professionals – audiologist, dentist, doctor, optometrist, physiotherapist, podiatrist, social worker or other specialists
• Insurance providers – home insurance, health insurance, life insurance, vehicle insurance
• Landlord or tenants
• Local shopkeepers
• Professional and industry associations
• Trade or labour union
• School association/alumni group

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