Allow yourself time
You may feel that you need to put the funeral behind you as quickly as possible. If so, we encourage you to rethink that approach. Sometimes, families see the funeral as a painful experience and simply want it to be over. It helps to understand that the loss of our loved one has caused our pain; the funeral can and should be the instigator of our healing. In deciding on a day and time for the ceremony, be sure you have allowed enough time to consider and carry out all your preferred options.
Considerations that may require additional time:
- Relatives needing to travel
- Opportunities to view your loved one
- Preparing service sheets
- Preparing memory displays
- Compiling a photo story
- Preparing the eulogy
Information required by law
When a death occurs, there is a legal obligation to register the death with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in that state. The Registrar asks for information as part of the process of registering the death.
Information to assemble before meeting to discuss arrangements:
- Date of birth and birthplace of the deceased
- Marriage details-where, when and to whom
- Children(s) names and ages
- Parents' full name and occupations