Pavilion
Our beautifully appointed pavilion provides a relaxed outdoor funeral service venue or an area for loved ones to gather and reflect.
Opened in 2000 as part of our centenary celebrations, the TS Burstow Funeral Home and Chapel were designed as a place for quiet contemplation and reflection, for celebration and reunion.
The airconditioned chapel, seating at least 150 people, provides a beautifully peaceful atmosphere, with stained glass features and specialised lighting. Set among manicured gardens, these facilities enable family members of all belief systems to bid farewell to their loved ones in a dignified and peaceful environment, while a cascading waterfall in the outdoor garden creates the backdrop for the coffin during the service.
All services held in the TS Burstow Chapel include a complimentary introduction screen and visual tribute, designed and developed by our professional audiovisual department. Web streaming options are also available for no additional charge, if you have family who are unable to attend the service.
Our viewing rooms give family and friends privacy to say their goodbyes. This is a very personal time and our rooms reflect this, creating an atmosphere of comfort and support.
The viewing is a time for family to support one another in their grief. The body is present in an open coffin or casket, allowing you and others who loved the person who has died to acknowledge the reality of the death and to say goodbye. The decision to view is an individual one. Mourners should not be prevented from viewing, nor should they be forced to do so.
You may consider giving close friends the opportunity to be involved in the viewing.
If possible, try not to leave the viewing till the day of the funeral. Allow enough days between the death and the day of the service to benefit from the viewing.
The care of your loved one is very important to us. Although most families will not want to inspect our mortuary care centre, our professionally qualified staff ensure that dignity is paramount while a loved one is in our care.
The Burstow attention to detail can be seen in all our facilities and continues in areas often unseen by the public creating an atmosphere of respect, professionalism and trust. Your inspection of our entire facility is always welcome.
This is where a loved one will be received into our care and await professional preparation by one of our qualified mortuary staff. This preparation takes place in our embalming room which resembles an operating theatre.
After mortuary care, a family’s loved one will safely rest in the chosen coffin until the day of the ceremony.
Arranging a funeral involves making a lot of decisions. Our arrangement rooms provide privacy and comfort where you can contemplate decisions without distraction. Home consultations can also be arranged.
- 250 - 400 seat auditorium - designed to maximise multimedia options and personalised themes.
- A private catering facility plus an operational cafe.
- Showers and change rooms for those who have travelled distance.
- Multi media studio and showroom.
- Historic vehicle display.
- Private gathering lounge for families to assemble prior to a service.
At Burstows, we understand that each person is unique. For this reason, we have developed the most extensive options to help you honour a life well lived. Our facilities are state of the art and custom built to assist you in every way possible.
We always:
- Abide by Government regulations, including those of the State Government Health Department.
- Follow our own strict policies, procedures and code of behaviour.
- Ensure the name plate remains alongside the deceased throughout the cremation process.
- Ensure cremated remains of an individual are kept together and not mixed with other cremated remains.
- In all cases, only one deceased is cremated at a time (unless there are extenuating circumstances and then only with the approval and knowledge of the family and in accordance with Health Department Regulations).
- Burstows embrace transparency and provide a viewing lounge adjacent to the cremation chamber for family members or a family representative desiring to witness the insertion of the coffin into the cremation chamber.
Understanding the Cremation Process
Following the funeral service, the coffin is moved to the crematorium, located on the grounds of the TS Burstow Funeral Home.
Once accepted by crematorium staff the coffin remains sealed throughout the cremation process.
Staff verify the identity of the deceased via the name plate on the coffin, ensuring the details match the 'Application for Cremation' (the document required by Health Department Regulations before a cremation can take place) and the two Medical Certificates or Coroner's Cremation Permit received from the funeral director. In addition to confirmation of death the medical certificate indicates if battery powered devices (such as a pace-maker) have been removed.
Flowers remaining with the coffin are cremated with the coffin. Families should ask their funeral director during the arrangement process if they wish to retain flowers following the funeral service.
The cremation will generally be carried out on the same day as the funeral service but, in accordance with Health Department Regulations, can occur up to 48 hours later.
If the cremation is not to occur immediately, the coffin is held in a temperature controlled holding room.
- The coffin is transferred onto an insertion trolley.
- The name plate is removed, and placed alongside the cremator, for identification throughout the process.
- The coffin is inserted into the cremator.
- In all cases, the coffin and deceased are cremated together. Cremation begins immediately once the coffin is inserted into the cremator.
Cremators generally comprise of a main cremating chamber, a secondary air chamber and a holding chamber.
In accordance with Health Department Regulations, coffins must be cremated individually, in other words, only one coffin is ever placed inside the main cremation chamber at any one time. Likewise there may only be one body per coffin except in special circumstances which require permission from the Director General of Health.
At the completion of the main phase of the cremation process the cremated remains are moved into the holding chamber to finalise the cremation. Once finalised, the cremated remains are placed into a cooling container. When cooled, metallic contents (prostheses, coffin nails etc) are separated from the remains and disposed of in an appropriate manner.
Commonly cremated remains are referred to as 'ashes'. However, technically there are no ashes, what are left are the fragile calcified bone fragments.
The cremated remains are transferred to a processor to reduce the bone fragments to a fine granule type consistency which in turn is placed in a sealed container. the name plate and an identifying label are attached.
The container accommodates all of the cremated remains. In the unusual event that an ash container is insufficient to hold all of the ashes, an extra container is used.
Ash containers are held until instructions are received from the family or applicant. The ashes are then, subject to Health Department Regulations, dealt with according to the instruction given.
After a cremation, metals remaining range from nails, staples and fittings from the coffin/casket, through to orthopedic implants, jewellery and even dental implants. These are separated and collected for recycling by OrthoMetals.
OrthoMetals is a fully certified; family owned and operated business and take great care in the recycling of remaining metals for crematoria.
At their partner foundries, the sorted metals are smelted for re-use. None of the metals will be recognisably re-used for other purposes than the original purpose.
The metals are sold at intraday prices (precious metals) or market prices (non-ferrous and implants).
After deduction of OrthoMetals costs, most of the proceeds are returned to the crematoria.
Burstows choose to donate the full proceeds to charity and our current beneficiaries are:
Toowoomba Hospice
The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation
Toowoomba Legacy Inc.
Interesting Facts
- Over 130 000 people die in Australia each year.
- 56% of people currently opt for cremation with the number slowly increasing. In urban area where crematoria are more readily available the rate approaches 70%.
- Cremation is usually not acceptable within Orthodox Judaism, Islam and Eastern Orthodoxy. However, most Christian denominations approve cremation, and it is the preferred method among Hindus and many Buddhists.
- The Roman Catholic Church no longer considers there to be a danger that Christian cremation will be associated with non-Christian belief, or with a denial of such doctrines as the resurrection of the body, immortality of the soul, and the existence of eternal life. The Catholic Church recommends cremated remains are disposed of in a way that indicates respect for the body of the deceased person. A memorial in a public place is favoured so that even in death the deceased person's commitment to Christianity is still proclaimed.
- Once the crematorium has accepted the coffin it may not be opened.
- One person is only ever cremated at a time. The only exception is in the case of a mother and baby or twin children. It may also be acceptable for both a mother and baby or twin children to be in the same coffin. In these instances, the process would only occur as a result of a direction from the authorised family member.
- A cremator is made from refractory (heat resistant) bricks and fuelled by natural gas.
- All coffin handles are cremated unless they hinder the cremation process.
- The time taken to cremate will depend on many factors including body mass, bone density and the materials from which the coffin is manufactured. The average time for an adult cremation is 90 minutes at a temperature of between 800 and 1000 degree Celsius.
- On average from insertion to final cooling the cremation process may take up to four hours.
At Burstows, we have a fleet of professionally coach-built vehicles designed in every aspect to reflect the dignity of the occasion. From its subtle colours to the premium interiors, our fleet has the versatility to meet any special request you may have.
Trevor and Don's 1924 Master Buick hearse
This beauty is believed to be originally owned by Hislop Funerals. Trevor and Don Burstow found the Buick under a house in Sandgate and, recognising the vehicle's potential, immediately made the purchase.
With parts sourced far and wide and unavailable broken or missing parts painstakingly reproduced, this vehicle has been built by hand from the ground up over four years. From the firewall back, the timberwork and the extensive repairs to panels, including brasswork, the body has been hand fabricated by the tradesmen at Classic Ridz. Trevor and Don are proud to put this piece of history back into service.
1860 Horse Drawn Hearse
Harley Davidson Road King Classic Hearse
1934 Ford Hearse
Chrysler Hearse
The Pioneers Room, Burstows' catering facility, is located on-site but separate from the Chapel and Funeral Home. This facility provides a private venue to meet after the funeral where the atmosphere is friendly and uplifting. The Pioneers Room has been the setting for many gatherings where family and friends have laughed, cried and begun the healing together.
Our delicious comfort food choices are freshly prepared and baked on-site on the day of your gathering.
Room Hire - $150.00
- Room hire allows use of the lounge for 90 minutes.
- Use of The Pioneers Room after normal business hours will incur an extra fee.
- All prices include GST.
- The premises are not licensed to serve alcohol.
Menu Selection
For just $19.50 per person, plus room hire of $150, a buffet style offering will include gourmet sandwiches, slices and petite blueberry, double choc, luscious raspberry, and pineapple and cream muffins, scones with jam and cream, passionfruit sponge and featured self-serve cheesecake, specialty cake and fruit platter. Our bottomless tea, coffee, juice and water is included. Hot food platters including sausage rolls, mini pies, spring rolls and chunky chips can be added at $40 per platter. A surcharge will apply for weekends or after 5 pm.
After Hours Charges
Monday to Friday before 6pm - Room Hire only
Monday to Friday after 6pm - Room Hire plus an additional $380
Saturdays - Room Hire plus an additional $380
Sundays - Room Hire plus an additional $380
Public Holidays - Room Hire plus an additional $480
Gallery
Gallery
In the event of a death in the family, contact Burstows without delay. A funeral director is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and will provide help and guidance from the first contact.
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