When Someone Dies
The first call
From the moment you first contact the understanding staff at Finlayson & McKenzie, we take care and look after everything on your behalf.
Whether a death occurs at home, in hospital or in a public place, the first person who should be contacted is generally the deceased doctor.
A death certificate must be signed by a doctor or the coroner who will be able to explain what steps, if any, are needed to establish the cause of death. This is a necessity before Finlayson & McKenzie can proceed with the transfer, per legal requirements.
In most cases, the attending doctor will issue a cause of death certificate. In certain cases, however, it may not be legally possible for the doctor to issue a death certificate and there is necessity for police and coronal involvement.
The compassionate staff at Finlayson & McKenzie will arrange the transfer of your loved one into our care. This can be delayed for a little while if you would like some private time.
We are here to help an assist you at any hour of the day or night, every day of the year.
If appropriate, you may wish to call your Priest or Minister, you should also contact family members and friends that can be there for you through this emotional time.
The arrangement
The pain and grief of losing a loved one can be compounded by the often confusing funeral arrangements that must be attended to.
Finlayson & McKenzie are here to alleviate the often confusing funeral arrangements and guarantee peace of mind for you and your family.
At a time suitable to you, we can arrange the funeral at our funeral home or, if more convenient, at your own residence. The funeral arrangements can also be done over the phone and via email if need be.
A funeral can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. We will arrange everything on your behalf.
We provide a wide range of services to suit your personal needs. We take care of all the details on your behalf.
Some of our features include:
- Whether the deceased has already prearranged or prepaid their own funeral
- The location of service (the number of mourners expected to attend is often an important consideration when choosing a venue for the funeral service)
- The desired type of service
- Along with the content, music, readings, poetry, slide show presentation and order of service (these are optional)
- Whether a burial or cremation will follow the service
- Clergy/celebrant
- The choice of a coffin or a casket
- The selection of funeral notices
- Deciding on floral tributes
- Pallbearers
- The selection of funeral notices
- Would you like the funeral service to be live streamed via the internet?
- Would you like a viewing prior to the funeral service?
- Clothing for your loved one to be dressed in
Individual choice of funeral makes the event more meaningful for those attending. The order, content and style of service can all be varied to suit the family’s needs.
Our funeral consultants are experienced in all aspects of planning funerals and you can be assured of our commitment to making the funeral an appropriate and meaningful farewell and a fitting tribute to your loved one.
As your chosen funeral director, our role at Finlayson & McKenzie is to provide a very special service and ensure the wishes of the family and the deceased are filled. A funeral director advises on and arranges all the details that make up a funeral service.
Our responsibilities as your chosen funeral director include:
- Arrange all matter requested by the family, taking into consideration the legal, social, cultural and religious considerations relating to the deceased and to the mourners
- Transportation of the deceased from the place of death to the mortuary
- Preparation of the deceased
- Collation of certificates from hospital or doctor’s surgery
- Completion of statutory requirements
- Preparation and insertion of newspaper notices
- Contact with clergy or funeral celebrant
- Organise bookings at the venue, church, cemetery and/or crematorium
- Officially register the death
- Obtain copies of the death certificate
- Organise all details of the funeral service, including the supply of vehicles and pall bearers
- Advise on religious and ceremonial requirements in relation to the funeral service and to visitation and other customs prior to, during and after the funeral
As members of the Australian Funeral Directors Association, professional, understanding and caring service is assured. Our experienced staff will listen to what you have to say. We will assist you in any way we can.
