Cremation is now the most common choice for funerals in Australia, with more than 70% of families choosing cremation rather than burial.
For many people, cremation feels like a simpler and more flexible option. It also allows families to decide later how they would like to memorialise their loved one.
If you’ve never arranged a cremation before, it’s natural to have questions about what happens and how the process works. This guide gently explains the steps involved so you know what to expect.
The first step is speaking with a funeral director who will guide you through the arrangements and handle the necessary paperwork.
During this stage, you may:
In Australia, cremations can only take place once the required permits and medical certificates have been issued.
Your funeral director helps manage this process so everything is handled properly and respectfully.
Many families choose to hold a funeral or celebration of life before the cremation takes place. This can happen in a variety of settings, including:
Funerals today are often more personal than traditional services. Families may include music, readings, photographs, or stories that reflect the person’s life. Some families choose to have a service before the cremation, while others prefer to hold a memorial later.
After the service (or directly after arrangements are made if there is no service), your loved one is carefully transferred to a crematorium.
Crematoria in Australia operate under strict regulations set by state authorities. These regulations ensure the process is carried out with dignity, care, and proper identification at every stage.
Before cremation takes place, staff complete several checks to confirm:
These procedures help ensure accuracy and respect throughout the process.
Once the necessary checks have been completed, the cremation takes place within a specialised chamber called a cremator. The process typically takes between one and two hours and is carefully monitored by trained crematorium staff.
Every crematorium has procedures to ensure the identity of the deceased is maintained throughout the entire process.
After the cremation is complete, the remains are gently processed into the ashes that families receive. These ashes are placed in a container and clearly labelled so they can be returned to the correct family.
This process is carried out with care and respect by crematorium staff.
Once the ashes are ready, they are returned to the funeral director or directly to the family, depending on the arrangements made. This usually happens within a few days of the cremation.
Families can then decide what they would like to do next. Some people choose to keep the ashes, while others prefer to place them in a memorial location or scatter them somewhere meaningful.
If you’d like ideas or guidance, you can read our guide on what to do with ashes after cremation.
Arranging a cremation can feel unfamiliar, especially if you’ve never had to organise a funeral before. A funeral director’s role is to guide you through each step, answer your questions, and make sure everything is handled with care.
If you would like to talk through cremation options or ask any questions, the team at Simplicity Funerals is here to help whenever you’re ready.
