Frequently asked questions

Firstly, we’re very sorry for your loss. In the hours after someone dies, you should:

• Contact their doctor to organise any necessary paperwork 

• Call a funeral director to arrange the pick-up of your loved one

• Begin notifying close family when you’re ready

If you’re unsure of what happens next, our funeral directors are only a phone call away. They’ll explain everything clearly, so you know what to do. We’re available 24/7. 

After you contact our caring team – we’re available 24/7 – we’ll arrange to collect your loved one and bring them into our care. We’ll then walk you through the next steps, including finding a time to meet with a Simplicity funeral director and begin planning the farewell.

There’s no rush. Once your loved one is in our care, you can take your time to plan the service. Many families hold the funeral within a week of passing, but there is plenty of room for flexibility if you have family travelling from abroad or the death was unexpected and you’re simply not ready.

Any kind you like! At Simplicity Funerals, we’ve always been known for our simple, affordable pricing. But we have the experience and resources to plan even the most elaborate farewells. We’ll work with you to determine what matters most, as well as your budget. Then, together, we’ll craft a service that reflects the life of your loved one in a way that feels unique and appropriate for your family. 

If your loved one didn’t leave a record of their funeral preferences, we can help you navigate the important decisions and choose what feels right. We’ll explain all the options and give you time to discuss with close family members.

For your first meeting, it’s a good idea to bring the following:

• A support person – you don’t have to do this alone

• Identification documents to help us begin the necessary paperwork

• Funeral plans or wishes (if documented)

• A recent photo of your loved one

When you arrange the meeting, your funeral director will let you know if there’s anything else you need to bring along.

No, if your loved one was not aligned with a particular religion or culture, you can plan a meaningful, personalised service without the religious elements.

We work with local faith leaders and community groups to understand the needs and traditions of those in our area. Across Australia, we’ve planned funerals for a range of religions, including Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic and many more. We will always liaise with you to ensure you’re happy with the service elements. 

A funeral service usually takes place within a week or so of someone’s passing. It’s carried out alongside either a burial or cremation. A memorial service typically takes place later – sometimes a full year after someone has died. They usually mark the anniversary of someone’s passing or take place once the family is ready to publicly say goodbye.

Yes, we encourage it. Whether it's playing their favourite songs, displaying treasured photos, or incorporating meaningful objects or rituals, we'll help you create a service that truly reflects who they were and the memories you hold dear.

We can help you incorporate eco-friendly choices such as biodegradable caskets, natural materials, locally sourced flowers or sustainable keepsakes, ensuring the service aligns with your loved one's values.

Our Simplicity funeral homes have modern, well-appointed chapels that you’re welcome to use. However, if you wish to have the service somewhere else, we can arrange that. Many families choose to have the funeral at a local place of worship, private property or even a favourite park or beach. We'll coordinate all the logistics to make sure the venue you choose feels right and reflects your loved one's story.

That’s what we’re here for. We’ll manage the paperwork and logistics so you can focus on being with your family. We’ll let you know what information we need during the process, without overwhelming you.

We believe budget should not be a barrier to planning a meaningful goodbye. At Simplicity, we’ve spent almost 50 years helping families celebrate their loved ones – from the simplest farewells to more elaborate celebrations. Our packages provide a clear starting point with room to personalise from there. Your funeral director will work with you to understand your situation and craft a service to suit your budget.

Viewings are completely optional. In some cultures, viewing the body is an important part of the funeral ritual. For others, it can bring a sense of closure and acceptance – which helps with the grieving process. But for others, it can be too painful to see their loved one in that state. We’ll discuss it as an option and be guided by you. 

Yes, many families include children. They often cope better than expected when gently prepared. In the lead-up to the viewing, we can help them understand what to expect and suggest ways to be involved, such as writing a letter or drawing a picture.

Yes, a viewing can take place whether you’ve chosen a burial or cremation. 

We aim to create a calm and peaceful environment – soft lighting, gentle music (if you wish) and seating to settle into. Your loved one will be present, but it’s up to you if their coffin or casket is open or closed.

There are personal, cultural and practical considerations when choosing between burial and cremation. 

Some people feel strongly one way or the other – if this is the case, it may have even come up in conversation with your loved one before they died. If they have relatives who were buried, they may wish to be buried alongside them. Others would prefer to be kept in an urn at the family home. 

In some cultures, it is clear what the custom is. For example, Buddhism follows the tradition of the Buddha, who was cremated. On the other hand, Judaism prohibits cremation in favor of burial. 

There’s also a matter of cost. Cremations are typically more affordable since no burial plot needs to be purchased. 

We’ll help you discuss the options with your family to decide what feels right.

Yes, a funeral service can take place whether you choose burial or cremation. A coffin or casket can be present for the service with either option.

After cremation, your loved one’s ashes will be returned to you – either in an urn of your choosing or a discreet, secure vessel. From there, you can choose to keep them at home, share them amongst family or scatter them somewhere meaningful.

Typically, a cremation is more affordable than burial since there’s no need for a burial plot, headstone or grounds upkeep. That said, the overall cost depends on the service you plan. We’ll walk you through the options to help you determine what’s best for you.

According to the NSW government, two out of three people who die in NSW each year are cremated.

An online memorial is a shared digital space to share photos, videos and stories of your loved one. Discover photos you’ve never seen of them before, shared by friends from years gone by. Hear new stories and new perspectives that add colour to your loved one’s memory. An online memorial helps capture the many sides of a person after they’re gone.

Access can be public or private. You can choose who is able to view or contribute, depending on what feels right for your family.

Online memorials are designed to be long-lasting. They remain accessible beyond the funeral or memorial service.

Yes, you can build on your online memorial over time. You might find old photos to add, or a video you forgot you had. Some people also add birthday or anniversary messages each year.

Of course, an online memorial is a beautiful way to gather memories of your loved one. It’s still suitable even if you’re not having a service.

Our secure, professional live-streaming equipment allows everyone to be part of the funeral service, even if they’re overseas or unwell. We partner with OneRoom Streaming, a trusted provider of funeral live-streaming services. It’s simple to arrange and easy for guests to access so they can attend remotely.

Only people you share the link with will be able to access the stream. The service is not publicly searchable or available.

No, the live-stream can be viewed on most devices through a web browser with standard internet or WiFi connection.

Yes, people can stream the service from anywhere in the world – as long as they have the secure link you share with them.

No. The equipment is discreet and professionally managed to minimise disruption. The camera and microphone equipment are permanent fixtures in the room, so you likely won’t notice them at all.

Our teams are on-hand to ensure things run smoothly. If a technical issue does occur, we’ll rectify it as quickly and smoothly as we can.

Repatriation means transporting your loved one home if they’ve died overseas or interstate. It’s a process that requires logistics, paperwork and organisation to ensure the safe return of your loved one’s body, before burial or cremation.

Let us know the situation, and we’ll liaise with the relevant authorities to organise their return to Australia. We’ll gather the information we need from you and try to handle as much of the logistics as we can.

Repatriation typically requires permits, a cause of death certificate and the translation of documents, depending on the destination. Your funeral director will let you know what’s required in your situation.

Costs can vary significantly depending on the destination, flight arrangements and other logistical considerations. Some insurances (like travel or life insurance) may help cover some of the costs. We’ll gather the information and present the costs to you.

Yes. If you’re unable to bring your loved one home, you may still have a funeral or memorial service for them with friends and family. We’ll discuss what that might look like.

Many of our Simplicity funeral homes have modern gathering rooms where families can spend time together right after the funeral. We partner with local caterers to serve food and drinks, and we can accommodate decorations, music and other items to make it feel special.

You can also hold the wake at a local pub, club or restaurant. Some families also choose to have it at home and cater themselves. It’s completely up to you.

We partner with local caterers to serve food and drinks at our funeral homes. However, in some cases, you may be able to bring your own food and drinks. Ask your funeral director about your options.

Yes, our team is experienced in planning all kinds of wakes – some lively and celebratory, other quiet and reflective. We’ll work with you to understand what feels right and help you carry it out as planned.

Most receptions last between two to three hours, but it’s completely up to you. For some people, the emotion of the day tires them out, while for others, the celebrations can last long into the night.

There are plenty of ways to plan a wake that feels unique to your loved one. You might host it at their favourite pub or local bowling club. You may choose to serve their favourite food or a drink they loved. You can also create a playlist with their favourite music, or a slideshow with photos from happier times.

A prepaid funeral plan is an arrangement that allows you to plan and pay for select items of a funeral service in advance. It’s an agreement between you, the funeral provider (us) and the plan provider (in this case, Guardian Plan). You’ll sit down with a Simplicity funeral director and determine what you’d like to include in your plan. We’ll note your choices and provide a quote. Then, your funds are invested in a funeral bond, managed by the Over Fifty Guardian Friendly Society Limited. When you pass away, your family will contact the funeral director  named in your plan and they will carry out the service as agreed.

Prepaid funeral plans may not be suitable for everyone. Some people value the peace of mind that comes from documenting their wishes and planning ahead, while others want the flexibility of changing the details down the track. It’s also worth considering that circumstances can change over time. Funeral prices may not increase as expected, or family members may make different choices when the time comes. It’s important to consider your individual situation and seek independent advice.

The cost depends on what you choose to include in your plan. At Simplicity, we offer package options to make the process simple – you’ll know exactly what’s included in the price. That said, some people prepay specific items, such as a coffin, while others choose to prepay a full funeral service. Costs vary based on personal preferences and inclusions.

With our partner Guardian Plan, you can choose to pay the full amount upfront, or make an initial contribution followed by monthly instalments over up to 36 months. Once the plan is paid in full, there is nothing more to pay for your chosen funeral inclusions. If your family would like to add things later on, they can do so at an extra cost.

Make sure you let someone in your life know that you’ve purchased a prepaid funeral plan. When the time comes, they will contact the funeral provider identified in your plan, and we’ll carry out the service from there. Your loved ones will still have an opportunity to sit down with a funeral director and discuss the details of the service, but they won’t need to worry about navigating the costs or preferences you’ve outlined in your plan.