Civil and independent funerals

A civil funeral reflects the wishes of the deceased and their family.

It is a personal and dignified tribute created by a professional celebrant who works closely with the family or executor and funeral director.

The ceremony will be highly personal, created with the help of family and/or friends, recounting the person's experiences, attributes and qualities.

The civil funeral may be held anywhere except religious buildings and churches. The ceremony is appropriate for cremation or burial in a non-religious burial ground.

Independent funerals

Most people use the services of a Funeral Director who organises the funeral by collecting and removing the body, arranging embalming and viewing of the deceased, providing a coffin, hearse and other vehicles.

They will also contact the crematorium, clergy and doctors to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made, as well as the newspaper if you wish to have an obituary notice published.

There is no reason why you should not make all the arrangements yourself, including the provision of a ‘coffin’ and transportation of the deceased to the crematorium.

Copies of all the necessary forms are available from the crematorium and the staff will be happy to assist you in arranging their completion.