Your guide to planning a funeral

When a loved one dies, it’s important to reach out to someone who can help you move through the next steps. It could be a close friend, family member, local funerals specialist, clergy member, or your family doctor. Having someone by your side can make those first few hours a little easier.

If you’re unsure who to call, our team is available 24 hours a day.

What happens next will depend on where and how your loved one passes away. If your loved one dies in a hospital, hospice or aged-care facility, staff will guide you through the process and arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate Cause of Death. If your loved one passes away at home, work or while travelling, contact a doctor or call emergency services so a medical professional can confirm the death and issue the certificate. 

If you’re unsure who to call, your funeral specialists can advise you on the right steps.

Funeral planning is different for everyone. What works for one family might not work for another, and that’s okay. The first step is determining what’s right for your loved one, your family and your circumstances. 

Consider factors like budget, timing, religious or cultural traditions, and any personal wishes that may have been shared. These first decisions can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to make them alone. Your White Lady funeral specialists can help you understand your options, identify what’s achievable within your budget, and share their experience from helping many families plan their farewells. And if we’re not the right funerals specialist for you, that’s okay too – we can still help you get started in the right direction.

Planning a funeral involves managing an event while carrying the weight of grief. There are logistics to consider, paperwork to complete and countless small decisions to make. A funeral specialist can help carry the load. At White Lady Funerals, we take as much as we can off your shoulders so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your loved ones.

Your first meeting with a White Lady funeral specialists will be completely tailored to your needs. You might want to move through the practicalities and get the process over with – we get it. Or, you may want to take your time – we’ll go at your pace. Chances are, you’ll not know how you’ll feel until you’re sitting with us, and that’s okay, too. We’ll meet you wherever you’re at. 

Our advice is simple: you don’t need to prepare or perform. We’ll do our best to put you at ease and help you feel comfortable. This is not a situation where you need to have everything figured out.

A viewing is a private opportunity for close family and friends to spend time with their loved one before the funeral. It can be held at the funeral home, in a chapel, or even in your own home. A viewing is entirely optional – your White Lady funeral specialists will help you decide what feels right and arrange any special touches like music, flowers or photos.

Many people worry that working with a funeral specialist means giving up control of being guided into a service that doesn’t reflect their loved one. We understand that concern – but it couldn’t be further from how we work. At White Lady Funerals, every funeral we help plan is designed around the person being honoured. We can suggest ways to include personal touches, unique rituals or special details, but you’ll always set the direction and have the final say.

Repatriation is the process of bringing your loved one home after they’ve passed away interstate or overseas. It can involve complex logistics, including transport arrangements, consular documents and compliance with local regulations. Our team can manage a lot of the repatriation requirements on your behalf.