Different types of services

Key considerations

There are many different options for funerals and memorial services. Common things people consider when organising a service include:

• the location of a burial plot or memorial
• whether burial or cremation and what kind of coffin
• the date (particularly if guests are travelling)
• who to invite to the service
• who will speak at the service and what might be said at the service
• what is in the memorial booklet
• what clothing you would like the deceased person to wear
• whether you want to hold a wake.

Funerals are usually held at a dedicated funeral home, cemetery or crematorium. 

A memorial service can be held anywhere (often in someone’s home). Memorial services do not involve burial or cremation. 

Cultural or religious customs and practices 

While many funeral directors arrange funerals or burials that are in line with cultural or religious practices, not all of them do.

Make sure you talk to your funeral director as soon as possible to make sure they are able to provide the type of service that you need. 

If you do not want to hold a service 

You are not legally required to hold a service.

However, if you do not hold an official service, you will still need to organise what's referred to as a 'no service, no attendance' burial or cremation. The cheapest option for this is direct cremation.