A funeral is an emotional family event.

That’s why it’s important to choose an experienced and reliable funeral director, who understands the unique needs of your family.
Our caring and professionally trained staff at Dailey Family Funerals will guide you through the many decisions and choices, to ensure your loved one’s funeral is a fitting reflection of their life

When a Death Occurs

At Dailey Family Funerals, we recognise that people generally only need to make funeral arrangements two or three times in their lives.

That’s why we’ve developed this overview of what to expect when making funeral arrangements with us.

Our Role

An important and traditional part of a funeral director’s role is to assist with the practical aspects of a funeral, such as care of the deceased, and coordinating when and where the funeral will be held.
These days, families are increasingly seeking guidance and advice on the celebratory aspects of a funeral, such as the style and content of the service, the choice of music, and other touches that reflect the life of the deceased.
At Dailey Family Funerals, we consider our staff to be funeral planners, in much the same way that a wedding planner coordinates and oversees all aspects of a wedding.

Our objective is to be your caring and trusted adviser, and to play a central, but unobtrusive role in planning what is often an important family event or celebration.

Immediate Steps

Death can occur in many different circumstances; at home, overseas, unexpectedly, in a hospital or nursing home.
During our initial discussion with you, we will generally make arrangements to:
• Transfer the deceased into our care; and
• Agree on a suitable time/place for us to meet with you, to discuss the funeral arrangements.
Both of these things usually happen within the first 24 hours after death occurs.

If you require our assistance at this time, please telephone our Funeral Advice Line at any time on (02) 4956 4221

Initial Arrangement Conference

Our initial face to face meeting with you is called the arrangement conference.
This conference can take place at your home, or in one of our conveniently located offices.
During this meeting, one of our caring Funeral Planners will assist you to decide on all of the many practical and celebratory aspects of the funeral.
A number of legal forms also need to be completed.

The arrangement conference is generally 1-2 hours in duration.
Examples of some of the decisions that need to be made include:
• When and where will the funeral be held?
• Will vehicles be required?
• Will there be a viewing?
• Will music be incorporated into the service?
• Will there be an Order of Service or any other presentation?
• Will the death and funeral be advertised in the newspaper?
• Will there be a gathering afterwards?
During the meeting, we record the decisions and choices made in a contract, and other documents, and leave you with a detailed estimate of the costs and disbursements associated with the funeral.

Our Funeral Planner will also ask you to supply clothing that your loved one will be dressed in. If you are undecided as to which clothing will be used we can arrange for collection of these garments at another suitable time.

What you can do in Advance

As there is often some time between the death and the arrangement conference, there are a number of things you can do to prepare for this meeting, such as

• Decide whether the funeral will be a burial or cremation;
• Decide on and gather together the clothing you may wish the deceased to wear;
• Give some thought to the wording of the personal notices you may wish to place in the newspaper.
It is also helpful to gather the personal details that are required to legally register the death with the office of Births, Deaths & Marriages. We can assist with this

Once the death is registered, Births, Deaths & Marriages will send you a formal death certificate, which is often needed in relation to any legal and estate issues that may need to be attended to. This can take 2-3 weeks to be sent.

After the Arrangement Conference

After the initial arrangement conference, we follow through on the various decisions made.

The many hours of planning and behind the scenes preparation is vital in ensuring that the funeral is carried out in accordance with your wishes.

A number of follow up phone calls are usually made during this period, to confirm or clarify outstanding issues and details.

Occasionally a further face to face meeting is needed.

On the Day of the Funeral

On the day of the funeral, you will meet one of our experienced funeral conductors, who is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the service. This will often be the funeral planner who assisted you to make the arrangements.

Our conductor’s primary focus is to ensure the service runs smoothly and that the day is as comfortable for you and your family as possible.

After the Funeral

Recognising that losing a loved one can be a life-changing experience, and we invite you to contact us following the funeral, if you feel we can help in any way.