How To Arrange A Funeral In Victoria
A simple step-by-step guide to help families understand the options, decisions and timeframes involved when arranging a funeral in Victoria.
Prepared by Damian Meehan | Crane Funerals.
Approximate reading time 16 minutes.
“One of the most common mistakes I’ve seen families make during my 3 decades of guiding them, is feeling the need to decide everything immediately. In reality, many important decisions are better made after everyone has had a chance to gather, talk and consider the options available.”
What needs to happen first?
• Have the death certified and have the person transferred into care (varies depending on circumstances)
• Funeral director engaged
• Burial or cremation considered
• Family members informed
• Take a breath — most decisions do not need to be made immediately
This article is a step by step funeral arranging guide for families
In Victoria, most funeral arrangements do not need to be finalised immediately.
Families are often surprised to learn that they usually have several days to consider their options and discuss arrangements together.
In most cases, the first priority is simply ensuring the person has been formally certified as deceased and transferred into appropriate care.
Once this has occurred, there is usually time to make thoughtful decisions rather than rushed ones.
Most people have never needed to arrange a funeral before. When a death occurs, it is common to feel uncertain about what needs to happen first, what decisions need to be made, and how much time is available.
This guide outlines the main steps involved in arranging a funeral in Victoria and explains some of the choices families are commonly asked to make.
Step 1: Decide Between Burial & Cremation
One of the first decisions is whether the person will be buried or cremated.
This choice may be influenced by family traditions, religious or cultural beliefs, personal wishes, environmental considerations, or practical factors such as location and cost.
The funeral service itself can be very similar regardless of whether burial or cremation is chosen. In most cases, the main difference is what happens following the ceremony.
If you would like to understand the options available, you can read more on our:
We are always happy to explain the differences and help families choose an approach that feels right for their circumstances.
Step 2: Choose the type of funeral or memorial service
Many people prefer to have a funeral director fully coordinate most aspects of the service for them. This takes added pressure off the family, and allows them to spend more time supporting one another in the days following their loss – which can be important.
Others prefer a greater level of involvement in the arrangements – perhaps taking over many aspects themselves, such as:
• Selecting and booking venues for the service and wake
• Organising flowers
• Organising a celebrant or clergy member
• Preparing service booklets and photo tribute / music
There is no right or wrong approach. It’s important to choose a level of involvement that feels comfortable for you and your family.
A useful starting point is deciding what type of gathering feels right for your family. Once that has been decided, you can consider whether you would like the coffin present, whether an urn containing ashes would be appropriate, or whether you would prefer a private cremation without a ceremony.
Funeral Service with Coffin Present
Traditionally, a funeral service takes place with the coffin present prior to cremation or burial.
Factors to consider might include:
• Budget
• Logistics
• Religious or Cultural traditions
• The wishes of the deceased
• If your family are local, or many live Interstate or Overseas
“We are all different, so take your time to make a judgement that suits you.”
Memorial Service Following Cremation
If you are considering having ashes only instead of the coffin being present, then the service can proceed in a similar manner, but generally referred to by a different name – Memorial Service.
This often provides more flexibility, especially in the “DIY funeral” world. Many aspects of the service on the day can be simplified, ie no coffin/pall bearers are needed; you don’t need a large floral arrangement like you may normally have on a coffin; and the list of venues available to you can expand greatly.
Many families choose to display personal items, photographs, flowers or memorabilia alongside the urn to create a meaningful tribute.
Private Cremation Without a Ceremony
Then of course is the option of a private cremation without a ceremony at all. This will be the most cost effective solution when budget is a factor.
While a private cremation without a ceremony is the most economical option, it is worth considering the role that funerals and memorial services have traditionally played in helping families and communities process grief.
Without a service, some people miss an important opportunity to acknowledge their loss, share their grief, and receive support from family and friends.
To help you plan your funeral arrangements, you might like further information which is available on our services pages, by visiting the links below:
Family-led / DIY funeral service
Fully coordinated funeral service
Memorial service following cremation
Private / Unattended cremation without a ceremony
Step 3: Select A Venue
The venue often helps shape the atmosphere of the day. Some families prefer the traditional familiarity of a church or chapel, while others choose a garden, golf club, surf club, community hall or private residence that holds personal meaning.
The best venue is usually one that feels comfortable for your family and suitable for the number of people expected to attend.
- Chapel
- Church
- Function centre
- Golf club
- Surf club
- Home gathering
You might like to consider some of the venues we offer for funeral services. Don’t limit yourself to what we have listed – if there is a venue you have in mind, we are happy to contact them and discover what they can offer for a funeral or memorial service. Follow the link below to our funeral venues page:
Step 4: Decisions That Can Usually Wait
Your selection of venue, day and date, and burial or cremation will generally be the most pressing decisions early in the funeral arrangement process.
Many other decisions can usually wait, allowing you time to make clearer choices that suit your family:
• Music selections
• Photo tributes
• Flowers for the coffin or venue
• Booklets to give mourners at the service
• Catering arrangements
• Speakers and eulogies
Step 5: Common Mistakes Families Make
There are several possible mistakes that can be avoided with a little forethought:
- Rushing decisions unnecessarily
- Assuming a funeral must follow a traditional format
- Not discussing costs before committing
- Trying to organise everything alone
You may find our free guides helpful:
Step 6: Consider Personal Touches
Personal touches often become the elements people remember most about the farewell ceremony.
Music, photographs, flowers and other meaningful items can help tell the story of a life and create a more personal farewell.
Objects can be placed on the table with a memorial book for people to sign; or around – or on top of – the coffin or urn.
Personal touches can include:
Step 7: Understand The Costs And Different Approaches Involved
In practice, funeral services can differ significantly — particularly in the level of personal care, clarity, and guidance provided.
Some are highly structured and process driven.
Others take the time to listen carefully and shape each farewell around the wishes of the family.
The difference is not always obvious at the beginning — but it often becomes clear in how the experience feels in those quiet moments afterwards.
With thoughtful guidance, families can focus on remembering, rather than worrying about whether everything has been done properly.
Depending on your choices, funeral costs can vary considerably. It’s worth taking the time to gather clear and transparent advice.
While cost is naturally an important consideration, many families later reflect that the care, communication and guidance they received were equally important in shaping their experience.
The right support often brings a sense of calm and confidence – something that is difficult to measure, but deeply felt.
Common Questions People Ask
How quickly does a funeral need to take place?
Many families are surprised to learn that a funeral does not usually need to be arranged immediately.
In most cases, there is time to consider your options, speak with family members, and make thoughtful decisions rather than rushed ones.
While practical factors such as venue availability, interstate or overseas travel, religious & cultural requirements, or cemetery and crematorium bookings can influence timing, most funerals in Victoria take place within one to two weeks following a death.
If you are unsure, your funeral director can explain the options available and help determine a timeframe that suits your family.
What happens when a person dies at home in Melbourne?
The first steps will depend on whether the death was expected or unexpected.
If the person was receiving palliative care or their death was anticipated, a doctor, nurse or palliative care team will usually need to confirm the death before a funeral director can bring the person into care. The cause of death certificate may be completed before or after this.
If the death was sudden or unexpected, emergency services should be contacted, as police or the Coroner may need to become involved.
Many families are surprised to learn there is often more time available than they initially realise, and most decisions do not need to be made immediately when stress is high.
For a more detailed explanation, including what to do in different circumstances, read our guide: What Happens When someone dies at home in Melbourne?
Can we spend time with the deceased before the funeral?
Yes. In many cases, families can spend time with the person who has died before the funeral service takes place.
This may involve a private family viewing, a time of quiet reflection, or simply an opportunity to say goodbye in a more personal setting.
For some families, this can be an important and meaningful part of the grieving and arrangement process.
The options available will depend on factors such as the circumstances of the death, the condition of the person being cared for, and the time that has passed since death.
Your funeral director can explain what is possible and help arrange a suitable opportunity if this is something your family would value.
Can we organise a funeral without using a chapel?
Absolutely. In their role as a path through grief, funerals should remain flexible to the wishes of each family.
While chapels remain a popular choice, many families now choose to hold funeral or memorial services in locations that better reflect the life and personality of the person being remembered.
Depending on the type of service being planned, options may include churches, community halls, gardens, function centres, golf clubs, surf clubs, private properties, or other meaningful locations, including at your own home.
The most important consideration is choosing a venue that feels comfortable for your family and is suitable for the number of people expected to attend.
Your funeral director can help explain the practical requirements and discuss the options available.
Can ashes be present at a memorial service?
Definitely.
In fact, most memorial services are held with an urn containing ashes present.
Some families find this provides a focal point for the service while offering greater flexibility in timing and venue selection. Others choose to display personal items, photographs, flowers or memorabilia alongside the urn to create a meaningful tribute.
There is no right or wrong approach. The most important thing is creating a gathering that reflects the life, wishes and personality of the person being remembered.
How much does a funeral cost in Victoria?
The cost of a funeral in Victoria can vary significantly depending on the type of service being arranged.
Factors such as burial or cremation, venue selection, cemetery or crematorium fees, flowers, celebrants, service booklets, catering and other personal touches can all influence the final cost.
Many families are surprised to learn there are a wide range of options available, from simple private cremations through to larger, more traditional funeral services.
For a detailed explanation of funeral costs and the options available, you may find our guide helpful: Understanding Funeral Costs & Options
The Importance Of Gathering
Throughout history, people have gathered to acknowledge a death, share memories, support one another and mark an important transition in life.
Following the restrictions experienced during COVID, many people chose private cremation without a funeral ceremony. In the years that have followed, some have found their grief resurfacing in unexpected ways and more intensely than they had anticipated.
As many psychologists, grief counsellors and researchers have observed, rituals and shared remembrance can play an important role in the grieving process.
As author Han Kang wrote in Human Acts:
“When you died I could not hold a funeral, so my life became a funeral.”
A Final Thought
At such an important time, families deserve the reassurance of knowing exactly who is caring for the person they have entrusted to others — and how much guidance they will receive along the way.
Every funeral is different because every person is different.
Some families prefer a traditional church funeral service, others a gathering in a garden, golf club or community hall. Some choose burial, others cremation. Some want extensive involvement in the arrangements, while others prefer professional guidance.
There is no single “correct” way to arrange a funeral.
The most meaningful funerals are usually those that reflect the life, values and wishes of the person being remembered.
Guiding families across the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne’s Eastern & South Eastern Suburbs.
“Many families find the easiest next step is simply a conversation — not decisions.”
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