Funeral directors have the crucial role of handling all the arrangements for a funeral, allowing the grieving family and friends to properly acknowledge the passing of their loved one.

Many difficult arrangements must be made before a deceased person can be laid to rest, and this is where a funeral director’s services are indispensable. The funeral director is the main liaison between the next of kin and the cemetery, religious figure, hospital morgue and any others concerned. Funeral homes will also provide a chapel or other appropriate place to host the service, as required according to spiritual or cultural needs. Alternatively, the funeral director can organise for the service to be held at the deceased person’s church or place of worship. The funeral director can provide a special room or gathering place for a visitation – often referred to as a wake and sometimes held a day or two before the service. This can also be held directly before the funeral service, especially if family and friends must travel a long distance, or are elderly.

The funeral director will look after all paperwork, including certificates, death notices and funeral notices, will organise the transfer of the deceased person and the hearse on the day of the funeral, and can supply flowers and wreaths, and can provide transport for the immediate family to the service and funeral. The funeral service can reflect the deceased person’s religious or spritiual beliefs, and can be a traditional sevice, an outside gathering in a natural setting, or a celebration of the person’s life. A graveside service can be arranged and special requests are catered for, such as the release of doves or butterflies, or many coloured balloons. The funeral director can organise a memorial, whether it be a simple tombstone or an eleaborate family crypt, and can arrange future burial sites so loved ones can be next to each other. Following a cremation, an ashes scatering can be arranged, perhaps at sea, in the air, at a favourite fishing spot or on a golf course. Family often also keep ashes in a small urn. The funeral director will also ensure that permission has been obtained from authorities as necessary.

As a guide to funeral costs, a basic cremation starts at about $3,000, and a funeral ranges from $4,500 to $10,000 and above, depending on the timber used for the coffin etc. The funeral director can organise online tributes, where family and friends can post photos, videos, music and messages. Most funeral directors now offere pre-paid funeral plans, so it is not a financial burden on those left behind. Some of the larger funeral directors also offer of after-care programs and services to help grieving partners, family members and friends once the funeral service is over. Activities include special memorial services on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day and at Christmas. They may also provide information on “dealing with grief” topics, and counselling services.