Covid-19 – Frequently Asked Questions

Are you still open?

Yes, we are committed to helping families farewell their loved ones respectfully and within the current Government regulations. We are still operating 24/7 to continue to serve our families during this time.

What will happen to the funeral we have coming up?

We can assure you that funeral ceremonies will proceed as scheduled. We will work with families to ensure services comply with the updated guidelines which limit attendees of funerals services to 10 mourners, excluding clergy / celebrant and staff. This is in addition to the existing guidelines which require funeral services to provide a minimum space of 4sqm per person and to ensure 1.5m social distancing practices are adhered to.

The health, safety and wellbeing of our team and the families we serve is of the utmost importance to us. We have been providing funeral and memorial services to Australians for many decades and will always put our client families at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to helping families farewell their loved ones respectfully and within the current and relevant Government advice and regulations.

I’m confused. How many people can attend the funeral?

The updated guidelines limit attendees of funerals services to 10 mourners, excluding clergy / celebrant and staff. However, we’ve been informed that some cases can have special relaxations and families need to contact their State government to request an exemption.

We are staying close to the most up-to-date information available from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, external medical experts and liaising with the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) and will keep you updated as much as possible.

How can I include others in my loved one’s funeral?

To help adhere to the new regulations, we recommend families consider live streaming, webcasting and recording audio-visual technology. We have many local suppliers who are available on request to assist with these requirements.

If we are burying our loved one, can more people attend the burial because it is being held outside?

10 mourners are allowed in an outdoor space, excluding clergy / celebrant and staff. This is in addition to the existing guidelines which require funeral services to provide a minimum space of 4sqm per person and to ensure 1.5m social distancing practices are adhered to.

Is the deceased considered one of the 100 in attendance?

No. It’s 10 people, excluding clergy / celebrant and staff.

Do the guidelines/restrictions effect the actual funeral ceremony or just the number of people attending?

At this stage there are no changes to the service itself. All services just need to be conducted within the guidelines/ restrictions for number of people and social distancing measures.

What are you doing to ensure you are compliant?

We are staying close to the most up-to-date information available from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, external medical experts and liaising with the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA).

To ensure our services comply with the existing guidelines which require funeral services to provide a minimum space of 4sqm per person and to ensure 1.5m social distancing practices are adhered to. We are also employing the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained.

What happens if my loved one had Coronavirus?

There are certain guidelines from the Department of Health which include restrictions for viewing and dressing of the deceased. They also include recommendations for no embalming for the safety of our teams. These restrictions would be discussed with you at the time to ensure you have the most relevant and up-to-date information.

What happens if Australia goes into complete lockdown, what will happen? Can we still hold a funeral and farewell our loved one?

We are staying close to the most up-to-date information available from the Australian Government’s Department of Health, external medical experts and liaising with the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA).

Do the same guidelines/restrictions apply if we have the funeral in a church?

Yes. The same restrictions apply in any location or venue.

Can we still have viewings?

Yes, however they must comply with Government regulations, which limits the number of attendees at one time in the viewing. Guests must have a minimum space of 4sqm per person and to ensure 1.5m social distancing practices are adhered to.

How long will these restrictions last?

We are unsure at this stage and in regular contact with the Australian Government’s Department of Health, external medical experts and liaising with the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA). These regulations are also been monitored by the State Government and police with on the spot fines.

For the latest advice, information and resources on COVID-19, please visit www.health.gov.au or call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

Contact Us