Purpose and Benefits:

1. Personal Reflection: A living funeral allows the individual to reflect on their life, accomplishments, and relationships in a supportive and loving environment. It enables them to express their feelings, share their stories, and impart wisdom to their loved ones.

2. Closure and Farewell: For the individual and their loved ones, a living funeral offers a chance to say goodbye and find closure before the individual does pass away. It provides a meaningful way to express love, gratitude, and appreciation while creating lasting memories.

3. Celebration of Life: Unlike traditional funerals, which are often sombre occasions, a living funeral focuses on celebrating the individual's life and legacy. It allows them to be surrounded by joy, laughter, and positive energy, celebrating the moments and milestones that have shaped their journey.

4. Shared Experience: By participating in their tribute, the individual can witness firsthand the impact they have had on the lives of others and the love and support surrounding them. It enhances connection and unity among family and friends, strengthening bonds and fostering a spirit of togetherness.

5. Personalisation: A living funeral is usually personalised to reflect the individual's personality, interests, and preferences. Whether through music, readings, photos, or favourite activities, the service can be tailored to create a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone involved.

6. Legacy Building: By sharing their life stories, values, and lessons learned, individuals leave a lasting legacy that will inspire and uplift future generations. This allows them to pass on wisdom, traditions, and cherished memories to their loved ones.

Overall, a living funeral is a powerful and transformative experience that allows individuals to celebrate their life and say goodbye on their terms. It provides a sense of closure, connection, and peace during uncertainty while creating lasting memories and legacies that family and friends will cherish for years.

In addition to hosting a living funeral, individuals facing terminal illness or the end of their life may choose to pre-record a eulogy as an alternative option. This video recording can be played at the funeral service when they pass away, offering a heartfelt tribute and allowing them to participate in their farewell in a meaningful way.

1. Green Burials: Opt for environmentally-friendly burial practices, such as natural burials in biodegradable caskets or shrouds, without embalming fluids. This option allows the body to return to the earth more sustainably.

2. Celebration of Life Events: Instead of a traditional funeral service, host a celebration of life event, focusing on joyful memories, laughter, and shared experiences rather than mourning. This can include music, storytelling, and activities that reflect the deceased's personality.

3. Ash Scattering Ceremony: Scatter the cremated remains of the deceased in a meaningful location, such as a favourite park, beach, or mountain peak. This allows family and friends to participate in a ritual honouring the individual's connection to nature. (be sure to check local laws before doing any scatterings)

4. Memorial Tree Planting: Plant a memorial tree in honour of the deceased, either at a designated memorial garden or in a location that holds significance to the individual. This living tribute provides a lasting symbol of their life and legacy. 

5. Artistic Memorials: Commission a custom-made art piece, sculpture, or memorial bench in memory of the deceased. This artistic tribute can be displayed in a public space, garden, or cemetery, serving as a unique and tangible reminder of their presence.

6. Digital Memorials: Create a digital memorial website or online tribute page where family and friends can share memories, photos, and stories of the deceased. This virtual space allows loved ones to connect and honour the individual's life anywhere.

7. Scattering at Sea: Arrange for a sea burial or ash scattering ceremony aboard a boat or at sea. This option offers a peaceful and serene setting for saying goodbye, surrounded by the ocean's vastness. (be sure to check local laws before doing any scatterings)

8. Sky Lantern Release: Organize a sky lantern release ceremony where participants write messages or prayers on paper lanterns before releasing them into the sky. This symbolic gesture represents the release of the spirit and offers a sense of hope and connection to the heavens. (be sure to check local laws and use only biodegradable products)

9. Memory Quilts or Keepsakes: Create memory quilts, blankets, or keepsakes using clothing or personal items belonging to the deceased. These tangible mementos provide comfort and warmth while preserving cherished memories.

10. Themed Memorials: Host a themed memorial event based on the deceased's interests, hobbies, or passions. This could include a sports-themed gathering, a musical tribute concert, or a garden party inspired by their love of nature.

These unique funerals and memorial options offer opportunities for personalisation, creativity, and meaningful tribute, allowing family and friends to celebrate the life and legacy of their loved one in a way that reflects their unique personality and spirit.

• Sunrise and sunset services

• At home services

• Funeral at sea

• Writing notes and drawing pictures on the coffin

• Photo memorial book 

• Living eulogy video pre-recording 

• Living funerals

• Memorial services and re-memorial 

• Human composting 

• Themed - costumes, colours, significant memories- everyone dresses for the occasion. 

Benefits of Non-Attended Cremations/Burials:

1. Cost-Effectiveness: Direct cremations or burials are typically more affordable than traditional funeral services, eliminating the need for embalming, viewings, ceremonies, and related expenses.

2. Simplicity: Non-attended cremations or burials offer straightforward and streamlined care for your loved one without the complexities or logistical challenges associated with planning and coordinating a funeral service.

3. Privacy: Some individuals may prefer a non-attended cremation or burial for privacy or personal preference. This allows for a more intimate and private farewell without the presence of mourners or attendees.

4. Time-Saving: Direct cremations or burials can be arranged relatively quickly, allowing for prompt disposition of the deceased and minimizing the waiting period for family members.

Downsides of Not Having a Funeral/Memorial Service:

1. Lack of Closure: For family and friends, not having a funeral or memorial service may result in unresolved grief and lack of closure. Without the opportunity to gather, mourn, and honour the deceased, the grieving process may be more challenging.

2. Missed Opportunity for Tribute: Funeral and memorial services provide an essential opportunity for family and friends to pay tribute to the deceased, share memories, and support one another. Not having a service may deprive loved ones of this meaningful opportunity for remembrance and healing.

3. Limited Support: Funeral and memorial services offer a supportive environment where mourners can come together, express their emotions, and receive comfort and support from others experiencing similar loss. Without a service, individuals may feel isolated or unsupported in their grief.

4. Delayed Grieving: Postponing or forgoing a funeral or memorial service may result in delayed grieving for family members and friends, as they may not have the opportunity to fully process their emotions and begin the healing process.

Memorial Service Option:

For families who choose non-attended cremations or burials but feel the need for a memorial service to honour their loved one and facilitate the grieving process, the option is to arrange a memorial service even years after the individual has passed away. This allows families to come together, celebrate the life and legacy of their loved one, and find comfort and support in the company of others. A memorial service provides an opportunity for closure, healing, and remembrance, helping individuals navigate their grief and honour the memory of their loved ones in a meaningful way.

A "Re-Memorial Service," also known as a "Celebration of Life," is a special type of memorial service held for individuals who were cremated some time ago, ranging from several weeks to years. These services offer an opportunity for family and friends to come together to commemorate the life and legacy of their loved one, even after the cremation has taken place.

Key Features of Memorial Services:

1. Personalisation: Memorial services can be tailored to reflect the deceased's personality, interests, and values, creating a unique and meaningful tribute. This may include music, readings, photos, videos, and other elements that capture the essence of their life.

2. Flexibility: Unlike traditional funerals, which are often held shortly after the death, memorial services can be scheduled at the most convenient and meaningful time for family and friends. This allows for greater flexibility in planning and coordination.

3. Healing and Support: Memorial services allow family and friends to come together, share memories, and find comfort and support in each other's company. They create a supportive environment for mourning, reflection, and healing. This is especially useful when people can't quickly attend a funeral at short notice. 

4. Celebration of Life: Rather than focusing on grief and loss, memorial services celebrate the life and legacy of the deceased. They emphasise joyful memories, laughter, and shared experiences, allowing attendees to celebrate their loved one's impact on the world.

5. Closure: Memorial services can help facilitate the grieving process and provide a sense of closure for family and friends. They offer an opportunity to say goodbye, honour the memory of the deceased, and begin the journey of healing and acceptance.

A "Re-Memorial Service" extends these principles to individuals cremated some time ago. It serves as a second opportunity for family and friends to come together to remember and honour their loved one, even after the cremation has taken place. This option is helpful for delayed grieving, closure, and the opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of the deceased in a meaningful and heartfelt way.

The typical steps in the cremation process are as follows:

1. Preparation: Before cremation, the body is prepared. Removal of metals such as jewellery, medical equipment, pacemakers, and other items unsuitable for cremation. The body is then placed in a cremation container or casket.

2. Cremation: The body is transferred to a cremation chamber that burns to temperatures ranging from 800 to 1000 degrees Celsius. This high heat causes the body to combust and reduce to bone fragments.

3. Processing: After cremation, the bone fragments are cooled before being processed into a fine powder known as cremains or ashes. Any metal implants or prosthetics are removed, and the ashes are collected and placed in a temporary or permanent urn.

4. Final Disposition: Families have various options for the final disposition of the ashes. They may choose burial in a cemetery plot, scattering at a meaningful location, or keeping the ashes in a memorial urn at home.

Cremation in Australia:

Cremation has gained popularity in Australia, with a significant percentage of families opting for this method of disposition. Australia's national average cremation rate is approximately 75%+, indicating a preference for cremation over traditional burial.

Contributing factors to cremation's popularity in Australia include cost-effectiveness, environmental considerations, flexibility in memorialisation options, and evolving cultural and religious attitudes toward death and funeral practices.

In conclusion, cremation offers a dignified and practical alternative to traditional burial, allowing families to honour their loved ones' wishes while providing a meaningful way to remember and celebrate their lives.

The typical steps in the burial process are as follows:

1. Preparation: Before burial, the body undergoes preparation, including embalming (if desired), dressing, and placement in a casket or coffin. The casket may be personalised with decorations or inscriptions.

2. Graveside Service: A graveside service is often held at the burial site, where family and friends gather to pay their final respects, offer prayers or eulogies, and participate in religious or cultural rituals.

3. Interment: The deceased's casket is lowered into the prepared grave plot. Once the casket is placed in the grave, it is covered with soil, and any final rites or blessings may be performed.

4. Memorialisation: Following the burial, families may erect a headstone or grave marker at the gravesite to memorialise the deceased. This marker may include the individual's name, dates of birth and death, and other personal inscriptions or symbols.

Burial in Australia: 

Burial remains a common choice for disposition in Australia, with many families opting for traditional interment in cemeteries or memorial parks. While cremation rates have increased, burials are a significant part of Australian funeral customs.

Factors influencing the choice of burial in Australia include cultural and religious traditions, personal preferences, and the availability of burial plots in local cemeteries. Additionally, some individuals may have strong familial or ancestral ties to specific burial sites or traditions.

In conclusion, burial offers a timeless and respectful method of laying the deceased to rest, allowing families to honour their loved one's memory and provide a lasting legacy in a tranquil and sacred setting.

Key Features of RSL Poppy Services:

1. The symbolism of the Poppy: The red poppy holds symbolic significance as a tribute to the fallen soldiers, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" written during World War I. The poppy symbolises remembrance and serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by service personnel.

2. Inclusion in Funeral Services: RSL Poppy services are often included in funeral ceremonies for veterans, providing a solemn and respectful tribute to their military service. Representatives from the RSL or other veteran organisations may conduct these services alongside family members and friends of the deceased.

3. Ceremonial Elements: The RSL Poppy service typically includes ceremonial elements such as laying poppies on the casket or gravesite, reciting prayers or readings, and playing the Last Post and Reveille bugle calls. These rituals pay homage to the fallen and evoke a sense of reverence and gratitude.

4. Military Honors: Depending on their service record and rank, veterans may receive military honours as part of their funeral proceedings in addition to the poppy service. These may include a flag-draped coffin, honour guard, and gun salute, adding a dignified and respectful touch to the funeral service.

5. Community Support: RSL Poppy services often draw participation from the local community, including fellow veterans, serving military personnel, and public members. This collective display of support and solidarity honours the memory of the deceased and demonstrates appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

Overall, RSL Poppy services are vital in honouring veterans' legacy and ensuring their contributions to the nation are remembered and respected. These solemn and dignified ceremonies express gratitude for the selfless service of Australia's armed forces personnel and comfort grieving families. They serve as a powerful expression of empathy, reminding us all of the profound impact of their loss and the importance of our support.