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9 things to know when planning a funeral

9 things to know when planning a funeral

Are you needing to plan a funeral, but don’t know where to start? It’s an extremely difficult time, and we understand how hard it can be to make decisions when you’re grieving. 

“Most people aren’t prepared for what’s involved in planning a funeral, and that’s okay. You’re not expected to have all the answers.”

Ashley Heritage, Funeral Director & Owner

From choosing the type of service to understanding costs and adding personal touches you can add, here are some tips to help make the process a little less overwhelming.

Find a trusted funeral director

One of the first steps is finding a funeral director. It’s important to have professional support from someone who understands the process, can guide you through your options, and take care of the details, so you don’t have to carry it all on your shoulders. 

Look for someone who is compassionate and transparent about costs, and willing to listen to your wishes. A good funeral director will help make a difficult time a little bit easier.

At Heritage Brothers Funeral Services, we have years of experience helping families through this time and know how important it is to feel supported and understood. We explain your options, answer your questions, and make sure every detail reflects your loved one’s life and your family’s wishes.

What kind of farewell do you want to create?

There are several different ways to say goodbye, and you need to find the right type of farewell for your loved one. At Heritage Brothers Funeral Services, we offer: 

  • Traditional burial – with a church or chapel service
  • A cremation followed by a service or ceremony.
  • A direct cremation – a simple, no-service option. 
  • Memorial only – a personalised gathering to celebrate a loved one’s life.

How to personalise the farewell

We always encourage families to add unique and personal touches that reflect the person’s life and values. This could be anything from their favourite music, flowers, or colours, to a slideshow of memories, a special reading, or a meaningful location for the service. 

There’s no right or wrong way to say goodbye, what matters most is creating a moment that feels true to them.

Know the costs upfront

When dealing with the financial side of funerals, it’s always important to know the costs upfront. We recommend asking for itemised quotes and ensuring you discuss your budget with your Gold Coast funeral director so you’re on the same page and there’s no surprises. 

Explore livestreaming options

If you have family or friends who are unable to attend the funeral, livestreaming is an option with Heritage Brothers Funeral Services. Livestreaming can be accessed from anywhere in the world, and we offer built-in streaming at our Chinderah Chapels. Prices start at $110.00 for funeral streaming.

Choosing the venue

Different settings can influence the tone of your loved one’s funeral service. Here’s what we offer at Heritage Brothers Funeral Services in QLD and NSW:

Heritage Brothers Funeral Services serves the Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, and Northern Rivers communities with three beautiful funeral homes.

Our Burleigh Heads Funeral Home offers compassionate, 24/7 care with experienced directors catering to all religious and non-denominational services. It features modern sound, visual, and livestreaming capabilities, with flexible arrangements including at-home consultations.

At Tweed Heads, our contemporary chapel provides an intimate, bright space for personalised services, with modern technology and complimentary service recordings. 

Our Chinderah Funeral Home sits on 5.5 hectares of beautiful memorial gardens and offers two chapels, a large 120-seat chapel and a more intimate 40-seat chapel, both fully equipped with sound, visual, and livestreaming facilities. The site includes a licensed café for catering and wakes, private meeting rooms, and a variety of memorialisation options to suit every family’s needs.

Think about the timing and flow

All funerals are different and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. When you’re planning a funeral, you must consider what feels right for your family and guests and what you’d like to include. Think about whether you’d like a viewing beforehand, multiple guests sharing their words or a separate reception afterwards. 

Will you include keepsakes?

Sometimes, giving guests something tangible and meaningful to take home can offer lasting comfort. This might be memorial cards with photos and favourite quotes, candles, seed packets to plant in memory, or small personalised mementos to give attendees a way to hold onto the connection.

Think about floral tributes

We offer a range of floral tributes to suit different styles and budgets, with casket sprays starting from $350. For Gold Coast services, we work closely with Indigo & Jade, and with Coolangatta Florist for Tweed Heads and Northern Rivers. Have something specific in mind? You’re also welcome to choose a florist that’s meaningful to your family.

Planning a funeral with Heritage Brothers Funeral Services

You’re not alone during one of life’s most difficult moments. We’re here to support you with honesty and compassionate care. Whether you’re planning ahead or need immediate support, our team is ready to guide you through the process. 

Reach out to Heritage Brothers Funeral Services today, and let us help you create an incredible farewell that honours your loved one.