When planning a funeral, many people want to place personal items and keepsakes into their loved one’s casket. However, it’s important to know that certain items are not permitted due to safety, environmental, and regulatory reasons. Knowing what can and cannot be included will help you honour your loved one appropriately while meeting all necessary guidelines.

Heritage Brothers Funeral Services Gold Coast funeral directors are here to guide you through every step of the funeral planning process – here’s some tips on what you can’t put into a casket:

Hazardous materials

You’re not able to put any kind of hazardous materials into your loved one’s casket.  This includes any items that are flammable, explosive or dangerous. For example: 

• Aerosol cans.
• Lighters or matches.
• Batteries.

Electronic devices

We don’t encourage people to place any kind of electronic device into the casket as it poses both an environmental risk and can be hazardous. We don’t recommend mobile phones, tablets or laptops to be put into the casket. 

Food and beverages

While it might seem like a great idea to put your loved one’s favourite food or beverages in the casket, it’s generally not allowed. It’s best to avoid placing any alcohol or perishable foods that attract pests into the casket. 

Non-biodegradable items

To avoid a negative environmental impact, non-biodegradable items shouldn’t be put into the casket. Items that don’t break down naturally can cause long-term environmental damage. You can’t place any plastics or synthetic materials into the casket. 

Valuables 

While it’s not illegal, we strongly advise families not to place any valuable items into the casket. This includes expensive jewellery, cash or coins. 

Planning a Gold Coast funeral

If you’re not sure if you can put an item into your loved one’s casket, we recommend having a chat with your Gold Coast funeral director. Each cemetery and crematorium has specific regulations and rules to abide by to create a respectful and safe burial process. Your funeral director can give you guidance and advice on what is appropriate and permissible. 

At Heritage Brothers Funeral Services, we understand the importance of honouring your loved one with personal and meaningful items. We are here to assist you in making informed decisions that comply with regulations and reflect your wishes. For further help or any questions regarding funeral planning, please contact us. We are here to support you every step of the way.