Funeral Service Choices

Why have a funeral?

Funerals are for the living. It is time spent with others to remember and celebrate the life of the person who has died.

Everyone who has been touched by the life of the person needs the opportunity to share in that celebration. They need the chance to say goodbye.

While enabling us to say goodbye, funerals also fulfil other important needs. Funerals celebrate the life of the deceased, provide an opportunity for family and friends to share memories and allow loved ones to support each other in their grief.

This sharing of memories often extends beyond the funeral and into the time spent together over a “cuppa” or a drink at the wake.

Personalised funerals

A “personalised funeral” is a service that touches everyone present, celebrates the life of the deceased, and what they lived for. The funeral brings meaning to people by allowing them to feel how that person touched their lives.

Where to hold a funeral service?

If a person is a church member, the service is usually held in their local church.

Our Chapel

Our chapel provides the opportunity to conduct a personal service. We also have the use of the chapel within the Uniting Church next door to our chapel. Estimating the numbers of people attending often dictates what size chapel is best to use.

Refreshments can also be provided to family and guests following services when the facilities are available.

Geelong Memorial Park and Crematorium also has a chapel that is available for funeral services.

Funeral services can also be held in the family home or any other setting that has significance for the deceased person and their family. Perhaps the beach, a park or botanical garden has special significance for your family.

Mortuary care

From the time the deceased comes into our care, they are treated with respect and dignity. Our staff are trained to conduct the transfer of the deceased in accordance with our professional standards.

These standards are maintained throughout the preparation process, which is carried out as if the family were present at the time.

Our mortuary staff will dress a loved one in clothing provided by the family or alternatively in night attire.

Should the family request, embalming will be carried out by qualified staff.

Cremation

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In Australia, cremation is now a more widely accepted alternative to burial. In Geelong, 55.5% of people chose cremation in 2006.

Geelong Memorial Park and Crematorium is a public Cemetery and Crematorium administered by the Geelong Cemeteries Trust. The Trust is a member of the Cemeteries and Crematorium Assoc. of Victoria. Please see www.gct.net.au for more information on the Cemeteries administered by the Geelong Cemeteries Trust.

There are many memorialisation options for cremated remains. All cemetery and crematorium facilities have a selection of memorial options.

Burial

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In Geelong 44.5% of people chose burial in 2006.

Geelong Cemeteries Trust administers the following local cemeteries.

Geelong Eastern Cemetery, Ormond Road, Geelong East
Geelong Western Public Cemetery - Minerva Road, Geelong West
Grovedale (Germantown) Cemetery - Church Street, Grovedale
Mount Duneed Cemetery - Williams Road, Mount Duneed
Geelong Memorial Park and Crematorium - Burvilles Road, Mount Duneed
Leopold (Kensington) Cemetery - Kensington Road, Leopold
Drysdale (Bellarine) Cemetery - Oakden Road, Drysdale
Portarlington Cemetery - Smythe Street, Portarlington
Flinders Memorial Park - Forest Road, Lara
Highton (Barrabool Hills) Cemetery - Barrabool Road, Highton

Viewing of the deceased

Some families find it helpful to spend time with their loved one before the funeral.

This is called a viewing. A viewing can be an important part of the grieving process and can be a time to place mementos such as flowers, teddy bears, photos or other special items in the coffin.

Viewing a loved one can be a positive experience as it allows time to say goodbye in an unhurried and quiet atmosphere.

Music

Music is very important to us all and a favourite piece of music can further personalise a funeral service. Music can be played from Cd’s, Ipods, portable players or a computer. Music can also be provided by musicians.

Choirs, singers and soloists can also be arranged for a funeral service.

Minister or Celebrant?

If you are a church member, you may like your minister to conduct the funeral service. You may wish to inform your minister that the death has occurred. The staff at Jonathan Hepner Funerals will contact your minister to confirm the day, time and other matters relating to the funeral.

Civil Celebrants, both male and female are also available to conduct funeral services. There are a number of them available in our region. Please talk to our staff to discuss who may suit your needs.

You may wish to look at the Federation of Civil Celebrants website.

Caskets and Coffins

Jonathan Hepner Funerals provide a wide range of coffins and caskets ranging from solid timber coffins, craftwood coffins with timber and paper veneer, solid timber and protective metal caskets.

Coffins and caskets can be chosen from our photo album or by visiting our selection room. Oversize coffins and caskets are available in most of our range. (Additional charges apply for oversize coffins and caskets)