Frequently Asked Questions

• #1: How Much Does a Funeral Cost?

  There is no set cost for all funerals. Every funeral has its own setup, burial options and ceremony style. Your funeral will have a different cost than any other we have done, and we can help show you all the costs involved.

• #2: Does the Funeral Planner Consider the Family’s Needs?

  Our funeral planners do everything they are asked by the family. We feel free to make suggestions if we believe that there is a more efficient or dignified way to do something, but we do not override the family in any way.

• #3: Are Burials More Costly than Cremations?

  A burial is more costly than a cremation in the majority of cases. A cremation is a quick and simple process that usually leads to a ceremony here in our chapel. A burial usually happens off the property, and there are extra expenditures that are incurred. We can help explain all expenses before the ceremony.

• #4: Should I Plan the Funeral Quickly or Slowly?

  You typically need a few days to get everything in order so that family members and friends can attend the funeral. There is often international travel involved, and people need to clear their schedules so that they can make it to the funeral. There are some instances where you may feel a funeral may have to happen quickly, and we can help you determine the best timetable for the funeral you are planning.

• #5: Is There a Difference Between a Coffin and a Casket?

  Australians use the word casket to describe a box that is small and the shape of the body. These simple items are used for certain types of funerals, and we recommend them on occasion. A coffin is a metal box with a folding lid that is often lined in a soft fabric.

• #6: How Do I Explain a Death To a Child?

  You must ensure that you use the proper words with a young child. Children are susceptible to believing anything, and you must tell them that the person is dead or has died. You should not use other terms for fear that you might confuse them in the process. We also have information in the Tobin Brothers brochure 'Children and Death' along with resources on our website.

• #7: Should Young Children Attend Funerals?

  Almost all your children want to be included in family events. They want to go because they believe that they should be there with everyone else. There are times when a child may be reluctant, and you should do your best to assuage their fears. Do not force a child to attend the ceremony, though.

• #8: How Do You Explain Cremation To Children?

  Cremation is hard for children to understand because the body is being burned. Children may find this to be a bit scary, but you can assure them that only the shell of someone who has died is being burned. You can help children to understand that we do not feel anything after we die so that they are not as scared by the process.

• #9: How Long Should Someone Grieve?

  There is no hard and fast rule about grieving. Some people may grieve for a few days, but other people may grieve for months or years. Grieving that lasts a long time should be met with counseling, but it is often wise for all family members of the dearly departed to seek counseling.

• #10: What Do I Do When I Feel Lonely and Sad?

  You can contact the Southeast Funeral Staff at 03 9799 1144 for more information if you are feeling deeply alone and sad. People who are left behind after a death often feel sad, but it is best that they find new activities to keep them around other people. Your loved ones would want you to keep living.

• #11: Do Men and Women Express Grief Differently?

  Everyone expresses grief differently, and we should not try to label grief with a gender stereotype. Allow everyone to grieve in his or her own way.

• #12: Why Do People Avoid Talking About the Deceased?

  Some people are uncomfortable because they are still not over the shock of a loss. Other people simply cannot bear to hear the subject without feeling emotional. Remember people in your own way even if others will not talk about it.