We prepare. We do not improvise.
Loss falls the same way on all of us. What changes is what your faith asks of you in the hours and days that follow: how quickly a burial must take place, who may wash and dress the body, which prayers are said, which direction the grave must face, what must never be done.
You should not have to teach your funeral director these things while you are grieving. Before we meet, we confirm the requirements with your clergy, temple, mosque, gurdwara or community elders, then we build the arrangements around them.
Traditions we regularly serve
This is not a full list. If your community is not named here, we will still learn what is required and honour it.
Catholic & Christian
Requiem Mass, funeral liturgy, rosary and vigil evenings, church or chapel services with your own parish priest or minister.
Greek & Eastern Orthodox
Trisagion prayers, open-coffin viewing, church services in language, and the koliva and memorial customs that follow.
Islamic
Burial arranged within required timeframes, family-led or facilitated ghusl and kafan, janazah at your mosque, correct grave orientation.
Hindu
Home or chapel prayers, family participation in preparation, cremation with rites led by your priest, ashes collected for scattering or return to India.
Sikh
Gurdwara arrangements, Kirtan Sohila and Antam Sanskar, family-led bathing and dressing, cremation and Bhog observances.
Buddhist
Chanting and monk-led ceremonies, flexible timing to suit auspicious days, altar and offering arrangements at our rooms or the temple.
Jewish
Prompt burial, shomer and tahara arranged through your chevra kadisha, plain timber coffin, chapel and graveside service with your rabbi.
Secular & non-religious
A celebration of a life with no religious content at all, music, storytelling, photographs and the people who loved them.
Cultural care we are asked for often
- Services conducted partly or wholly in your family's language
- Extended viewing hours for large families and community visits
- Ceremonial dress, jewellery and personal items placed with your loved one
- Incense, candles, offerings, food and music within venue rules
- Burial timing brought forward for faiths that require it
- Notices placed in community newspapers and radio
Repatriation, in and out of Australia
If your loved one wished to be laid to rest in their country of birth, we can arrange it. Embassy and consular documentation, health certification, approved sealed caskets, airline bookings and the receiving funeral home overseas, coordinated end to end.
We can also hold a remembrance service here in Melbourne before they travel, so the family and community in Australia have their chance to say goodbye. Repatriation into Australia is arranged the same way.
Tell us what your faith requires
Ring us, or send a message with your community's customs. We will confirm exactly how we can meet them before you commit to anything.