But it's a very important part of the grieving process.

What happens at a funeral service?

• There is no such thing as a standard funeral. A lot will depend on you and your family’s religious and cultural beliefs.
• Some religions allow families to create their own service while others may have very structured rituals and services

Remember: talking about funerals before someone has died can be very hard but it is often a chance to plan what will happen and it can make things a bit easier down the track.

What happens at a burial?

• First there will be a service. Once the service is finished the funeral will continue at the gravesite.
• The grave will already be dug before you arrive and will not be completely filled until after you leave.
• The coffin is lowered by ropes.
• People at the funeral can choose to place a few shovels of earth into the grave.

What happens at a cremation?

• A cremation is where the body is burnt rather than buried.
• First there will be a service, which could take place in a church or somewhere else. The actual cremation has to take place in a crematorium.
• The coffin is not burnt until after the service is complete and you have left the crematorium.
• Once the cremation has taken place the ashes are placed in an urn and then in a locked room where they can be collected later by the family.

What happens to the ashes?

This depends on the personal wishes of the person who has died, and the family. Sometimes ashes can be buried in a cemetary, kept at home or scattered somewhere that has significance for the family.

See the Grief and Loss section for more information about coping with the death of a loved one.