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Who should I notify? Who should I notify?
When is the Death Certificate issued? What is Probate? Is money "frozen" after someone dies? Why does a funeral cost so much? Other items such as newspaper notices, extra flowers, refreshments, orders of service, thank you and condolence cards, are all extras that are usually paid for upfront by the funeral company on behalf of the family. These items alone can add many hundred to several thousands of dollars. Who can I contact to help me through this? Our staff are trained to recognise and support those in need. Bereavement Care is provided free of charge to all family members including children and friends, who choose Tuckers for their funeral or memorial service. Bereavement Care staff are available to talk to community groups, seniors groups, schools and care facilities. Should children attend a funeral? As parents are the best judge of the character of their children, they are usually aware if a child is likely to be 'too sensitive' to attend or is likely to become hysterical. If this is the case it may be best for the child to attend only a part of the funeral service. On the day of the funeral it is important to have someone with the child to give support and answer questions the child may ask. Attending the funeral provides an opportunity for parents and children to share their grief. Whilst seeing each other upset can be difficult, sharing their grief helps them learn about each other's feelings and can enable them to comfort each other. What is the difference between a coffin and a casket? Today, coffins and caskets are made of either particle board (chipboard), timber (including pine, oak, cedar and mahogany), metal (these are imported from the USA) and very recently the outside of some is made of velvet. The lining is made from materials ranging from understated calico to hand ruched satin. Does organ donation affect my funeral arrangements? Organ donors are people who genuinely care about the human race. By donating kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas - even corneas and bone tissue, donors can save or extend the life of someone they don't even know. Organ donation, which is possible only in a major hospital, requires the informed consent of the next of kin. In some cases, people are provided with a donor card to indicate their wishes once they die. Of course, the timing of organ retrieval is crucial. For example, heart valves and bones must be retrieved within 24 hours of death, and a cornea must be retrieved within approximately 8 hours. What is a reportable death?
The State Coroner's Office must be notified of every Reportable Death in the State, and they will usually handle all cases in the metropolitan area. Those cases which occur outside metropolitan Melbourne are handled by the local coroner. What happens at the Coroner's? The Coroner then attempts to determine the cause of death, and studies the deceased for any signs of injury or abuse, and usually conducts an autopsy (post mortem). Depending on the outcome, finger prints may be taken and a blood test is made. The presence of bruising, skin puncture marks, poison or narcotics in the body, and the location of wounds can provide vital clues to the cause of death. These signs will help determine if the death was accidental or intended. Is the coffin cremated? A modern cremator operates at temperatures between 800°C and 1000°C. At such temperatures, any precious or other metals are fused with other materials so that they are unrecognisable and have no salvage value. If any metallic material remains after the cremation process, it is removed from the cremated remains and disposed of - usually by burial in the crematorium grounds. A coffin cannot be opened once it enters the grounds of the crematorium. Thus, if you are unsure whether or not to leave items of jewellery or other personal belongings with the deceased it may be best to remove them prior to the coffin going to the crematorium. The first is technical - a funeral makes sure that a body is legally buried or cremated. The second reason is that a funeral helps the family come to terms with the death; it is really the first step toward working through grief. In fact, it has been proven that a funeral has significant therapeutic value, giving an avenue to express grief and provide support. It's important to remember that a funeral is not for the dead, it is for the living. It is a chance for family and friends to collectively express their love and respect, and to extend support to members of the family. It is a chance to formally acknowledge a loss. Who can take part in a funeral ceremony? Usually, a funeral ceremony is led by a member of the clergy or a civil celebrant. If the service is led by a person of religion, the service will focus on the beliefs and faith that are part of that religion. It may include readings from the Bible or other religious books, prayers, and the funeral rites of that particular faith, plus a reflection on the deceased's life. Civil celebrants individually prepare the funeral ceremony with a eulogy on the life of the person who has died and will incorporate appropriate poetry or other readings. It is possible and quite normal to involve other people in the funeral ceremony. For example, a member of the family or a friend may wish to contribute to the service by making a personal tribute. Sometimes other relevant organisations, such as the RSL or Masonic Lodge, may be included in the funeral ceremony. What is a pre-paid funeral? You can find out more about Pre-Paid funerals in the Pre-Planning a Funeral part of the web site.
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