Frequently Asked Questions

A large proportion of enquires to our website comes from those looking for general information about funerals.

In response to this need for honest and clear information, in plain and understandable language, we have created this 'Frequently Asked Questions' page.

Table of Contents:

• So what exactly does a “Funeral Director” do?
• Why are funerals so expensive?
• Who is legally allowed to organize a funeral?
• Can you only conduct funerals in Euroa and Seymour?
• Can we have a funeral on the weekend?
• Are cardboard coffins cheaper?
• What are the most environmentally friendly options?
• Is the coffin cremated with the deceased?
• Do we receive all of the cremated remains?
• Can we 'Shoulder Carry' the coffin?
• Does the deceased need to be embalmed?
• A loved one has passed away and collected by another funeral director, are we obligated to use their services?
• "Pall Bearer" or "Coffin Bearer" what is the difference?
• Is there a choice re: makeup artists/hair stylists?
• Can we take our love one home for a few hours/a day before the funeral?
• Can we get a lock of hair cut off as a keepsake?
• Do only priests/ministers do funerals?
• What happens when the deceased arrives at your facilities?
• What are our disposal options?
• Can we put any special items into the coffin?
• My father wishes to be buried with his two dogs ashes in their urns in his coffin when he passes.  is this allowed?

Is the answer to your question not here? Then please fill in the Form at the bottom of the page and we will post a reply within 24 hours.

• Why are funerals so expensive?

This is by far the most frequently asked question I get asked. Fair enough too. Unfortunately, advertisements about funerals tend to focus on the funeral director's ability to care/celebrate/listen/understand/know what to do. Whilst they all great virtues to have, they should be the expected minimum standard and don’t shed any light on to what we actually ‘do’.

1. On a very practical level I offer is a 24/7 mortuary transfer capability. I am on call every second of the day with a direct telephone line when a funeral director is required upon the death of a person; to transfer them to my facilities. This can be from a Hospital or aged care facility, or a private home and sometimes even a public space. I am ready at all times with little or no warning to immediately come and provide assistance. I have special vehicles and equipment to help me ‘do indelicate things, delicately’, and repatriate the deceased to my facilities. This is a big commitment as you can imagine, requiring a mobile phone on me at all times and definitely requires I be in a location and state of mind where I can drop everything and go into action, be it grand final afternoon or Christmas day, or just Sunday morning at 3am.
2. From here the next step is to contact the next of kin of the deceased at the earliest practical time and organise the funeral arrangements that their family/friends desire. This is far more complicated than just picking a day and a time for the service and includes but isn’t limited to;

- the Type of service: Civil, Religious, Church/Chapel, Graveside, Memorial, Mass/Prayers or Eucharist etc.
- Selection from a range of different, vastly capable and professional funeral celebrants and clergy.
- Burial or cremation: Organize burial or cremation.
- An open coffin Viewing of the deceased, or a closed coffin time to share a private moment can also be easily arranged.
- Newspaper Notices: Place Family and Funeral notices into newspaper/s of your choosing.
- Selection of a Coffin or Casket, including specialty coffins.
- Flowers: including a casket floral and any additional or graveside flowers.
- Music: An organist, recorded music and provide portable PA and music system for church and cemetery.
- Multimedia: provide digital projection equipment and facilitate the creation of a visual presentation.
- Funeral vehicles required (hearse, mourning coach or specialty vehicles).
- Memorial Book for mourners to record their attendance at the service and condolences.
- Order of Service Booklets
- Organization of Special Service(s): RSL, Masonic, CFA, Police Association, SES etc.
- Special requests: a bagpiper, balloons, doves, butterflies, etc.
- Facilitation of Refreshments, venue and/or caterers.
- Audio/Visual Recording of Funeral Service
- Repatriation of the deceased to/from interstate or overseas.
- Registration with Centrelink and Department of Veterans' Affairs.
- Recording of personal details with Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages Register and application for the Death Certificate.

The key to this process is to use my experience to shape and guide decision making in the right way; to ensure that the service is as smooth and successful as it can be. Sometimes that means saying 'no' to certain ideas (in the right way) and/or adapting ideas into practical and possible things that will add to and not subtract from the service.
We then set about contacting, organising, facilitating and paying (on the family's behalf) for the arrangements and making sure everything comes together as it should. I guess the modern word for this part of my job is ‘event planning/management’ and this is the big area in which the range and amount and standard of our offerings has grown in the last decade.

3. Yes, I also do all of the ‘mortuary’ side of things. This is a topic that fascinates a lot of people and leads to more specific questions than anything else. No, it’s not like in Movies or on TV and my life isn’t a parody of ‘Six feet under’ or ‘My Girl’. And no, the mortuary is not under/in a room of my house. It is however a special skill to have. Although there isn’t really any formal ‘qualification’ that is required to be a ‘mortician’, I was lucky enough to have my father, uncle and grandfather teach me the necessary skills that they had mastered over each of their 30+ year careers. Whilst we do not embalm in our business (embalming is not legally required in almost all cases, is very invasive {in my opinion}, the results that can be had by embalming can be comparably attained without having to resort to it {again in most cases} and embalming was devised in the time before modern refrigeration) but that is only a tiny part of the work that is performed in a mortuary. It really would be unseemly to discuss the ins and outs of these processes (although yes I do the hair and the makeup {the most common question I’m asked}). The end results are of course that the deceased is dressed and presented in the desired manner and laid to rest in a coffin for a viewing and/or funeral service.

4. Actually undertaking (hence the name ‘undertaker’) the funeral arrangements. Funerals are not all held at the same venue, so the sheer amount of equipment needed to make sure the funeral goes smoothly would surprise most people. From signs to reserve parking and seating for the family, multiple stands for the memorial registers, PA equipment that can broadcast not only those speaking but also the musical items and photographic presentations both inside and outside of the venue and is capable of supporting services of over 500 people, and to all of the equipment and amenities at the cemetery including marquees, chairs, water, the machines used to lower the coffin into the grave and all of the artificial grass matting used to present a pleasant graveside. Not to mention the hearse and the staff on the day to ensure the family and all of the mourners are able to fully experience the funeral in a pleasant way. We are often at the service venues many hours before the service is to begin, setting up equipment and making sure everything is just ‘so’.

5. Of course, as with every other small business (I, Broderick Floyd am the only full-time employee), I also have to do the things that every small business has to do. Including: being my own secretary, receptionist, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, book keeper, human resources, advertising, webmaster, maintenance and inventory manager etc. This ensures that even when I’m not actively conducting a funeral that I still have plenty of work to do. It is good to be able to perform every aspect of one’s business and know intricately how each part works. There’s also something to be said for personalised service and attention to detail. It’s also great being my own boss despite the weight of responsibility, it is massively outweighed by being able to change, innovate and improve what I do without being beholden to an outside owner or a boss.

At larger organisations, instead of one person doing all of these jobs, there could be as many as 10 people or more employed to do all of the same tasks, which I think makes what we do as a small, independent, family business pretty special.

• Why are funerals so expensive?

The cost of funerals has grown significantly in the last decade. The reasons for this are 3 fold.

1. The high level of service and facilities provided to our clients. We provide a 24 hour, 7 days a week on-call service, including public holidays, Christmas and Easter. This means our staff are available and contactable when you need them, we do not rely on agents or contractors to perform our duties after hours. The costs involved to provide these services, without any government assistance or subsidies which are common with other on-call services in the community are substantial. We also offer highly specialised facilities such as our chapel and office which are stocked with the very best resources and equipment. Specialty vehicles such as our hearses, and many pieces of equipment such as public address systems, Marquees and outdoor chairs, umbrellas, tables and latest OH&S compliant cemetery equipment that help to make the funeral experience as smooth and trouble-free for our clients as possible. Purchasing and maintaining these very specific single-use facilities and equipment is our privilege, and taken as a whole provide our clients with the best possible outcomes, but the do come at a significant costs, that we endeavor to keep as affordable a possible, but also continue to stay viable as we have for nearly 35 years.
2. Cemeteries and crematoriums in Victoria ran by public trusts, and in order to be sustainable must charge fees that ensure the long term viability and upkeep of their facilities. The days of volunteer labor maintaining graves and grounds are over, and public liability insurance and OH&S have greatly added to the cost of running a cemetery. The cemetery needs to provide for upkeep of the cemetery and the grave that you purchase in perpetuity. Regulations now pin cost increases with CPI and most cemeteries increase cost at around 5% per year. Supply and demand are also a factor with major metropolitan cemeteries costing around $3500 upwards for a new lawn grave. Rural Cemeteries vary more, but many are around $2000-4000.
3. Funeral services have become far more elaborate. 20 years ago, Audio/Visual systems, recordings, professional catering, printing etc. were not part of a regular funeral service. As all of these elements have become normal the cost associated with providing them has grown. Press notices are customary and cost over $12 per line in the major daily newspapers, Casket Florals are made by florists instead of family members, churches no longer provide free clergy and facilities or free catering,  and the costs involved in providing speakers and audio/visual systems, orders of service, marquees, vehicles, extra seating, other amenities and adequate staff all contribute to a more personalized and comfortable service, but at greater outlay on your behalf.
4. The cost of money. 30 years ago when this company was founded, the percentage of cost of the Funeral Directors fees compared to Third Party Disbursements was around 80% to 20%, now it is closer to 50/50. Combined with the average cost of a funeral climbing from a little over $1000 to closer to $7000, the amount of money spent to finance a funeral service on your behalf is extremely large. We are required in nearly all cases to pay these disbursements up-front or within 7 days, yet you may not be able to pay for the funeral for several weeks or months. For this reason, many Funeral Homes now require payment of all disbursements or even the full funeral before the funeral, however we do not as for many this would be impossible. The cost of being able to finance thousands of dollars on your behalf is incorporated into our Funeral Service fee.

It is important to remember that while funerals may be expensive, you do only have one opportunity to lay your loved one to rest in a manner that give you closure. Selecting a funeral director solely on price without considering the level of service you will be provided is fraught with danger.

• Who is legally allowed to organize a funeral?

The person/s with the authority to organize a funeral are the Executor/s of the will of the deceased. Should there be no will, the Senior next-of-kin is responsible.

If there are multiple executors, they can allow one person to make decisions and sign documents on behalf off all of them, it is not required that all executors sign and authorize every decision if there is consensus.

However, if there is conflict between executors or trouble ascertaining who is the senior next of kin, we recommend seeking legal advice.

• Can you only conduct funerals in Euroa and Seymour?

No, we can conduct Funeral Services anywhere it is practical to do so. We regularly perform funerals as far Melbourne, Echuca, Gippsland and Albury. Modern telecommunications and the internet allow us to organize most things remotely if required and there are no restrictions on where we can do funerals.

Despite the extra mileage costs incurred, Mark J. Floyd Funeral Services are usually far more cost effective than other funeral directors and provide a higher level of service.

• Can we have a funeral on the weekend?

Of course, there is no problem arranging a Funeral at any time you wish to have one, provided all of the elements required are available. Sometimes it can be a challenge to coordinate the big essential elements (service venue, celebrant, cemetery and catering) on weekends, after hours and on public holidays, but it is possible. There will however be greater costs involved and these services may charge you 1.5-2 times as much as normal. Dependent on the circumstances we may have to recover these greater costs in our fees too in providing staff and facilities out of hours.

• Are cardboard coffins cheaper?

No, it is a common misconception that cardboard coffins will be cheaper than a traditional wooden coffin. The costs involved in re-pulping existing cardboard, and processing it in a way that it is strong enough and suitable to manufacture a coffin are greater than traditional coffins. The cost to the funeral director for Australian manufactured Cardboard Coffins are greater than a traditional wooden coffin.

Environmentally cardboard coffins may not be as Eco-friendly as they seem. The energy inputs to recycle the cardboard, the chemicals and glues used to create a strong, safe and aesthetically pleasing material are a hidden environmental impact that many don't consider. 

Many funeral directors now source their coffins from China, Thailand, the Philippines and Eastern Europe. These coffins are inferior quality and are made from non-renewable timber/cardboard with toxic chemicals, glues and paint in sweatshop-like factories. These coffins are significantly cheaper because of the lack of any environmental, workplace safety or ethical standards. Therefore, beware of any funeral director advertising 'deluxe/handmade/hardwood/oak/sustainable' coffins for less than $1000 dollars as it will likely be imported.

The coffins used by Mark J. Floyd Funeral Services all come from renewable Australian plantation timber, manufactured in Australia to our environmental and safety standards this is reflected in the cost.

• What are the most environmentally friendly options?

Terms like 'Environmentally Friendly' are relative, subjective and also unregulated. Many claims are made with very little scrutiny in regards to the environmental impacts. Burial is less carbon intense than cremation, and by reducing or excluding printing, travel distances and newspaper notices the carbon footprint of your funeral can be minimized. There are other ways to further reduce the environmental impact of a funeral service and we specialize in helping you to create a funeral service that reflects your values.

For those who are environmentally conscious, the best option is the Eco-Coffin that we provide. It is constructed from unbleached Australian plantation pine, contains no glue, makes use of dowel instead of metal fixing, is sealed with beeswax and is lined with hessian drapery. However, the cost of producing such an environmentally conscious product in Australia by Australians is reflected in it's cost. Sadly, environmentally friendly options always seems to costs more, (much as hybrid vehicles are more expensive than non-hybrid ones) and the eco-coffin is more expensive than traditional coffins.

Equating environmentally friendly with economical is a common misconception and rarely the case, for if it were it would be the default and not the exception and this is true of every industry. Any funeral director who advertises on this premise is either misrepresenting the true cost to your pocket and/or the true cost to the environment.

• Is the coffin cremated with the deceased?

Yes, we are often asked this (and variations of this question) and so I will take this opportunity to clarify the common misconceptions. The coffin is cremated in it's entirety with the deceased. Nothing is removed from the deceased (jewelry, metal/ceramic joints) for cremation (except if the deceased has a pacemaker as it will explode and damage the cremator). Nothing is removed also from the coffin except for the name plate which is legally required to follow and identify the remains in a chain of custody throughout the process.

It is a common myth that the deceased is removed from the coffin or the handles and trimmings are removed and reused, this is simply not true.

• Do we receive all of the cremated remains?

Yes, in Victoria you will receive 100% of the reclaimable cremated remains of the deceased. The ashes are processed after cremation and any metallic remnants is removed and buried within cemetery grounds.

A common myth is that the ashes you receive are a mixture of all of the cremated remains from that day at the crematorium, or that you will only receive a portion of the ashes and the rest are discarded, this is completely false.

Often folk are surprised at the weight (or lack of weight) of the ashes they receive. It is important to remember that the human body is over 50% water, and bone density (especially among women) is also a large factor. As a result the vast majority of the ashes is the remains of the coffin.

• Can we 'Shoulder Carry' the coffin?

As a general rule no. Shoulder carrying a coffin is extremely risky and the practice has been largely banned by many churches and funeral companies. For shoulder carrying to be successful, all coffin bearers should be within 1-2 inches of height to ensure that the load is distributed evenly. The highest risk comes from raising or lowering the coffin to/from the shoulder and passing through doorways and there have been multiple cases of injury and litigation as well as cases of the coffin being dropped. As many people only carry a coffin a handful of times in their life, the industry has moved to a safer method of carrying.

Shoulder Carrying is a relic of a time when coffins were not routinely constructed with handles and the the coffin itself was not strong enough to withstand being carried anywhere but underneath. The advances in strong construction and solid handles has enabled us to carry the coffin in a far safer way.

There are cases where shoulder carrying may be permissible, however we insist on conducting a comprehensive briefing and trial run in the days before to ensure this is undertaken safely.

At Mark J. Floyd Funerals we 'handle carry' the coffin which allows folk of all shapes and sizes to participate in carrying the coffin. It is far less physically demanding and allows men and women of all ages as long as physically able and appropriately attired to participate.

• Does the deceased need to be embalmed?

It the vast majority of cases embalming is not required. Modern refrigeration facilities have almost completely replaced embalming as the method for safely keeping the deceased from the time of death until the funeral. The vast majority of funeral directors now refrigerate instead of embalm where possible as it is far less physically obtrusive to the deceased and eliminates the toxic chemicals used in embalming.

Embalming is usually only required if the deceased is to be kept for a longer period (over 2 weeks) before the funeral is to occur (especially if a viewing is required), the coffin is to be placed in a mausoleum or crypt, or if the deceased's remains will be repatriated interstate or overseas (depending on regulations).

Of course if you actively wish for embalming it can be easily organized, but as it is not now standard practice it does add a significant extra cost.

• A loved one has passed away and collected by another funeral director, are we obligated to use their services?

No, you are still free to use whichever funeral director you wish.

It is increasingly common for certain hospitals, aged care facilities and nursing homes automatically contact a particular funeral director to collect the deceased (without the informed consent or notification of the family).

You are not obligated to use that company. It saddens us to hear that under-informed staff members believe this to be so, and when contacted these companies can give the impression that it is very difficult or expensive to engage your preferred funeral director. This is not the case, unless authorized there should also be no cost to the family.

It is not uncommon for families to authorize a company to collect the deceased and decide later that they would like to use another funeral director instead. There is still no obligation and you are in no way locked in  because they have physical custody of the deceased. Until the funeral has been advertised and/or a contract signed it is still possible and practical to change if you wish. They may charge you for the cost of services already provided, but your preferred funeral director will handle this on your behalf.

It is also possible to change funeral directors even when a pre-paid funeral bond has been taken out. By changing the assignment of the bond with a form that your preferred funeral director will arrange if the bond holder is alive. Even after the passing of the bond holder you are still not locked in if you wish to change funeral directors. It is simple for another funeral director to be engaged and the money in the pre-paid bond be recouped to pay for the funeral. More information regarding pre-paid funeral bonds and their transfer is available from our Pre-Paid Fact Sheet.

• "Pall Bearer" or "Coffin Bearer" what is the difference?

Effectively in this day and age they are synonyms for one another and mean exactly the same thing.

The term Pall bearer comes from the middle ages where a large cloth known as a pall was lifted on sticks above the coffin which was carried by the coffin bearers. The pall has evolved from a pagan Roman tradition that shrouding the coffin with a 'Pallium'. The white pall is still used today in the catholic church and has evolved as a symbol of christian baptism and instead of being carried above the coffin is placed directly over as a shroud to demonstrate that rich or poor, everyone is equal before God. 

• Is there a choice re: makeup artists/hair stylists?

A viewing can be a very important part of saying goodbye to a loved one, and is something that we take a lot of effort to ensure the most pleasant outcome. Sadly, there is not specialist make up artists/hair stylists to select from as mortuary science is quite specialized and very different from traditional beauty care.

Different cultures and religions, and also generational groups have unique grooming styles and traditions, so our standard practice is to present the deceased in a very natural and peaceful manner unless instructed otherwise.

If you wish for hair or make up to be done in a particular way this can easily be done. For specific styles we request if possible that you provide us with a photograph (with the relevant hair style/makeup) and/or the products (hair rollers, makeup etc.) that will assist us in creating the desired outcome. It is also possible for family members to apply the final hair and make up touches at the viewing if they prefer.

It is important to understand that despite the hours of precautionary work that goes in to presenting your loved one for viewing, they will not look the same as they once did. The changes that occur at death alter the color and fullness of ones appearance, however we put a lot of effort into presenting your loved one in a familiar and comforting way.

• Can we take our love one home for a few hours/a day before the funeral?

Depending on the specific circumstances, this should in the majority of cases be possible. 24 hours would not be possible without embalming, but for a period of a few hours with an open coffin (longer with a closed coffin) in a home environment is something that can be easily arranged and allows family a special, private and intimate goodbye.

• Can we get a lock of hair cut off as a keepsake?

Yes, it would be our privilege to trim a locket of hair for you as a keepsake if you request.

• Do only priests/ministers do funerals?

No, you are quite welcome to choose from our selection of qualified and accredited funeral celebrants. Those who are not members of any religious faith, or do not wish for a religious funeral are welcome to have a civil service at our chapels, a graveside or any private chapel/facility you desire.

Funeral celebrants can incorporate any (specific or broad) religious themes you may like or none at all, the content of the service is completely up to you. A celebrant gives you the ability to focus solely on the deceased without religious rites and liturgy, and gives you far greater freedom with music and content than what is possible in most faiths.

Mark J. Floyd Funeral Services only use accredited, professional celebrants. We do not use a 'staff celebrant', cut/pasting names from one service to another (see our Ethics page for more information). This ensures an individualized and personal service delivered by a professional and not an employee of the funeral director looking to minimize their outgoing costs.

You are not only limited to our selection of recommended celebrants, if you prefer another celebrant or even someone who is not a celebrant, this is not a problem. We often have from time to time a family member, friend or colleague act as a master of ceremonies at a funeral service.

• What happens when the deceased arrives at your facilities?

When entrusted with the care of your loved one we repatriate them to our refrigerated mortuary facilities until such time as we are given instructions as to the clothing and coffin desired and then make preparations for the funeral.

• What are our disposal options?

In Australia there are two options, burial and cremation. In Victoria, all crematoriums are publicly owned by trusts and all but a handful of cemeteries are also in public hands (there are a few private catholic cemeteries). It is possible (but very hard) to have a burial on your own private land, but the legislative requirements are very difficult.

• Can we put any special items into the coffin?

Yes, we often put photos, hats, rosary beads, letters, cards, paintings, toys and even golf clubs and fishing rods into the coffin. For a burial, we are only limited by what will safely fit into the coffin, however with cremation we have to be mindful of items that may damage the cremator.

For other items, whether the service is a burial or a cremation, as long as the item/s fits they are permitted, although common sense around pollution/safety/legality still apply. 

The only time extra paperwork is required is if the ashes of another person are to be buried inside the coffin. The cemetery records this and may charge an extra fee for doing so but this will allow for the official records and plaque to reflect who’s remains are interred in that grave.

• My father wishes to be buried with his two dogs ashes in their urns in his coffin when he passes.  is this allowed?

It is not an issue at all to put pet ashes inside a coffin that is to be buried. It requires no special forms or permission (in Victoria). As long as they physically fit inside (which they will) it isn’t a problem at all and is something we have done many times.

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