Simple Cremations and Affordable Funeral Services, FAQ

What is a direct cremation?

A direct cremation is a type of funeral in which no traditional service takes place. The deceased is transferred into the care of our mortuary, who places them in a coffin, and the deceased is then cremated after we have organised and received all the necessary paperwork from the family and the medical practitioners.

Do you have to have a funeral?

You don’t have to have a funeral. Our Cremation Only is well suited to those that don’t want a funeral. Instead, the deceased is taken into our care, cremated, then their ashes returned to their family. This is a budget and simple cremation that takes place without a funeral service.

Where is the funeral service held?

The funeral service can be held at one of 11 locations offered with our Cremation + Funeral Service option, and all are available at the same price. With seven locations in Sydney, three in the Illawarra, and one in the Shoalhaven, there are plenty of options that you can choose from.

Once you indicate to our team where you would like the service to be held, we will make the arrangements for you.

How many people can attend the funeral service?

How many people can attend a funeral service will depend on your chosen chapel location. Each location has different seating capacities. Most locations have overflow areas for standing room. Chapel details are available at our locations page.

How long does the funeral service go for?

The funeral service is booked for 45 minutes. Should you wish for more time, please inform our team. An additional fee will be charged for a longer service.

What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial?

The key difference between a funeral and a memorial is timing. A funeral is held before the deceased has been cremated, with the coffin in the funeral service location. A memorial is held after cremation has taken place, often with the ashes at the memorial. Unlike other low-cost providers, Easy Funerals are proud to offer families the choice of either a funeral or memorial service.

Who calls the funeral director?

If your loved one has passed at home, you should call us as soon as you receive the medical cause of death paperwork from the doctor. We will organise the transfer of your loved into our care any time of day or night.

If your loved one has passed in the hospital, the next of kin can contact our team when they are ready, usually the next day. If your loved one passed in a nursing home, you may have been asked by the staff who your preferred funeral director is and the nursing staff will contact us to arrange the transfer.

What happens to my loved one after I call you?

Our team will transfer your loved one into our care and taken be transported to our professional mortuary, where they will be cared for in accordance with your wishes.

Your loved one will be placed into their coffin, and this will not be opened again (unless you have opted for a viewing). From the mortuary, your loved one will be transferred to the crematorium or to the funeral service venue and then to the crematorium.

What paperwork needs to be completed?

You will be required to complete the forms below, and our team is available to assist you as needed.

Information required by the Department of Births Deaths & Marriages. This information is needed in order to issue the official Death Certificate

NSW Department of Health Application for Permission to Cremate

Cremation Booking Form

How do I get the ashes back?

After cremation has taken place, the crematorium will be in touch with you to discuss options for how you would like to receive your loved one’s ashes. In most cases, you will have the option to collect them yourself.

How much does a funeral cost?

The cost of a funeral is influenced by personal preferences such as, where a service is held, choice of flowers and coffin as well as any number of additions.

Funerals can be affordable if you choose simpler options.

Our Cremation Only service is $2,499 and our more traditional Cremation + Funeral Service costs $4,999.

How can I save more on costs?

You can provide some elements of the funeral service yourself. For example, if you act as the celebrant for the funeral service, or if you arrange flowers picked from your own garden, you can save on funeral service costs.

Alternatively, our Cremation Only represents the lowest cost and simplest funeral option.

When do I have to pay for the funeral?

Payment for the funeral will be taken once you agree to the quote provided by our team. This will be before the cremation or the funeral service has taken place. Once you have paid for the cremation only or the cremation + funeral service, our team can finalise the funeral details and arrange for the cremation of your loved one.

Do you recycle or swap out coffins?

No, this is a myth and is highly unethical. Once your loved one is placed into their coffin, they will not leave that coffin.

What happens to jewellery?

We ask that any jewellery is removed from your loved one before they enter into our care. Any jewellery that is left with the deceased will then be cremated with them. Please discuss this concern with us at the time of arranging.

Whose ashes am I really getting?

Processes are in place that mean that your loved one is accounted for at every stage of their journey. This is especially important for cremations, as the process cannot be undone.

What is your service area?

Our service area includes all of Greater Sydney, The Illawarra, and the Shoalhaven. From Berowra to Batemans Bay, we can take your loved one into our care.

Where is your mortuary based?

Our mortuary is based in Wollongong and is staffed by an all-female team of three experts, with over 40 years of experience between them.

Our mortuary is registered with all government agencies, specially equipped, and professionally staffed. Our team takes great pride in the work they do for families. We are proud to employ our team directly – we do not outsource, and we do not use contractors.