When Someone Dies - K.M.Smith Funeral Directors

Burial or Cremation?

Whether it is simply a matter of personal preferences or due to cultural or religious reasons, the choice between burial or cremation is a very personal one. Both options are, in our experience, still very open to each families individual preference for what they feel is the most fitting way be it burial or cremation.

Choosing a Venue

Choosing a venue at which to hold a funeral service, particularly one where you will not be rushed, is one of the biggest decisions that you will need to make during the arrangements. Some venues offer simple services with the provision of seating and shelter only, while others offer full audio-visual systems, including streaming facilities, as well as catering and staff. Our Kate Mary Chapel is an elegant, spacious and centrally located venue, with on site parking and an adjacent refreshment lounge.

Coffin or Casket?

The terms “coffin” and “casket” are often used interchangeably, however a coffin and a casket are not the same thing. While both a casket and a coffin serve the same general purpose, the difference between the two is found in the design, where a coffin tapers toward the feet and head whilst being wider at the shoulders; a casket is a rectangular shape and has a hinged lid. At K.M. Smith our range of coffins & caskets has always been sourced from a local Queensland company.

Writing a Eulogy

Funerals serve to gather family and friends to celebrate a person’s life, and while a eulogy is often seen as one of, if not the most important part of the service, they can be intimidating to write. The most important thing to remember when writing a eulogy is that you should always be honest and authentic about the person and the qualities that they brought to life. You can approach the eulogy in a purely chronological way, that is a recounting of the life of the person from birth to death. However, many people prefer to deliver a characterisation of the person, or an overall picture using anecdotes or stories about fond moments. It is also best to check how much time you have to give a eulogy before you start writing.

Important Resources

There are many documents and forms that are important sources of information. Here is a brief list of some paperwork that you should keep in a safe location for family members to access when it comes time to arrange your funeral and finalise your affairs:
Marriage Certificates; Your Will; Taxation Records; Lease Agreements and Property Deeds; Insurance Policies; Life Insurance / Superannuation Policies; Documents Relating to Assets; Details of Bank Accounts / Financial Investments; Passwords to your digital devices and online accounts

Telling Others About the Funeral

You may want to put an announcement online or in a local or national newspaper to advise people about the death and provide details of the funeral service. We can assist you with drafting a death or funeral notice and will liaise with the newspaper company on your behalf. Our online Tribute Centre also includes the ability for you to share the details of the funeral service across all popular social media networks so that you can easily send the most important information to your friends and family.

On the Day

With all the preparations and considerations that go in to planning a funeral, many people find that having the space of a week to arrange the funeral allows them to arrive at the day of the service settled and prepared instead of exhausted and overwhelmed. On the day our expert staff are on hand to guide you through.

Choosing an Officiant

For those who follow a faith, it may be appropriate to have a clergy officiate, whilst others may be more comfortable with a celebrant, either female or male. Both celebrants and clergy often perform several duties as part of their care including:
Meeting with your family
Acting as master of ceremonies
Offering words of encouragement or eulogy

Catering & Gathering After The Service

For many people the time spent together sharing some light refreshments straight after the funeral can be most beneficial. Joining together in an environment of support and love allows us to gather ourselves after an emotional farewell.

Grief and Loss Services

Listed below for your reference are a number of organisations who may be able to provide you and your family with counselling
in regards to the loss of a loved one.

It is important to note that although we fully support these providers, we are not affiliated with any grief and loss service.
K.M.Smith is providing this list for your assistance.