Frequently asked questions
This section should hopefully go some way to dispelling some of the myths that surround the traditional funeral service.
We are trying to change the traditional funeral industry, by calling for an end to heavy sales tactics and a more open approach to alternative ways of celebrating someone's life. More and more people are opting to celebrate a loved one's life rather than have a very expensive and sorrowful formality, and we are working very hard to make that happen.
We want to see everyone informed of what a basic funeral requires and get rid of this preconception that they must order all the trimmings such as an expensive coffin, a funeral car, and they must be buried at their local cemetery or cremated. There is so much they can decide themselves to create afar more individual funeral, at fraction of the cost. If someone asks us for a Jazz band, reggae music or fireworks we can do it. We create funerals that celebrate life, that reflect the departed's personality and passions and that are a fitting way to give your loved one a special send off.
What are left after the cremation process are ashes.
When people think of "ashes" they envision what you'd find in the fireplace or what's left over after a campfire. However, what remains after the cremation process are bone fragments, like broken seashells. These are pulverized to a small dimension, not unlike aquarium gravel.
Cremated remains must be placed in an urn and interred in a cemetery lot or niche.
There is no reason you can't keep the cremated remains in the cardboard or plastic box that comes from the crematorium. There are no "cremains police" checking on what you do with cremated remains either.
Funeral cars show respect to the dead.
There is no tradition saying you have to hire expensive cars to take you to the funeral. Cars are simply used to transport you, why not take your own?
Prepaid funerals must also incur an inflation cost to cover the time between when they are paid for and when they happen.
Traditional funerals have enough profit to cover the tiny rise in inflation between when they're bought and when they happen. By paying up front you should be rewarded not penalised.
Expensive Coffins are a leaving gift to the deceased.
A coffin is essentially a box that gets burned or goes in the ground. Spending lots of money on these items is unnecessary. You should get whichever coffin you feel is right for you, people will not think any less of you for going for a cheaper option.
A big send off shows respect for the dead.
There is no need to spend lots of money on a big funeral if you can't afford it. Talk over how much you should spend on your funeral before you die, then your family won't feel pressured into spending a lot.
Talking about dying is morbid.
In our society talking about dying is uncouth and seen as morbid. Dying is the only certain thing in life, so why not discuss it with your family, this way everyone knows what to do in case of an unfortunate event.
You can link to The Natural Death Centre here.
Please contact us for if you have any questions you would like answered.
