Making funeral arrangements is a time of emotion and on occasions, there are difficult decisions to make. Many people struggle with where to start the process. At Shaun Hamilton Funerals we will endeavour to make this process as simple as possible. We listen to you as a family, some families know exactly what they want, where some families rely solely on our suggestions.
Each family is different with individual needs. Nothing is right or wrong when organising a funeral. If it is important to you as a family it is important to us. Never be afraid to make requests, as in most cases these can be arranged.
Prior to contacting Shaun Hamilton Funerals there is some information which may be useful in what to do immediately when your loved one passes. Sometimes this can be sudden, other times a result of a long illness, therefore we have listed some circumstances where this may occur. We have tried to keep these guidelines simple.
Preparation booklet
What do I do?
When Death Occurs at Home
This can either be sudden or a result of a long illness. If sudden an Ambulance is called, they will help guide you through by contacting the Police or Doctor. If the passing was expected, then a call to the Doctor or Palliative care team will implement a home visit to issue a medial cause certificate. Once this is completed we are able to transfer your loved one to our mortuary facilities.
When Death Occurs at a Public Hospital
When a death occurs in a Public Hospital the first thing you need to do is contact your Funeral Director, there is no immediate rush to do this as all Public Hospitals have mortuaries and will take care of your loved one until all the necessary paperwork is complete. Once you have made the arrangements with your Funeral Director he /she will arrange for your loved one to be transferred to the funeral homes health department approved facility.
When Death Occurs at a Private Hospital
If a death occurs in a Private Hospital the hospital will ask you to nominate a Funeral Director, as Private Hospitals do not have mortuary facilities and the deceased will need to be transferred to a funeral home as soon as possible. Your Funeral Director will arrange with the hospital a suitable time for the transfer once the necessary paperwork has been completed, if the Doctor is not available, a registered nurse can issue a Life Extinct Form. Your Funeral Director will then liaise with the Doctor for the appropriate paperwork in due course.
When Death Occurs at a Nursing Home
In most nursing homes the procedure is the same as if your loved one was in a Private Hospital. When a person enters a Nursing Home the family are more often than not required to nominate a funeral home just in case something happens in the future.
It may be prudent to have some pre-arrangements in place and your Funeral Director would be pleased to put your mind at rest over any matters that may be concerning you.
The role of the funeral director
As your local Funeral Director, Shaun Hamilton Funerals undertake the various tasks and services typically involved in arranging, planning, and conducting a funeral service based on your choices. Some of the services we provide within our professional service fee are:
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Guidance, care and attention from your own personal funeral professional director, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
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Funeral Director servicing Tamworth, Quirindi, Werris Creek, Gunnedah, Manilla and surrounding districts. Available to make arrangements with you in one of our offices or in the comfort of your home
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Transfer of your loved one by the Funeral Director to our Registered Mortuary facility. Approved by Tamworth Regional Council and licensed by NSW Health
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Provision of mortuary care by experienced Funeral Director mortuary staff at our fully licensed, accredited mortuary facility
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Coordinate, liaise, and supervise all necessary staff and service providers to conduct the funeral service
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Placement of death and funeral service notices
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Prepare all documentation and applications to make arrangements for interment, cremation, or repatriation
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The provision of well-maintained funeral vehicles
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If requested, we will notify any clubs or associations of funeral service particulars
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Liaise with medical professionals to arrange and collect all necessary documentation
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Arrange floral tributes and collect and distribute attendance and tribute cards
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Arrange the opening of monumental burial sites
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Provision of advice and support from the Funeral Director before, during and following the funeral, including introduction to grief counsellors, support associations, and grief and loss literature
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Providing a donation box for the charity or association of your choice, if requested
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Registration of death with the State Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
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Holding of all relevant Funeral Director Insurances required to gain access to all Cemeteries/Crematoria
Additional Information that may assist
When we have been engaged to take care of Funeral arrangements on your behalf, we will attend to the following;
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We will register the Death with the Department of Births, Deaths & Marriages and apply for a certified copy of the Death Certificate
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We will notify Centrelink, Department of Veteran Affairs and Medicare
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We will pay all Clergy or Celebrant, Organist and Church fees on your behalf, unless directed otherwise
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All necessary Cemetery, Cremation and Doctors Fees are paid by us on your behalf, as will the florist and any newspaper notices that may be required
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You may need to notify: – Department of Housing, for those in receipt of rental assistance. Bank – Solicitor – Chemist – Dentist – Meals on Wheels – Taxation Office – RTA and Drivers Licence – Local Electricity Authority – Local Council (Rates) – Telephone provider – Insurance Companies – Superannuation Fund – Post Office – Doctor – and Share Holdings
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All of the abovementioned organisations will require a certified copy of the Death Certificate as issued by Births, Death & Marriages. Therefore, it is recommended that you wait until that has been received and copies made and signed by a JP
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The Department of Births, Deaths & Marriages notify the Electoral Office
Please contact us for no obligation information.
Floral Tributes
The tribute flowers below are styled to suit a casket or a coffin.
For church flowers please visit our florist website www.tamworthflorist.com.au
Coffins, Caskets & Urns
Shaun Hamilton Funerals provides a wide range of coffins and caskets to suit the individual requirements of every family.
Our range of coffins and caskets are 90% Australian made using renewable and sustainable materials however 10% of our range is imported from either Italy or China.
We have placed a sample of our range here
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any special requirements.
For more personal designs like these please visit our suppliers at
www.lifestylecoffins.com.au or www.expressioncoffins.com.au
Funeral Stationery & more
Dedicated Graphics Department, designing personalised individual artworks to capture and honour the life of your loved one.
Please contact us for information regarding these services.
Order of Service Booklet
Produced in consultation with the family the booklet outlines the proceedings of the Service for friends and family.
It also serves as a cherished keepsake, serving as a loving, respectful testament to your loved one.
Bookmarks, Memorial Cards, and Return Thanks Cards
Something to consider in addition to, or instead of an Order of Service booklet, is a personalised bookmark or card,
to hand out at the Service for friends and family.
Photographic Memories
A photo slideshow to celebrate the life of your loved one, is something to consider.
Sharing the happy moments and milestones with friends and family at the Service.
Livestream & Recordings
The option to include a live stream or recording can be arranged.
Something to consider for those unable to attend the Service.
