Burial suits the needs of many families and Somerville Funerals can assist you to make arrangements to purchase a new gravesite or to use an existing one at any cemetery or memorial park.
We are also experienced in assisting families who require a crypt, vault or mausoleum space to meet their cultural needs.
Once you have decided to hold a burial, there are a few other decisions to make. Our funeral directors are committed to helping you make the right choices and will spend the time with you to explain all of the different options available, discuss alternatives or additions to the service, as well as answering all your questions.
Pernament memorials
A physical or permanent memorial in a cemetery or memorial garden has an important role to play in dealing with grief and is an important consideration when planning a burial. Somerville Funerals experience in assisting families to make burial arrangements leads us to recommend these cemeteries:
Whatever your choices and preferences, Somerville Funerals will help you to make the right decisions.
Viewings
A viewing can be a special time for some families, and in many cultures they are a standard part of the funeral service.
A viewing is a time that relatives and friends can see their loved one before the funeral service to pay their respects and say private goodbyes. Special items can be placed in the coffin by family and friends which can be a meaningful and heartfelt gesture.
Our dedicated mortuary professionals ensure each person entrusted to us receives the best of care, and the deceased does not have to be dressed in a suit. We invite families to provide clothing for the deceased that captures their spirit – like their favourite team colours, or the gardening clothes they were always dressed in.
The funeral directors at Somerville believe holding a viewing is a matter of choice. We are happy to arrange for one at one of our funeral homes, at your church or any other appropriate venue, even the family home.
Funeral Services
Somerville Funerals is proud to be trusted by the families of the Gold Coastto provide funeral services of the highest quality regardless of you cultural or religious background or the style of funeral you wish to arrange.
Funeral services are as varied as the lives of the individuals they are for. Each funeral has the possibility of being a unique experience which commemorates the life of a valued friend or loved one and can be tailored to meet your cultural, spiritual, emotional and personal preferences.
Funeral services styles differ. We have experience creating modern funerals, traditional funerals as well as funerals that meet specific cultural or religious needs. They can be held at churches or other houses of worship, at our chapel, or at the location of your choice.
Whatever you decide is right for you and your family, you can be assured that your Somerville funeral director will be there to help you every step of the way.
Graveside services
Many families hold a graveside service as part of their farewell to a loved one.
A graveside service can be part of a traditional funeral service, occurring after a service at another venue, or the graveside service can be the sole venue for the funeral service.
Somerville Funerals is experienced at conducting graveside funeral services and will attend with respect and dignity.
You can still personalise the service to your cultural, spiritual, emotional and personal preferences. You can have special music played, releasing doves into the air or any other special touches you think appropriate. We will give you the time to make the choices that are right for you and you can rely on Somerville’s experienced and caring funeral directors to carry out all your wishes.
Memorial Services
A memorial service offers family and friends the opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of the deceased, express their grief, and say their goodbyes, in an appropriate and respectful manner.
It may take place at our chapel, the family home, a church, or even outdoors. This is a time to remember your loved one by gathering with friends and family.
The memorial service can often make a suitable addition to a private funeral service. A memorial service can also be held after a burial if this meets the needs of the family.
Family Gathering
A family gathering or ‘wake’ held after the funeral service can be an important time for friends and relatives to gather together. A family gathering is a time to share memories, help family and friends deal with loss and to provide hospitality for those who may have travelled a great distance to be at the funeral service.
Somerville’s funeral directors can help remove the stress of putting on a family gathering by assisting in the organising of the occasion for you. We can help you with venues, catering and staff so you and your family can concentrate on your guests.
You can choose our coldolence lounge, a hotel or club, or even your home.