From the first phone call to the final goodbye — what to expect, what it costs, and how to create a farewell that truly honours the person you love.
The first step is to ring your chosen funeral home. They will set all the legal processes in motion, take your loved one into their care, and arrange a time to meet with you to discuss the arrangements.
At that meeting you'll be asked to make two main decisions: burial or cremation, and a funeral or a memorial. There is no wrong answer — only what feels right for your family and for the person you're honouring.
One of the least expensive options is a "direct cremation" — many families choose this, and then hold a celebration of life in the form of a memorial. It's less formal than a funeral, and there is no coffin present. If you're choosing a less formal farewell, Cyrano can help you create an elegant send-off, whatever your needs.
It all adds up, and a typical funeral can cost from $6,000 upwards. The main things to consider are:
The essentials. Venue, coffin, and transportation.
The people. Clergy or celebrant, and the funeral home's professional services.
The touches. Flowers, stationery, multimedia, and music.
This is where your funeral arranger becomes invaluable — they will guide you and offer services that suit your requirements and your budget.
If you're planning a memorial or a less formal farewell, the Cyrano Funeral Guide gives you everything an experienced Australian funeral celebrant knows about creating a beautiful service — the same knowledge families pay hundreds of dollars for on the day.
How a service flows and how long it should run · the complete service template — Welcome, Eulogy, Tributes, Photo Tribute, Reflection, Committal, Farewell — with the words to say at every step · a curated library of 130+ pieces of funeral music · a service builder that produces a beautifully printed booklet for mourners and a running sheet for whoever leads the day.
Explore the Funeral Guide — $99.95
One-time payment · attaches to the eulogy or tribute you're writing · no subscription
Cyrano guides you through every step, at your own pace, in your own words.
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