Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Cremation dearer than burial?
2. How many people use cremation today in Western Australia?
3. Are there any religious groups that forbid cremation to their members?
4. What religious ceremony can I have with cremation?
5. Must there be any religious ceremony with the cremation?
6. Do I have to sign anything?
7. What happens at the crematorium on the day of the funeral?
8. What happens to the coffin after the service?
9. Does the cremation take place immediately, or are the coffins stored up until a number are ready to be cremated?
10. Is the coffin cremated with the body?
11. What happens about handles and other fittings?
12. What about precious metals and other metals?
13. What do you recommend to people about leaving items of jewellery on a body?
14. Is more than one coffin cremated at a time in a cremator?
15. How can I be sure I get the right cremation ashes?
16. Preparation of the cremated remains has been mentioned. What does this entail?
17. How can I ensure that I am cremated when I die?
18. Can I keep the cremated remains if I want, or must I dispose of them?
19. What can happen to the cremated remains?


1. Is Cremation dearer than burial?
Generally cremation is cheaper than burial. However please ask our staff who will advise you of the precise costs.


2. How many people use cremation today in Western Australia?
Approximately 80% of people use cremation in WA today.

3. Are there any religious groups that forbid cremation to their members?
Yes, cremation is forbidden by Orthodox Jews, most Orthodox faiths, Moslems and some other religions. Most Christian denominations, including Roman Catholicism, allow cremation. It is the normal method for Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists.

4. What religious ceremony can I have with cremation?
The service for burial and cremation is the same apart from the form of committal. The service can take place in your own church or in our private chapel. Alternatively the entire service may be conducted elsewhere, with no service occurring at the crematorium. You can arrange your own clergy to conduct the service or we can arrange for someone to do this for you.


5. Must there be any religious ceremony with the cremation?
No religious ceremony is required, although a civil ceremony can be conducted. On occasions a Memorial ceremony is conducted away from the crematorium.



6. Do I have to sign anything?
Yes, if you are the executor or the next of kin, or authorized by either to do so, you will be asked to complete two forms:
• An Application for Cremation
• and an Authority for Cremation.
You will also be asked to indicate your intention regarding disposal of the cremated remains. If you are undecided, say so, and the Crematorium will retain the remains for a reasonable period (i.e. between 3 to 6 months)


7. What happens at the crematorium on the day of the funeral?
The coffin is brought into the chapel and placed on the catalfalque (the committal table) prior to the mourners entering and taking their seats. At the appropriate time during the service the coffin may be removed from view by either the curtains closing or the conveyance being set in motion.

At the end of the service the mourners leave the chapel and enter the condolence lounge to pay their respects (and catering facilities are optional at this point).

8. What happens to the coffin after the service?
The coffin is withdrawn into a committal room where the nameplate on the coffin is checked with the cremation order to ensure the correct identity. The coffin is then identified with a label giving all the relevant information. This identification of the coffin stays with it until the final disposal of the cremated remains.

9. Does the cremation take place immediately, or are the coffins stored up until a number are ready to be cremated?
Cremation takes place as soon as possible after the service.


10. Is the coffin cremated with the body?
Yes, the coffin and body are cremated together.


11. What happens about handles and other fittings?
Some crematoria remove the fittings due to the adverse effects that the chemical composition can leave on cremation chambers, and also because licenses issued by the Environmental Protection Authority necessitate this. Any fittings are removed and destroyed.


12. What about precious metals and other metals?
The temperature at which a modern cremator operates (between 6,600C and 10,000C) results in metals being fused together with other materials so they are not recognizable and have no salvage value. Any metallic material resulting from a cremation is disposed of in accordance with the instruction of the Cremation Authority (usually by burial within the cremation grounds).


13. What do you recommend to people about leaving items of jewellery on a body?
The best advice is to remove jewellery after death. Once the coffin has entered the crematorium grounds, the coffin cannot be opened.


14. Is more than one coffin cremated at a time in a cremator?
No. The only exceptions permitted to this rule may be in the case of a mother and a baby, or twin children, and permission is sought from the relevant authority.


15. How can I be sure I get the right cremation ashes?
Each coffin is identified on arrival and the identity label on the outside of the cremator as soon as the coffin is placed into it. The label stays with the remains until they are placed into a container which is also suitably identified.
As each cremation chamber will only accept one coffin and the remains must be withdrawn before the cremator is used again, all remains are kept separate throughout the process. Furthermore all cremations in Western Australia are controlled by the State Government and Local Authorities who ensure that everything is conducted in a proper manner.


16. Preparation of the cremated remains has been mentioned. What does this entail?
When the cremation is complete the remains are withdrawn from the cremator into a cooling tray. Once cool all metallic materials are removed, and the remains are placed into a machine which reduces them to a fine, white ash.


17. How can I ensure that I am cremated when I die?
Clear instruction in writing should be given to the person who is responsible for your funeral when you die. These instructions are not binding in law, unless written in your Will. Therefore you should ensure that the person you instruct is someone who will carry out your wishes. The final decision rests with your executors.


18. Can I keep the cremated remains if I want, or must I dispose of them?
In most instances disposal of the remains is the responsibility of the administrators of the estate. They may keep the cremated remains if they so wish, or they may arrange a memorial which provides a place where family and friends can pay their respects.


19. What can happen to the cremated remains?
A memorial can be arranged within the cremation grounds. Some people retain the ashes, and others request that the cremated remains be scattered.