FAQ

Most cemetery/crematorium chapels in Sydney now offer FREE live streaming during COVID-19. Venues such as churches and halls don’t offer this service, though there are external companies that offer the service at an additional charge.

If you are unwell with flu-like symptoms or have been in contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days, we ask for your cooperation in not attending the funeral.

The Government guidelines require us to keep a register of all attendees at funeral services. This register is to be held securely by Black Tulip Funerals and the attending venue for 30 days and only released if requested by the Department of Health for contact tracing.

When a person dies in a private residence, a medical certificate cause of death will usually be signed by the family doctor. We highly recommend especially for families choosing to cremate, that the attending doctor is your normal GP. Sometimes there is a need for Police involvement, especially for accidental, unexplained or unexpected death.

When a person dies in a nursing home, a medical certificate cause of death is issued by the normal nursing home GP. Sadly though, most nursing homes push the families to have the deceased transferred immediately and have an afterhours GP or Registered Nurse sign an interim certificate.

When a person dies in a private hospital or public hospital the hospital doctor will usually sign the medical certificate cause of death. Once a death has been verified, the family is able to contact a funeral director of their choice to request transfer of the deceased.

Our role is to answer the many questions that will arise and guide families through arrangements to create a loving and final tribute to best honour the life of their loved one.

Most funeral services are held in a church, funeral home chapel or at a cemetery chapel. The choice belongs to the family making the arrangements. However, Black Tulip Funerals pricing is designed to conduct funerals solely within our facilities.

Any person is able to lead a funeral service. Most often, families choose a minister of religion or a civil celebrant. Your funeral director is usually able to nominate the best person to suit your family’s needs.

People often find the task of writing and performing a eulogy quite daunting, but it can be a wonderful way to remember a loved-one and share some special memories. It is an honour to be chosen to deliver a eulogy.

A private viewing can be arranged prior to the funeral at an additional cost or be included in the allocated funeral timing at no cost. Some families organise a double booking on the day of the funeral and have the viewing prior to the actual allocated funeral time.

Children are always welcome at funerals and sometimes even given a role to play as part of the funeral service. There are some families however, who may feel their children are too young to understand or participate fully.

Your funeral director will provide you with the New South Wales Birth, Deaths & Marriages Death Registration form for you to complete. Once registered, the official Death Certificate will take approximately 2-3 weeks to arrive.

Our arrangers can assist with all your floral needs, from casket sprays to individual reflection flowers. We support our local florists and can share their details if you wish to personally speak to them.

Most families tend to utilize their own vehicles these days, though we can provide chauffeured sedans and limousines as per the family’s requests. All pricing is on application due to distance and services needed.

Yes, our packages provide the normal necessary requirements, though we always make recommendations to families on how they can personally contribute to make a unique experience that reflects and honours the life of your loved one.

Black Tulip Funerals specialize in various funeral services, such as Chinese, Buddhist, Hindu, Punk/Goth, Indigenous and LGBTIQ+. Each service is completely personalized to the request of the family.

Though we are all conscious of the emotional significance releasing balloons can have at a funeral, these releases can also have a negative effect on the environment. NSW has restrictions limiting the maximum number to 19 balloons at any one time.

This can certainly be done. Your arranger can assist with suggestions to create a coffin that is very unique and personal for your loved one. The family can be provided the coffin to personalize in their own time.

Newspaper death notices are usually placed by family and friends of the deceased prior to the funeral service taking place. The newspaper will give you ideas on what is generally mentioned in the notice.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are commonly used by families to share the passing of a loved one and scheduled funeral details. If funeral stationery has been ordered through Funera, we include a complimentary picture notice.

Costs of a funeral varies, depending on the options you and your family choose. We provide a range of standard packages that cover most family’s needs, while providing options that allow you and your family to tailor the funeral.

If you are aware of any Funeral Insurance Policies, it is advisable to speak directly with the provider before discussing your requirements with a funeral director. Most insurance companies pay the beneficiary noted on the policy, and not the funeral director.

The choice of funeral can be an emotional issue, often reflecting religious and ethnic beliefs.

Burial: In a recognised burial place with new grave (or a reopened, existing grave).

Entombment: In a mausoleum is the preferred resting place in some cultures. The mausoleum is constructed above ground and allows the coffin to be placed into a crypt which is then sealed.

Cremation: The cremation procedure can only take place where a crematorium exists. The act of cremation takes place once the coffin is committed and only one coffin is cremated at a time.

A coffin is tapered in shape, wider at the shoulders and narrower at the head and foot. A casket is rectangular in shape, comes mostly with a hinged lid and can be supplied in MDF, solid timber or metal.

Embalming is an important option we recommend to families. The process involves a range of hygienic and cosmetic procedures, the purpose of which are to slow down the deterioration of the body and facilitate viewing.

At Black Tulip Funerals, we are a family owned service provider. We are devoted to providing the best possible service to satisfy the needs of our families without the distraction of corporate mandates.

A Prepaid Funeral Plan not only enables you to ease the financial burden on loved ones, but it also allows you to plan your goodbye the way you would like it to be, choosing everything from your choice of coffin, flowers and music. Unlike funeral insurance, a prepaid funeral is a one-off cost and there are no ongoing premiums to worry about

The cost of a prepaid funeral will vary depending on the type of funeral service that you choose. Our arrangers will discuss with you the different types of funeral services, including burial, cremation and other options. Many people now pre-pay for their funeral earlier in life because the cost is more affordable, the price is protected against inflation and they can become involved in the decisions made on the funeral.

Some people may feel comfortable discussing their funeral plans with a spouse, adult children or another member of the family. Others, however, may prefer to make arrangements directly in complete confidence. We would strongly advise that if your immediate family is not informed, a trusted friend, solicitor or executor should be notified when a plan is purchased.

The administration of the funds is handled by a well-respected independent public company and have government security. If we were to go out of business, your funds are held by the trust, and the trust would appoint another suitable funeral director to take care of your prepaid plans.

You have the right, at any time during your lifetime, to cancel the agreement and withdraw from the plan. With the exception of administration expenses, all money paid by you would be refunded.