We endeavour to tailor a service that reflects the needs of the family whilst paying respect to the deceased. At the conclusion of the arrangement, you will be given an estimate sheet with the breakdown of all costs. This estimate in fact will be very close to the final total with the difference generally being cost of newspaper notices. You will also be given confirmation of the funeral arrangements. You can contact a consultant anytime you wish to discuss, confirm or alter arrangements.
Newspaper Notices
Your Funeral Consultant can help you word these or you may want to write something by yourself, either way we can put these notices into the paper for you.
Example
SMITH Joan Alice
Passed away peacefully on 27th March 2007
Dearly loved wife of Alfred
Much loved and loving mother and mother
in-law of Ann and Graham, Jean and John
and Gary and Alison.
Adored and devoted Granny of Emily, Ben, Penny,
Graham Jr and Jeff.She never failed to do her best,
Her heart was true and tender
She simply lived for those she loved
And those she loved remember.
This is just a small example of a death notice, sometimes people may want to add some words that reflect either their feelings or the personality of their loved one, or a photo. There is no right or wrong way to write a notice. Writing a funeral notice can sometimes be therapeutic. Most funeral notices tend to follow a pattern, advising people of the service, where it is, what time and any other details such as; what cemetery (if service is a burial) and donations to a charity. Your funeral consultant will advise you of the wording of this.
Jewellery and Personal Possessions
Occasionally when people come into our care they may have jewellery or other personal possessions on them. Your consultant will ask if you wish jewellery to remain on your loved one or to have this removed and returned to the family. Sometimes families wish for items to be left on until after the viewing.
Preparation of the Deceased
Once your loved one comes into our care we will prepare them for you to visit if you wish, by means of dressing, hair and embalming. Sometimes it’s helpful if we are provided with a photo of the deceased to enable us to ensure we have the right look. You might want to consider dressing your loved one in clothing that you are used to seeing them in, including glasses. We can organise a time for family and friends if you wish to attend a viewing in one of our chapels and spend some time saying goodbye.
Vehicles for the Funeral
If you prefer, we can arrange for a car or limousine to transport your family to the service and/or burial. While many people choose to drive themselves nowadays, we understand that you may prefer alternative arrangements. Opting for our car or limousine service offers several benefits, including comfort, convenience, and peace of mind, allowing you to focus on honouring your loved one without the worry of driving.
We offer two hearse options: our classic Mercedes-Benz and the luxurious Bentley, both available for carry-in and carry-out services, as well as processions to burial sites. Additionally, we can provide our Horse Drawn Hearse for carry-ins held at our Ridgehaven chapels, offering an elegant and traditional touch to the service.
Location of the Funeral
You have the flexibility to choose the location that best suits your preferences for the funeral service. Our experienced staff are able to conduct services state-wide.
Our facilities, recognised within the industry as the premier funeral establishments in the country, include three elegant, purpose-built chapels with generous seating and parking: two at Ridgehaven and one at Queenstown. At our chapels, we do not conduct multiple funerals simultaneously, ensuring the facility is dedicated to your family and friends alone, allowing ample time without strict time constraints.
Alternatively, you may opt for a more traditional funeral in a church, a service at the graveside, or even a ceremony at a private residence or outdoor setting of your choice. Our goal is to accommodate your wishes and ensure a meaningful service for your loved one.

Drumminor Cemetery
Drumminor Gardens Cemetery is set amongst 100 year old gums and pioneer ruins, Drumminor Gardens is a world class cemetery purpose built to cater for the needs of families, during a time of bereavement.

Funeral Officiants
A funeral can be officiated by either, Clergy or a Civil Celebrant. On rare occasions family decide to run proceedings themselves, but at this sad time many find this hard to do without support. Our staff can assist you in this matter.

Music for the Service
Music plays a vital role in personalising a funeral service. Families often select pieces that their loved one enjoyed or that reflect their personality. Additionally, live music options are available, such as a piper for a Scotsman or a violin or harp for classical music enthusiasts. Our Funeral Consultants are here to help you choose the perfect music if you’re finding it difficult to decide.

Funeral Stationery
Many families wish to have a keepsake from the funeral to cherish the memory of their loved one. We can assist you in creating memorial cards, bookmarks, orders of service, hymn sheets, and seed packets. These items can feature your loved one’s photo or an image they would have appreciated. Typically, details of the deceased and their family are included, along with a thoughtful verse for reflection. Some families may choose to include a well-loved recipe that their loved one enjoyed cooking, adding a personal and cherished touch.
Additionally, a memorial book serves as a cherished keepsake for the family. On the day of the funeral, it can be challenging to speak with everyone and remember who attended. As family and friends print their names in the memorial book, it becomes a comforting record for the family to look back on and remember the support and presence of loved ones during this difficult time.

Floral Tributes
Floral tributes serve as a beautiful expression of a family’s respect for their loved one, with these flowers traditionally placed atop the coffin. Our funeral consultants collaborate with the finest florists to present an array of stunning arrangements for you to choose from.
Following a burial service, the flowers typically accompany the coffin to the cemetery and are placed on the grave. In the case of a cremation, the flowers can either be sent with the coffin to the crematorium or, if preferred, the family may choose to take them home.

Charitable Donations
In contemporary times, many families prefer not to receive flowers following the passing of a loved one. Instead, they often invite people to make a donation in their loved one’s memory to a charity. These choices are usually related to causes that were significant to their loved one, such as an illness that affected the deceased or a family member, or a cause they deeply believed in.
Other Memorabilia
A variety of hobbies and interests can be beautifully showcased in a lounge area or at the front of a chapel, reflecting the deceased’s life and passions. These personal touches can create a meaningful and heartfelt tribute, celebrating the unique life and personality of your loved one. The possibilities for personalisation are truly endless.
On The Day
On the day of the service, your Funeral Consultant, along with our dedicated funeral assistants, will ensure that all the details you discussed during the arrangements are seamlessly executed. They will be there to support you and your family, providing reassurance about the proceedings and guiding you with care and compassion through every step of the process.
DVD Presentation
Honouring a loved one’s life can be deeply personal and meaningful. At Harrison Funerals, families are welcome to share photos, select pieces of music, and include short videos, which we compile into a respectful and heartfelt presentation. This presentation is then displayed on screens throughout the chapel, offering a poignant moment to reflect on and honour the life of your loved one. The photos and videos often evoke a range of emotions—laughter, tears, and everything in between—highlighting the unique journey of an individual’s life.
live Streaming
Live streaming funerals has become an invaluable option for families who want to include loved ones who cannot attend in person. At Harrison Funerals, we offer live streaming services in all our chapels, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to view the service, regardless of their physical location. These live streams can be set up as either public or private, depending on your preference.
We also understand that not all services take place within our chapels, which is why we can arrange for live streaming at other locations. This flexibility ensures that no matter where the service is held, friends and family can still be part of the occasion.
One of the key features of our live streaming service is the ability to keep the recorded service stored for 12 months. This allows families ample time to download and revisit the recording whenever they need to. It can be especially meaningful for those who want to reflect on the service, share it with loved ones who may have missed it, or simply keep it as a cherished memory.
Professional Filming
While we offer live streaming in all of our own chapels, we can also arrange for the funeral to be professionally filmed and/or live-streamed by a team of videographers, whether in our facilities or at another location.
Having a funeral professionally filmed can offer several benefits. It provides a lasting keepsake for young children who may have no recollection of the funeral and may wish to view it as they grow older. Some may want to revisit the service to relive the memories and find comfort in moments they may have missed. Additionally, having a recorded service can offer solace during times of reflection, helping individuals process their grief at their own pace.