When someone dies, knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming.

Whether the death occurs at home, in hospital, in an aged care facility or unexpectedly, there are practical steps that need to be taken. You do not need to organise everything at once.

This guide explains what happens after someone dies on the Sunshine Coast, who you need to contact, how a funeral director can help, and the main cremation and burial options available to local families.

Perry & Oster Funerals is a family-owned and independent Sunshine Coast funeral home based in Kunda Park. We are available 24 hours a day to assist families throughout the Sunshine Coast and South-East Queensland.

Need immediate assistance? Call Perry & Oster Funerals on 07 5445 3490.

What Do You Do First When Someone Dies?

What happens first depends largely on where and how the person died.

If Someone Dies in Hospital

When someone dies in hospital, hospital staff will guide the family through the immediate process.

Once the necessary medical requirements have been completed and the person is ready to be released, the family can nominate their chosen funeral director.

You are generally free to choose the funeral home you want to use.

The funeral director can then arrange the transfer of your loved one into their care and begin making the funeral or cremation arrangements with you.

If Someone Dies in an Aged Care Facility

If the death was expected, aged care staff will usually contact the appropriate medical professional and notify the nominated family member.

The family can then contact their chosen funeral director.

Once the required documentation and release requirements have been completed, the funeral director can arrange the transfer.

If you already know that you would like Perry & Oster Funerals to care for your loved one, you can provide our details to the aged care facility.

If Someone Dies at Home and the Death Was Expected

An expected death at home is different from an unexpected death.

If the person has been receiving palliative or medical care and the death was expected, contact the treating doctor, palliative care team or appropriate health professional.

The required medical documentation will need to be organised before the funeral arrangements can proceed.

You can also contact your chosen funeral director for guidance about the next steps.

If Someone Dies Unexpectedly

If a person dies unexpectedly, call 000.

An unexpected or unexplained death may need to be reported to the Queensland Coroner.

Police and medical professionals will manage the initial process and advise the family about what happens next.

A funeral director can still be contacted while the coronial process is underway. Funeral arrangements can begin, although some details may need to wait until the person is released into the funeral director’s care.

When Should You Call a Funeral Director?

You can contact a funeral director as soon as you feel ready.

You do not need to have decided whether you want a cremation, burial, funeral service or private farewell before calling.

The first conversation is often simply about understanding what has happened and what needs to happen next.

At Perry & Oster Funerals, we can guide families through:

• transferring their loved one into our care;
• completing the required funeral documentation;
• registering the death;
• arranging cremation or burial;
• choosing a coffin;
• organising a chapel, church or graveside service;
• arranging a celebrant or clergy;
• music and photographic tributes;
• funeral stationery;
• flowers;
• viewings and private goodbyes;
• cremation documentation;
• arranging the Death Certificate; and
• returning ashes to the family following cremation.

Our role is to make the process clear and manageable.

Choosing Between Cremation and Burial

One of the first decisions families usually make is whether their loved one will be cremated or buried.

There is no single correct choice.

The decision may depend on the person’s wishes, religious or cultural beliefs, family traditions, cemetery arrangements and budget.

Direct Cremation on the Sunshine Coast

A direct cremation, sometimes called a no-service cremation, is a cremation without a formal funeral ceremony beforehand.

It can be appropriate for families who want a simple arrangement or intend to hold a memorial or celebration of life separately.

Perry & Oster Funerals offers Direct Cremation on the Sunshine Coast for $2,552 including GST.

The package includes the essential professional services and arrangements required for the cremation, including an Essential Care coffin, cremation and the return of the ashes to the family.

An additional transfer fee may apply where an after-hours transfer is required.

Direct cremation does not mean that a family cannot commemorate the person.

Some families choose to hold a memorial service later, scatter or inter the ashes somewhere meaningful, or arrange a private family gathering.

Cremation With a Funeral Service

Families who would like a traditional funeral ceremony followed by cremation can arrange a cremation with service.

Perry & Oster Funerals’ Cremation with Service package is $7,337 including GST.

A service can include personal elements such as:

favourite music, a eulogy, readings or poems, photographs, a photo tribute, flowers, family participation; a memorial book; and religious or cultural traditions.

Services can be personalised to reflect the person being remembered rather than following a rigid format.

Burial Services on the Sunshine Coast

Some families prefer burial because of personal, cultural, religious or family traditions.

Perry & Oster Funerals offers Burial with Service from $5,731 including GST, with cemetery charges additional.

Cemetery fees are separate because they are generally charged by the cemetery operator rather than the funeral home.

The Sunshine Coast has a number of cemeteries and burial options.

Families may choose a traditional cemetery burial, an existing family grave or, where appropriate, a natural burial.

If there is already a reserved grave or family burial site, tell your funeral director as early as possible so the burial rights and cemetery records can be confirmed.

Natural Burial on the Sunshine Coast

Natural burial provides an alternative for people who prefer a simpler and more environmentally conscious burial.

Natural burial generally uses biodegradable materials and aims to minimise the environmental impact of the burial.

Perry & Oster Funerals can assist families considering natural burial at Eumundi and explain the requirements, coffin options and cemetery arrangements.

Because natural burial sites have specific requirements, it is worth discussing these wishes with your funeral director before purchasing flowers, decorations or other funeral items.

How Much Does a Funeral Cost on the Sunshine Coast?

Funeral costs vary considerably depending on the type of funeral selected.

The main distinction is usually between:

Direct cremation – $2,552 including GST with Perry & Oster Funerals.

Cremation with a funeral service – $7,337 including GST.

Burial with a funeral service – from $5,731 including GST, excluding cemetery fees.

Additional costs can arise depending on the family’s choices and circumstances.

These may include upgraded coffins or caskets, flowers, additional funeral stationery, livestreaming, cemetery charges, after-hours transfers and other optional services.

Families should always request a clear, itemised quote before entering into a funeral arrangement.

Funeral Pricing in Queensland: What Families Should Know

Queensland has specific funeral pricing requirements designed to make costs easier for consumers to understand.

Funeral businesses must make certain pricing information available, and families can request an itemised quote showing the services being provided, relevant disbursements and the total payable.

When comparing funeral prices, do not compare only the headline figure.

Ask:

What is actually included?

Check whether the quoted price includes the coffin, transfer, cremation or cemetery charges, professional fees, certificates and other necessary expenses.

A low advertised starting price can look very different once required charges are added.

At Perry & Oster Funerals, we believe families should understand the costs before making decisions. Our aim is to provide clear, transparent pricing without unnecessary surprises.

What Paperwork Is Required After Someone Dies?

There are several documents associated with arranging a funeral and registering a death.

The exact paperwork depends on the circumstances and whether cremation or burial has been chosen.

Your funeral director will explain which documents apply and help coordinate the process.

One important document is the Death Registration Application.

The information required can include details about the deceased person’s:

• full legal name;
• date and place of birth;
• residential address;
• relationship status;
• parents;
• marriage or relationships;
• children; and
• occupation.

Having this information available can make the arrangement process easier.

Who Registers the Death in Queensland?

In most cases, the funeral director registers the death with the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages as part of the funeral arrangements.

A certified Death Certificate can then be ordered.

The Death Certificate may later be required when dealing with banks, superannuation, insurance, property, probate and other estate matters.

Do You Need a Funeral Service?

No.

A formal funeral ceremony is not compulsory.

Some families want a traditional funeral service. Others prefer a direct cremation followed by a memorial gathering later.

Other options can include a private goodbye, graveside service, church funeral or natural burial.

What matters is choosing an arrangement appropriate for the person who has died and the people saying goodbye.

Can You View Your Loved One Before Cremation?

In many circumstances, yes.

A viewing can provide family members with an opportunity to spend private time with the person before the funeral or cremation.

Some people find this an important part of saying goodbye, while others prefer not to have a viewing.

There is no obligation.

Perry & Oster Funerals can discuss the available options with your family and help you decide what feels appropriate.

What Happens to the Ashes After Cremation?

Following cremation, the cremated remains are returned to the funeral director for collection by the authorised person.

Families have many choices about what happens next.

Ashes may be:

• kept at home;
• placed in an urn;
• divided between family members;
• scattered at a meaningful location where permitted;
• interred in a cemetery or memorial garden; or
• incorporated into an appropriate memorial.

There is generally no need to decide immediately.

Families can take time to consider what feels right.

What If the Person Had a Prepaid Funeral?

Tell the funeral director as soon as possible if you believe the person had a prepaid funeral plan.

Locate any paperwork you can find relating to the arrangement.

A prepaid arrangement may contain important information about the person’s funeral wishes and which services have already been paid for.

Perry & Oster Funerals also assists people who want to pre-plan their own funeral.

Pre-planning can document your wishes and reduce the number of decisions family members need to make later.

What Information Should I Have When Calling a Funeral Home?

Do not worry if you do not have everything.

For the initial call, it is useful to know:

• the person’s full name;
• where they died;
• whether the death was expected;
• where they are currently located;
• the name of the person making the arrangements;
• whether cremation or burial has previously been discussed; and
• whether there is a prepaid funeral arrangement.

Everything else can be worked through afterwards.

Choosing a Funeral Director on the Sunshine Coast

Families are entitled to choose the funeral director they feel comfortable with.

When comparing funeral homes, consider more than price alone.

Look for clear pricing, local knowledge, communication, ownership and who will actually be caring for your loved one.

Ask questions.

A funeral director should be prepared to explain the process and costs clearly.

A Family-Owned Sunshine Coast Funeral Home

Perry & Oster Funerals is a family-owned and independent funeral home on the Sunshine Coast.

Being independent means our focus remains on the families we care for rather than a large corporate structure.

From our funeral home at 2/19 Endeavour Drive, Kunda Park, we assist families across the Sunshine Coast and throughout South-East Queensland.

Our services include:

• Direct Cremation;
• Cremation with Service;
• Burial with Service;
• No Service Burial
• Natural Burial at Eumundi Cemetery
• private goodbyes and viewings;
• prepaid funeral arrangements; and
• funeral planning and family support.

We believe funeral care should be compassionate, dignified and transparent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I call when someone dies on the Sunshine Coast?

If the death is unexpected, call 000. If the death was expected and the person was receiving medical or palliative care, contact the relevant doctor or healthcare team. You can then contact your chosen funeral director for assistance.

How soon do I need to arrange the funeral?

You do not need to make every decision immediately. Contacting a funeral director early can help you understand what needs to happen and which decisions can wait.

How much is a direct cremation on the Sunshine Coast?

Perry & Oster Funerals provides Direct Cremation for $2,552 including GST. Additional charges can apply in particular circumstances, including after-hours transfers.

How much is a cremation with a funeral service?

Perry & Oster Funerals’ Cremation with Service package is $7,337 including GST.

How much is a burial funeral on the Sunshine Coast?

Perry & Oster Funerals’ Burial with Service package starts from $5,731 including GST. Cemetery fees are additional.

Can I choose my own funeral director?

Yes. Families can choose the funeral provider they want to make the arrangements.

Does a funeral director organise the Death Certificate?

The funeral director will generally register the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages Queensland and can arrange the certified Death Certificate as part of the process. We certainly take care of this for the families we serve.

Can we have a funeral without a religious service?

Yes. Funeral services can be religious, non-religious or somewhere in between. A celebrant, clergy member, family member or another appropriate person can participate depending on the family’s wishes. The Buderim Crematorium is a non-denominational chapel.

Can we arrange a funeral in advance?

Yes. Funeral wishes can be discussed and documented in advance, and prepaid funeral arrangements are also available.

We Are Here When You Need Us

When someone dies, you do not need to understand the entire funeral process before making the first phone call.

We can guide you through it one step at a time.

Perry & Oster Funerals
Family-Owned & Independent Funeral Directors
2/19 Endeavour Drive, Kunda Park QLD 4556

Available 24 hours

Phone: 07 5445 3490
Email: [email protected]

Serving families across Buderim, Maroochydore, Nambour, Caloundra, Coolum, Noosa and the wider Sunshine Coast and South-East Queensland.