Frequently Asked Questions

If a death occurs at home, the first step is to contact the deceased’s doctor. If the doctor is unavailable, the family should call the Police and Ambulance. During this time, you can also contact Minge Funerals for advice and support—we are here to guide you through the process.

We will answer your call for assistance at any time of the day or night and on any day of the year.

While family members are welcome to spend time with their loved one, it is advisable to arrange for a transfer to our mortuary as soon as practicable. Later, at a time convenient to you, can discuss and plan the funeral arrangements, either at our funeral home, at your home or at a place convenient to you.

Most natural deaths occur in a hospital or nursing home where a doctor is present to issue a death certificate. Nursing staff will typically contact a funeral director/funeral consultant to transfer the deceased to their mortuary. If your loved one has already been taken to another funeral director/funeral consultant but you would prefer Minge Funerals to manage the arrangements, simply call us, and we will organise the transfer to our care.

When a Registered Nurse contacts Minge Funerals to arrange the transfer, they provide us with the next of kin’s details, allowing us to contact and assist the family in planning the funeral. Nursing homes often require families to nominate a funeral director/funeral consultant upon admission. We welcome you to contact us for a no-obligation discussion about your options, advice, and pricing.

If a death occurs in a hospital, either the hospital or the family may contact Minge Funerals. We will arrange for the transfer of your loved one into our care and arrange a convenient time to commence the funeral planning process.

In the case of a sudden or accidental death, the first call should be to the police. If a doctor is unable to issue a death certificate immediately, the deceased should not be moved or disturbed. The police will liaise with the Coroner’s Office, who will arrange for the transfer of the deceased to their facilities.

If the Coroner becomes involved, we encourage you to contact Minge Funerals at any time, day or night. Our compassionate team is here to provide advice and support, helping you navigate this difficult situation with care and understanding.

Minge Funerals can arrange the repatriation of your loved one to Australia with care and professionalism. With over nine decades of experience, we have assisted many families in bringing their loved ones home, leveraging a trusted global network of providers for support.

We personally oversee as much of the process as possible, ensuring it is handled with compassion and efficiency. Our priority is to reunite your loved one with their family as quickly as practicable.

At Minge Funerals, we personally manage the entire repatriation process, ensuring every detail is handled with care and professionalism. We do not outsource coordination; instead, we work directly with the overseas funeral director/funeral consultant to oversee and complete the repatriation seamlessly.

There are several items, which Minge Funerals can assist with, if you wish. These include:

• Doctors’ certificates
• Registration of death and lodgement with the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages
• Composition and lodgement of newspaper notices
• Cremation permits
• Burial permits for ex-service personnel

Our experienced team is here to provide compassionate guidance and ensure everything is handled seamlessly during this difficult time.

The Death Certificate is applied for at the time of the Funeral Service. The process takes approximately two weeks for the Death Certificate to be issued and sent. The Certificate is sent to the person nominated at the Funeral Arrangement.

In life, we acknowledge every monumental occasion including birthdays, christening, graduations and weddings. A funeral services is no different, with the practice of holding a ceremony to commemorate a death occurring in every civilisation throughout history. A funeral is a time where family and friends come together to acknowledge and thanks to the life of a loved one, whilst also providing support and care for those left behind and having all of this occurring with the deceased present in a coffin.

Choosing a funeral home is a big decision to make. Often when a family has had experience with a funeral home, they will continue to use their service. However, if you do not have experience with a funeral home, there are some important factors to consider. The funeral home’s location, cost and reputation are all points to research. Conversely, it could be word of mouth from someone who has attended a service that they would recommend. The best advice is to visit the funeral home and talk directly with the staff.

The role of a funeral consultant is to assist in the planning of a funeral. They work alongside families to organise a special celebration for their loved one. During this time they also provide support to grieving families in their time of need. Whilst they are not grief counsellors, they do provide experienced advice and can help you find a grief counsellor if need be.

There is no legal requirement to have a funeral service, but it is a legal requirement to be buried or cremated. Some families choose to have a memorial service or remembrance gathering with no coffin present, some families choose to have no gathering at all. It is vital to communicate your wishes to your family.

In these circumstances, Minge Funerals still arrange all the paperwork and care of the deceased but without the funeral service.

Legal responsibility rests with the executor appointed in the Will of the deceased. If there is no valid Will, usually the closest next of kin will have the right to apply to act as administrator of the estate and make funeral arrangements.

When you meet with one of our funeral directors/funeral consultants you will need the necessary information required to register the death of the deceased including full name, address, occupation, place and date of death, marriages, children and parents (including maiden names).

Funerals can be held in a variety of meaningful locations across South Australia. While many families choose traditional venues such as a church, chapel, or our funeral home in Murray Bridge, there are also more personalised options available, including:

• Bushland
• Ovals
• Parks
• Family homes
• Racecourses
• Golf courses
• Wineries
• Community venues such as the RSL

At Minge Funerals, we can assist in organising your chosen venue to ensure it reflects your loved one’s life and legacy.

When selecting a location, it is important to consider the number of attendees. Factors such as the age of the deceased (younger individuals often have larger gatherings), family size, friendships, club memberships, and employment history can all influence attendance. Our team is here to guide you in choosing the right venue to accommodate your family and friends with care and respect.

If a funeral is advertised, then anyone is welcome to attend. However, if the funeral is not advertised and the family has not personally invited you, then you should not attend. This usually indicates that the funeral is private and you must respect the wishes of the family.

It is important to give children the option to attend a funeral. It is also a tough decision to make as a parent, however allowing the child to make up their own mind is sometimes a good idea. There are instances where babies and toddlers can be disruptive, however, they can provide welcome relief for members of the family.

Gone are the days when mourners were expected to wear black. When attending a funeral, your attire should reflect both the location of the service, what the deceased would have appreciated in life, and the deceased’s family’s wishes.

On a practical level, consider the weather, the venue, and the duration of the service, especially if it includes a burial. Be prepared for possible long periods of standing, whether before the service, during the ceremony if seating is limited, or at the gathering afterwards. In wet weather, cemeteries can become muddy, so suitable footwear is advisable.

The eulogy tells the story of the deceased’s life outlining the important milestones and providing a reflective observation of his/her personality and character.

One person may deliver the eulogy or you may want to divide aspects amongst a number of speakers.

For more detailed information, you can download our guide here.

The Funeral account will be finalised after the Funeral Service, this takes approximately two weeks to process and will be sent to the nominated person organising the funeral.

The Funeral account is due within 60 days from the date of the invoice.

There are a variety of different methods that are available for a deceased person. They can choose between burial, cremation, entombment or donation to a University for scientific research.

The Crematorium will send you a letter (Cremation Certificate) notifying you that your loved one has been cremated. If you have chosen to collect the ashes from Minge Funerals, a couple of days after receiving the cremation certificate, the cremated remains of the deceased will arrive at 63 Swanport Road, Murray Bridge. Before you pick up the ashes please call (08) 8531 1111 to confirm a convenient time to collect the Ashes and bring along the Cremation Certificate.

The Cremation Certificated is required to pick up the Ashes.

Deciding what to do with a loved one’s cremated remains can be easy if they have already outlined their wishes. However, in the case when they have not made a request, much consideration is required. It is important to know there is no need to rush into a decision, as it can be made at any time after a funeral, even years later. There are a variety of options to contemplate including keeping ashes at a cemetery site, or scattering them at a cherished location of the loved one.

In order for the University to accept a deceased person for study, the body must meet certain standards. At the time of donation, the University will discuss the criteria with the loved ones.

To ensure your wishes are fulfilled, you can get in touch with us prior to death to make arrangements. During a meeting with our funeral consultant you and your family can arrange most details regarding the type of service you would like to have.

Our funeral consultants are more than happy to discuss a pre-arranged funeral with you at any time. The process takes around two hours and can be held in either the privacy of your own home, or otherwise at our premises.

For those who would like their funeral wishes to be recorded, both pre-arranged and pre-paid funerals are options. The difference is a pre-paid funeral, as its name suggests, is paid in advance. By paying in advance for your funeral, you have peace of mind knowing that your family will not be put under any financial strain when you pass away.

However, for many a pre-paid funeral can be a financial strain in the present, which is why a pre-arranged funeral is the most appropriate option.

While funerals are a topic most of us like to avoid, planning a pre-paid funeral takes the burden away from your family at a very difficult time. Unfortunately, the death of a loved one not only puts an emotional strain on a family, but also financially too.

By investing in a pre-paid funeral you will ease the financial burden on your family, whilst allowing them to still take part in the planning process of your funeral. It will also provide you with the important peace of mind that your family will not have to worry about paying for your funeral, and also that your last wishes are carried out. Additionally, you are protected against inflation.

As members of the Australian Best Funeral Directors Adelaide Association, Minge Funerals complies with the Code of Good Practice (Ethics). In doing so, we conduct ourselves according to the obligations and responsibilities established by religious and professional leaders across the globe.

You can be assured that when you deal with our company, your money is in safe and secure hands. When you purchase a pre-paid funeral with Minge Funerals, it is protected under the ‘Prepaid Funeral Code of Practice’ within the Fair Trading Act. We adhere to strict guidelines and ensure your investment is taken care of by an approved investment manager.

The price of your pre-paid funeral is dependent on the type of funeral service you would like. Our consultants are with you every step of the way to ensure you make the right decision for you. They provide you with information and prices, as well as giving you a written quote to consider.

Additionally, the choice of paying by installment is available for all clients. We firstly require a deposit, and then you can choose to pay either fortnightly or monthly. Payment must be completed within three years of purchase.