Australian funeral glossary

Aquamation(Alkaline hydrolysis)

Water-based dissolution of the body using a heated alkaline solution. Produces a similar end product to flame cremation with ~90% less energy use. Legal in Victoria only as at May 2026.

Burial

Placement of the body in the ground, traditionally in a coffin or casket, in a cemetery section permitting interment. Around 30% of Australian funerals in 2026.

Cremation

Reduction of the body to bone fragments through high-temperature combustion in a crematorium retort. Bone is then mechanically processed to a fine powder ("ashes") and returned to the family. Around 70% of Australian funerals.

Direct cremation

Cremation without a funeral service. The deceased is collected, refrigerated, cremated within 3-5 days and ashes returned. Cheapest disposal option in Australia ($2,500-$5,000). Sometimes called "no service no attendance" (NSNA).

Double-depth grave

A single grave plot prepared to a depth that allows two coffins to be interred in sequence. Common in NSW and Victoria. Cheaper per body than two single plots; both interments must be in the same plot.

Exhumation

Lawful removal of buried remains from a grave. Requires a state-issued exhumation permit. Rare; typically for re-interment elsewhere, coronial investigation or family relocation.

Interment

The placement of remains, whether body or cremated ashes, into a grave, vault, niche or columbarium. Distinct from burial in that it includes ash interment, not just full-body burial.

Natural burial

Burial in a dedicated natural section using a biodegradable container, without embalming, in a way that allows native vegetation to re-establish. Genuine natural burial requires four conditions; see /natural-burial/.

Repatriation

Transport of the deceased back to their country of origin for burial or cremation. Australian providers typically charge $8,000-$25,000 plus embassy paperwork; turnaround 10-21 days.

Celebrant

Civil officiant who conducts a non-religious or interfaith funeral service. Authorised under the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth). Typical fee $400-$900. Distinct from religious clergy.

Cortège

The procession of vehicles accompanying the hearse from the funeral location to the cemetery or crematorium. Traditional in Catholic and many other faith traditions. May include family limousine, official cars and accompanying private vehicles.

Eulogy

Speech delivered at the funeral service in memory of the deceased. Traditionally given by a close family member or friend; can be shared between several speakers. The celebrant typically introduces and may close the eulogies.

Funeral service

A ceremony to mark the death, conducted before or in conjunction with the burial or cremation. Typically held in a chapel, church or graveside. Includes eulogy, music, religious or secular readings.

Hearse

Specialised vehicle that transports the coffin to and from the funeral service and to the cemetery or crematorium. Operated by the funeral director.

Memorial service

A ceremony to mark the death held without the body present. Often weeks or months after the death, allowing family to gather. Can follow a direct cremation or be in addition to a private burial.

Pallbearer

Person who helps carry the coffin into or out of the funeral service or to the graveside. Traditionally six pallbearers from family or close friends. Funeral directors can provide professional pallbearers if the family prefers.

Viewing

Private opportunity for family or close friends to see the deceased before the funeral service. Usually at the funeral home. Refrigeration is sufficient for viewing within 3-5 days; embalming may be requested for longer delays.

Vigil

Watching over the body before burial or cremation, traditionally overnight. Important in Catholic, Orthodox and Indigenous Australian traditions. May be held at the funeral home, church or family home.

Wake

A gathering of family and friends after the funeral service, typically with food and refreshments. The word originally referred to the all-night vigil over the body before burial; in modern Australian usage it usually means the post-funeral gathering.

Casket

Rectangular container for the body, usually with a hinged half-lid for viewing. North American convention; less common but increasingly available in Australia. Generally more expensive than a coffin.

Coffin

Six-sided tapered container for the body, broader at the shoulders and narrower at the head and foot. Traditional Australian and British form. Distinct from a casket (rectangular).

Columbarium

Structure (often a wall or freestanding tower) containing many niches for the interment of cremated ashes. Common in modern cemeteries and crematoria.

Cremated remains

Formal term for the ashes returned after cremation. Around 2-3 kg of bone fragment processed to fine powder. Legally treated as the property of whoever is identified on the cremation authority.

Headstone

Vertical stone monument marking a grave, traditionally at the head of the plot. Inscribed with name, dates and any chosen epitaph. $1,500-$5,000 for a standard headstone; more for elaborate granite or marble.

Monument

Any permanent above-ground memorial structure on a grave – headstone, full kerbing, ledger, sculpture, family vault. Subject to cemetery design and material rules. Family vaults can exceed $50,000.

Niche

Recess in a wall designed to hold an urn of cremated ashes. Sealed with a plaque. Niches are individual or family-sized.

Plaque

Flat memorial plate, usually bronze or granite, set into the ground or a memorial wall. Used in lawn cemeteries, niche walls and natural burial sites. $400-$1,200.

Shroud

Cloth wrapping for the body used in place of a coffin. Common in Muslim, some Hindu and some Jewish traditions, and increasingly in natural burial. Materials: cotton, calico, linen, wool.

Urn

Container holding cremated ashes. Materials: brass, ceramic, wood, biodegradable. Released to the family typically 2-3 weeks after cremation. Family can choose to inter, scatter or keep at home.

Cemetery trust

Statutory or non-profit body that manages a cemetery on behalf of its community or the state. Examples: GMCT (Vic), SMCT (Vic), CMCT (NSW Catholic), Centennial Park Cemetery Authority (SA).

Crematorium

Facility containing one or more cremation retorts, typically with an associated chapel, viewing area and refrigeration. Operated by a cemetery authority, council or private operator.

Crown Lands cemetery

Cemetery on land vested in the Crown in right of a state. Most major NSW metropolitan cemeteries operate on Crown Lands under a trust manager. The Crown retains underlying ownership.

Crypt

Single above-ground or partially-buried burial vault. Forms part of a mausoleum or stands alone. Significantly more expensive than a lawn grave ($15,000-$50,000+).

Exclusive right of burial

Older term for an interment right. The right is to be buried in (or have a family member buried in) the specific plot; not ownership of the land itself.

General cemetery

Traditional cemetery layout with full upright monuments, kerbing and elaborate stonework permitted. Higher maintenance cost; the heritage character is the main appeal.

Interment right

Legal right to use a specific cemetery plot, vault or niche. Either perpetual (forever) or renewable (typically 25 or 50 years, with the option for family to renew). NSW shifted to renewable as the default for new burials in 2013.

Lair

Traditional Scottish-Australian term for a burial plot. Still used in some older cemetery records, particularly in Tasmania and South Australia.

Lawn cemetery

Modern cemetery layout where graves are level with the ground, with only a flush plaque permitted as a monument. Easier maintenance, lower cost. Most Australian cemeteries opened post-1950 are lawn-style.

Mausoleum

Above-ground building containing burial vaults for one or more bodies. Catholic-tradition cemeteries (CMCT) operate large mausoleum complexes; rare in lawn cemeteries.

Perpetual maintenance

Component of the cemetery fee covering long-term upkeep of the grave and surrounding area (mowing, paths, fencing). Some cemeteries charge separately; others include it in the plot price. Required by most state Cemeteries and Crematoria Acts.

AFDA(Australian Funeral Directors Association)

Largest national peak body for Australian funeral directors. Members commit to a Code of Professional Conduct including pricing disclosure and ethical handling.

Source: afda.org.au

Embalming

Preservation of the body using formaldehyde-based fluid injected into the circulatory system. Not legally required for any Australian funeral. Used for long-delay viewings, international repatriation and some traditional services.

FDAA(Funeral Directors Association of Australia)

Second national peak body. Smaller membership than AFDA. Member commitment includes a code of conduct and continuing professional development.

Funeral director

Person or firm engaged to manage the practical and administrative aspects of a funeral – body collection, preparation, documentation, coordination with cemetery or crematorium, chapel arrangement. Industry self-regulated; not a licensed profession in most states.

InvoCare

Listed Australian funeral services corporation (formerly ASX:IVC, taken private by TPG Capital in 2023). Operates branded local funeral homes nationally including White Lady Funerals, Simplicity Funerals, Le Pine, Tobin Brothers. Corporate ownership is often not obvious from brand.

Mortician

Older term, more common in North American usage, for a person who prepares bodies for burial or cremation. In Australian usage usually interchangeable with funeral director.

Mortuary

Refrigerated facility where bodies are held between death and the funeral service. Operated by funeral directors, hospitals or the state Coroner. Standard temperature 4°C; lower for extended holding.

NFDA(National Funeral Directors Association)

Older industry association in transition; many members now affiliate through AFDA or state bodies.

Propel Funeral Partners

Listed Australian funeral services corporation (ASX:PFP). Operates a portfolio of branded local funeral homes nationally. Second-largest corporate group after InvoCare.

Refrigeration

Cooling of the body to slow decomposition. Required by state legislation in most states once the body is held more than 24-48 hours. Standard mortuary holding method; preferred over embalming for natural burial.

Cemeteries and Crematoria Act

Generic name for the state-level Act governing cemetery operations, interment rights and crematoria. NSW 2013, Vic 2003, SA 2013, Qld various. Each state has its own version.

Coroner

State judicial officer who investigates unexpected, unnatural or unexplained deaths. Coronial cases delay the issuing of the death certificate and the release of the body. Funeral may need to be deferred or held without the body present.

Cremation permit

State authorisation required before cremation can proceed. Confirms identity, cause of death, no objection from family or coroner. Issued by the state Department of Health or equivalent.

Death certificate

Official record of the death issued by the state Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages following registration. Required for estate administration, super claims, Centrelink notification. $60-$100 per certified copy.

Funeral Funds Act 1979 (NSW)

NSW legislation governing pre-paid funeral funds, requiring trustee separation of consumer payments from funeral director balance sheets. Equivalent legislation in SA, Vic, Qld with different titles.

Medical certificate of cause of death(MCCOD)

Document issued by the attending doctor or hospital identifying the cause of death. Required before burial or cremation can proceed. Issued within 1-3 days of death where the cause is clear.

40-day memorial

Greek and Russian Orthodox memorial service held 40 days after death. Important continuing observance after the funeral. Followed by 3-month, 6-month, 9-month and annual memorials. Many Greek Orthodox cemeteries facilitate these.

Cremation as preferred rite

Many Hindu and Buddhist traditions consider cremation the preferred or required disposal method. Around 70% of Australians choose cremation overall; this rises to near 100% for some communities.

Ghusl

Islamic ritual washing of the body before burial. Performed by family members or community members of the same gender. Burial within 24 hours where practical; shroud only, no coffin where the local cemetery permits.

Sky burial

Tibetan Buddhist tradition where the body is exposed to nature on a mountainside. Not practiced in Australia; mentioned here only to clarify it is not an available option.

Sorry business

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practice surrounding death, including extended community mourning, ceremonial obligations and naming restrictions. Funeral directors with Indigenous cultural training are sensitive to these protocols.

Tahara

Jewish ritual washing and dressing of the body before burial, performed by the chevra kadisha (burial society). Burial traditionally within 24 hours of death where possible. No embalming, no cremation, simple wooden coffin.