FAQ's

At Great Lakes Funerals, we provide complete funeral services across Forster, Tuncurry and the wider Great Lakes region. Our offerings include traditional burials, cremations, celebration of life services, pre-planning, memorials, live-streaming, and guidance with paperwork and certification. Each service is individually designed to reflect the personality and wishes of your loved one, ensuring a farewell that feels authentic and meaningful.

Funeral costs vary depending on the type of service, venue, coffin selection, and personal choices such as flowers or catering. We believe in full transparency; our pricing guide and itemised estimates are available upon request, in line with NSW Fair Trading regulations. We’ll walk you through options to create a beautiful, respectful farewell that suits your needs and budget without compromising quality.

We offer a range of burial options in local cemeteries and churchyards across Forster, Tuncurry and surrounding towns. Our team can assist with burial plots, graveside ceremonies, headstone enquiries and service coordination. Whether you prefer a traditional burial or a more personalised graveside farewell, we’ll manage all details with care and respect.

Our cremation services are designed to be dignified, personal and flexible.
Families can choose between a full service prior to cremation, a memorial service after cremation, or a private, family-only gathering. We also assist with urn selection, ash scattering, and memorial placement, ensuring your choices reflect your loved one’s wishes.

Yes, we offer professional livestream funeral services for families who can’t attend in person.
Our team sets up all the equipment and provides a secure link for online viewing. This ensures that friends and relatives around Australia or overseas can join in real time and feel part of the celebration, no matter where they are.

When a loved one passes, contact Great Lakes Funerals as soon as possible. We’ll guide you through each step from transfer and documentation to arranging the funeral service itself. We liaise with doctors, hospitals and cemeteries on your behalf, allowing you to focus on family and remembrance while we handle the practical details.

In NSW, funerals are typically held between 3 and 7 days after death, depending on personal, cultural and legal factors.
At Great Lakes Funerals, we help coordinate all arrangements promptly, ensuring the service date works for family members and venues, while still allowing time to plan a meaningful tribute.

Yes, our Forster funeral home provides comfortable facilities for services, private viewings, and family gatherings. Our spaces are designed for reflection and connection, with the option to include music, video tributes, and personal decorations. We can also arrange ceremonies at local churches, gardens or community venues in the Great Lakes area.

Yes. Great Lakes Funerals assists families needing repatriation within Australia or overseas.
We coordinate all transport logistics, legal paperwork, and liaison with airlines, embassies, and other funeral homes to ensure your loved one is returned or transferred with dignity and care. Whether you need to bring someone home to the Great Lakes region or arrange a service elsewhere, our experienced team manages every step with professionalism and compassion.

Yes.. We encourage families to make each farewell deeply personal. Loved ones can give readings, perform music, light candles, or share memories during the ceremony. Our celebration of life services are all about participation, ensuring the day truly reflects the life lived.

Yes. Great Lakes Funerals offers environmentally conscious options, including eco-friendly coffins, biodegradable urns and natural burial choices where available.
We can also suggest venues that align with sustainability values and advise on local council guidelines for eco burials in the Great Lakes area.

Essential documents include a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, a Death Certificate, and burial or cremation authorisations. Our team handles all paperwork and liaises with registries and local authorities to ensure every requirement is met efficiently, allowing you to focus on family and remembrance.

Yes, pre-planning is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family.
Through our Pre-Planning Service, we help you make important decisions ahead of time, record your wishes, and ensure your arrangements are ready when needed. This provides peace of mind and relieves stress for your loved ones later on.

Our celebration of life funerals include a personalised ceremony that focuses on joy, storytelling and gratitude rather than sorrow alone. You can include photo slideshows, music, readings, symbolic gestures, and customised décor. Every detail is guided by your family’s preferences, creating a service that feels uniquely special.

At Great Lakes Funerals, our care doesn’t end when the service does. We offer follow-up support, grief resources, and assistance with memorial planning and documentation. We can connect you with local grief support networks in Forster, Tuncurry and the Mid North Coast, ensuring families continue to receive compassionate help in the weeks and months that follow.