Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any further questions or need further assistance, please contact us.

Before we can transfer your loved one into our care, we must have a signed Life Extinct form or Medical Cause of Death (Form 9) certificate. If not already provided, you may call their doctor or palliative care nurse to arrange this. Once this paperwork is ready, please call us and our transfer team will attend. If death occurs in a hospital or nursing home, the medical staff will arrange the paperwork. You may provide instructions to the staff for us to be called when the time comes. *If the death has been sudden, unexpected, or due to a tragic accident, there may be a delay in arranging the funeral, as further investigations may be required by the coroner.

We will liaise with an approved funeral director located where the death occurred, to transfer your loved one into their care. We will then arrange for them to be transferred back to our facilities here on the Sunshine Coast.

Once authorised, the initial transfer is to our central mortuary in Buderim. Our professional and empathetic staff have many years’ experience caring for the deceased and preparing them for their funeral. They will then be transferred to the care of the branch where the service or cremation will take place. At Gregson & Weight we pride ourselves on the fact that we offer transfers from residences, hospitals, or nursing homes any time of the day or night, with no additional charges. Here on the Sunshine Coast we do not use third party transfer companies, our staff will perform the transfer and your loved one will always be in our care.

In Queensland, funeral homes must provide you with a written, itemised estimate of costs and terms of trading before you accept their service. At Gregson & Weight, you will always receive a written estimate with all inclusions listed, so there are no surprises.

A disbursement is a fee charged by a third party, which we pay on your behalf. Necessary disbursements include doctors’ fees for medical certificates, cremation fees, lodgement of the registration of death, cemetery and burial costs. There are also costs collected on behalf of other providers, such as florists, celebrants, churches, newspapers and caterers. We liaise with them on your behalf and only pass on the actual cost.

Having a Funeral Bond is an ideal way to put aside funds for your funeral expenses. You can invest a lump sum or make regular deposits over time and unlike funeral insurance, you are not locked into a contract to pay monthly premiums. You choose how much to invest, your money earns interest and the funds will always be there for your family, as once established it can only be released for funeral expenses. Also, an investment of up to $15,000 per person in a Funeral Bond assigned to a Funeral Director may be exempt from the Assets Test for Centrelink and DVA pensioners.

Our Funeral Director’s Professional Service Fee covers the many tasks and services involved in arranging, planning and conducting the funeral.  These tasks may include but are not limited to:

  • Guidance, expertise and genuine care from our team of experienced, professionally trained staff – available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
  • Transfer of your loved one from the place of death into our care
  • Provision of mortuary care by experienced and qualified staff, with embalming services as required
  • Making arrangements with the cemetery or crematorium
  • Liaising with clergy for church bookings
  • Assisting with choice of civil celebrant
  • Assistance with choice of coffins and urns
  • Liaising with florists, caterers, musicians and other service providers
  • Preparation of death and funeral notices in newspapers and on our website
  • Use of the chapel for viewings prior to the service
  • Providing the use of our chapel for the service, with our professional staff in attendance
  • Providing your choice of hearse from our fleet, with driver and local mileage included
  • Creating a photographic slideshow presentation to be shown at the service
  • Preparation of orders of service, memorial stationery and hardcover memorial books
  • Live-streaming the funeral service
  • Hosting your guests for refreshments in the tea room following the service
  • Submitting the registration of death
  • Providing certified copies of documents as required for solicitors, insurance agencies and banks
  • Providing assistance to claim Funeral Insurance or Funeral Bonds

Gregson & Weight offer a diverse range, from eco-friendly, sustainable wicker to dignified, elaborate caskets and custom-made coffins which can show your loved one’s personality. You can even design your own coffin, using  personal photos or football team colours.

The difference between coffins and caskets is their shape and style. Coffins are wider across the top and taper in towards the bottom, with handles on either side for carrying.  The lid of a coffin can be removed completely.  Caskets are rectangular and generally have an attached lid which can be opened for viewings or a split lid, which allows the upper half to be opened.

Choosing a coffin or casket  is very personal and you may need to consider the style of the funeral, budget and the wishes of the deceased.

In Queensland, all crematoriums require the deceased to be cremated in a combustible, leak-proof, rigid and covered container. This is for occupational health & safety reasons and to allow for the dignified handling of bodies. A coffin provides a respectful resting place for the body until the funeral and allows us to transport your loved one in a hearse and within our funeral chapel and crematorium with ease. You can place items of emotional value in with the deceased, such as photos, a soft toy or final notes of goodbye.

At Gregson & Weight we can help you make the funeral service as unique as the life you are celebrating.

Why not add a personal touch by displaying items which truly represent your loved one’s life – sporting equipment, trophies, awards & certificates, photos, favourite clothing, artwork or arts & craft. We’ve even had people bring in saddles, hats and cowboy boots, so think about what was important in their life and talk to our staff how we can help make the service very special.

An Order of Service is a small, printed booklet given out at the service, listing the parts of the funeral service in the order they will happen, including the eulogy and any poems, prayers or songs.  Our staff  prepare the Orders of Service and include any photos, quotes or personal messages you would like to share.  You can also include details of the wake, if you are having one and any donations to charity. People can take the Order of Service home with them and it is a nice keepsake to remember your loved one.

Playing someone’s favourite music is a great way to remember their personality and relive occasions that meant so much.  Music can be played before the service, during the photo tribute and as everyone is leaving. We even have room for musicians to set up if you would like them to play live at the service.  Don’t worry if you don’t have a copy of the recordings to be played during the service, our staff will assist with this.

Releasing doves or butterflies is a way of adding a special touch to a funeral or memorial service. Doves are a symbol of love, peace and hope.  Once released, the doves will soar into the sky before returning to their home, symbolising the spirit on its final journey.

Whilst black or dark coloured clothing is traditionally worn to a funeral, it is no longer considered essential.   You might like to ask your family & friends to come in a colourful Hawaiian shirt or dress up for the occasion in your loved one’s favourite colour.

Photo tributes may provide some lighthearted relief and are a great way of remembering the past.  Gregson & Weight staff will prepare the tribute using your photos which can be provided as hard copies, on a USB or emailed to us. Those who can’t attend in person will be able to view the photos on the livestream of the service.

 

Digital Photographic Tribute books are a new way to memorialise your loved one in a modern format.  Gregson & Weight can create a moving, visual tribute set to your favourite music.  If desired, a recording of the funeral service can also be included.  Easily rechargeable via USB cable, the digital tribute book can be viewed over and over again.

All funeral services can be live streamed from our website and viewed by those unable to attend. The recordings are kept indefinitely on our website tribute centre and can be viewed again or downloaded to your own device.  The recordings include the tribute videos or slideshows prepared for the service.

Family members and friends can view a Gregson & Weight funeral service, by going to www.gregsonweight.com.au.  Click on the “Funeral Streaming” tab and use the search bar to find the surname. Once selected, the person’s name and photograph will appear on the screen, with details of when the stream will commence. Generally, the cameras will turn on a few minutes prior to the service.  The live stream will commence automatically at the scheduled time.  If you are watching at a later time you will need to press the play button/icon.

You can also leave a message of condolence, which can be seen by anyone viewing the page, by clicking on the “Add Comment” button and typing your message.

Caloundra

5 Gregson Place Caloundra
QLD 4551

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Nambour

 

34 National Park Road Nambour
QLD 4560

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Buderim

 

159 Wises Road Buderim
QLD 4558

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Noosaville

 

202 Eumundi-Noosa Rd Noosaville
QLD 4566

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