Is the advertised price the final price?
Yes. We’re aware that the funeral industry has a reputation for hidden fees and charges. With Lyons Cremation, the price you see is the price you pay.
Do I have to pay upfront?
Yes, In order to keep our fee’s low we do require payments up-front
What do I do after my loved one has passed?
The first thing to do is contact our Customer Care team (we’re available 24/7). On speaking with your dedicated concierge, they will take some brief details and talk you through the process, along with answering any questions you might have. Their role is to make your life just a little bit easier, and so they will do everything they can to make the funeral arrangement process as simple as possible. Once we have those initial details, we’ll transfer your loved one into our care and begin the process of arranging a cremation. We’ll guide you through the paperwork that must be completed, and keep you constantly informed of what’s happening with your loved one.
What to do when a death occurs?
Our Customer Care Team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to take your call and answer any questions you may have.
In the majority of cases, a death will occur while your loved ones are in hospitals, nursing homes, aged care facilities etc. The staff in these facilities will assist you with the first steps and preliminary information.
In the case of unexpected or suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, the police will need to be notified. Where a doctor isn’t prepared to sign the Death Certificate, then the Coroners will become involved and they will need to transfer your loved one into their care.
What if the Coroner is involved?
A Coroner will become involved when there are unexpected or suspicious circumstances surrounding a death.
What statutory forms do I need?
At the time of death you will be required to complete some statutory forms. This can be completed online by clicking here.
What is a direct cremation?
A direct cremation, also known as a bare cremation, is a non-attended cremation without an accompanying formal funeral ceremony. The no-frills, more affordable cremation doesn’t require a funeral director to be involved in a service.
The service happens without a viewing of the deceased. Our cremation service includes communication with an experienced funeral arranger, a private cremation, return of ashes and death certificate, all without compromising on quality service and care.
Does the cremation take place immediately?
No. There are important documents that have to be gathered and verified first. You must have a death certificate, a consent form, and other documents. These things don’t take long to complete, so the cremation can occur within a few days.
Is more than one person cremated at the same time?
No. This is strictly prohibited.
How hot does the cremation chamber get?
Cremation takes place at temperatures between 2000 – 2500 degrees Celsius. The intense heat reduces the body to dried bone fragments and ash.
Why purchase a cremation online?
Lyon’s Cremations offer a service allowing you to purchase your cremation online, saving you time and money. We are confident that booking through us, online, is the cheapest way to secure a cremation in Melbourne, and with the added assurance of the cremation happening in Victoria.
What is cremation? What is the cremation process?
Cremation is a process where the deceased body is burned, ending with the body transformed into ashes, able to fit into a small urn. Cremations are environmentally friendly and offer more freedom than being buried. The ashes can be interred with a memorial plaque if required, or they can be retained by the family of the deceased for the family to keep or scatter as they see fit.
What about Metal Objects?
After the cremation is complete the remains are all removed from the chamber and cooled. The cooled remains are inspected for remnants of metal and these are removed by hand or with a large magnet. A special processor then grinds the remaining fragments into cremated remains, or ashes.
Does the coffin get cremated with the body?
The coffin or casket is cremated with the body during the cremation process. A body is never placed into the chamber on its own. The body is placed in the coffin or casket and once prepared the coffin is inserted into the chamber via a sliding tray or rack. Coffins or caskets are never reused. Depending on the style of coffin handles that do not combust will be removed prior to entering the chamber.
How long after cremation are ashes ready?
Once the body has been cremated the remaining calcified bone fragments known as ashes are collected and allowed to cool down, sometimes with the assistance of an instruction fan to speed the process. Once cooled, the ashes are processed in a special grinder that turns the ashes into cremains which are ready to be placed into a container or urn. There will then be labelling, documentation and procedures to follow as per the crematorium’s regulations. Most crematoriums have a 48-hour turn-around time for collection of ashes as standard. Some crematoriums offer 24-hour processing of ashes and may charge an extra fee for this.
How much do the ashes weigh?
A container of adult human ashes can be heavier than expected. Unlike a box of wood ashes, an average container of human cremains weighs between 1.3 Kg to 4kg kilograms and is denser due to bone fragments. This weight can depend on the person’s body size, the container used throughout the cremation and the process used by the crematorium.
What do the ashes look like?
Cremated remains are called “ashes” and despite the name are primarily calcified bone fragments which are ground into a dust. The appearance is a pale to dark grey colour, with a similar texture to coarse sand compared to the expectation of wood ash.
How much does a cremation cost?
The average cost of cremation differs by State within Australia. On average, the cost of a cremation ranges between $800 and $1,700. It is important to remember that this cost is only for the cremation itself and you will need to allow for other fees.
- The cost of the cremation being conducted
- Vehicles and transfers
- Mortuary care
- Preparing the cremated remains
- Memorialisation and location
- Funeral Ceremony and location hire
- Funeral director
Where can I scatter ashes?
When considering where to scatter your loved one’s ashes reflect with your family on the type of person they were, what they enjoyed, where their passions lay and places they loved (or would have loved) to visit. Ultimately the possibilities are as endless and unique as the person being remembered.
Some ideas include:
- Parks, wetlands or bushlands
- Beaches, lakes or water
- Your backyard
- Their hometown
- The cemetery or near another loved one’s burial site
- Aerial scattering, skydiving plane, drone or fireworks
- Public property or private property
- Tree or trenching burial
When deciding where to scatter ashes also consider whether the location is somewhere you will be able to return to for visits, or if it’s likely the land will be changed for development.
Do you need permission to scatter human ashes?
Some locations like private property will require permission from owners to scatter ashes. In Victoria, in public areas state and local councils do not generally require you to arrange a permit to scatter ashes, however there are exceptions to this. Local council and other public bodies have varying requirements concerning the disposal of ashes, with some having no formal policy. If you are considering scattering ashes, it is always safest to research the area first.
Can you take ashes overseas to scatter?
A common question asked by families is “can you take cremation ashes on a plane?” The answer is yes, with a few regulations. For example, Virgin Australia’s policy states that “cremated remains in the form of ashes may be stored in carry-on or checked baggage but must be shipped in funeral urns which are effectively cushioned against breakage by suitable packaging. The ashes must be contained in a sealed container (urn) of such construction that there can be no risk of accidental spillage.” It is encouraged to have a letter from a funeral director to verify the ashes to pass through security screening. If unsure about further policies check with the airline before you book the flight.
Each country also has different requirements for bringing in cremated remains. You need to check with that country’s embassy or government website for specific rules and regulations surrounding. Research this well ahead of your trip as you may need to obtain specific letters and documentation from both the Funeral Director and Crematorium.
Should I buy an urn?
This is another decision that is completely up to you. Cremation providers will offer a simple container for your loved one’s ashes following completion of the process.
Can I view the cremation?
This depends on the provider. Some providers have viewing rooms where family members can gather and watch part of the process. It can bring closure to certain people. It’s not always an option so you will want to discuss this with the cremation provider before confirming your choice.
Melbourne
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0432 240 766
