More information

• What to do immediately after a loved one passes away?

  • The first thing we suggest is that you call someone to be with you, your partner, family member or friend as you will be feeling a great sense of shock and grief. If a loved one has passed away at home, ask them to call your family doctor. They’ll sign the death certificate, which is needed by law.

    We’re here to help.

    Please call us on 02 9545 4677 to discuss the way you would like to remember your loved one at Woronora Memorial Park.

• Who should be notified?

  • As well as close relatives and friends, many other people and organisations will be affected by your loved one’s passing. Here’s our handy checklist of other people you might need to notify.
    
    • Australian Tax Office
    • Doctor/Accountant/Dentist/Chemist
    • Banks/Building Societies/Credit Unions
    • Credit Card Providers
    • Insurance Companies
    • Superannuation Fund
    • Centrelink/Medicare
    • Electricity/Gas/Telephone Companies
    • Electoral Office
    • Solicitor and/or Public Trustee
    • RTA (car registration/driver’s license)
    • Home Nursing Service/Meals on Wheels
    • Landlord or Housing Authority
    • Clubs/Service Organisations
    • Veteran’s Affairs

• How soon can a funeral take place?

  • Depending on your wishes and if there are no concerns regarding sudden or accidental death, a funeral can happen within several days.

• The difference between cremation and burial

  • Quite simply, burial is when the casket is lowered into the ground. At Woronora Memorial Park, we offer a choice of beautifully landscaped lawns where you can remember your loved one with a personalised plaque or headstone. You can also have their casket and remains memorialised in our Stations of the Cross site, or in one of our magnificent Gardens of the Pieta crypts.

    For cremations, ashes are created from both casket and the life to be remembered in our state of the art facilities. You can then memorialise your loved one in one of our many beautiful landscaped gardens.

• Practical considerations

  • There are many things to consider including highly individual ways to celebrate your loved one’s life. To make it easier to plan, here is a simple checklist for you to follow.

    • Would you prefer burial or cremation?
    • What day and time suits you and your extended family best?
    • Did your loved one have special wishes in their Will?
    • Would you like your ceremony in one of our private chapels performed by your choice of minister, priest or celebrant?
    • Who will advise details of the funeral in public notices?
    • What sort of casket do you prefer?
    • Who will carry the casket on the day?
    • Would you like a viewing of your loved one?
    • Who will lead the service? Choices include a family member, friend, clergy or celebrant?
    • Who will deliver eulogies?
    • What sort of music and / or video tributes would you like to commemorate your loved one?
    • Do you want readings or prayers during the service?
    • What flowers if any would you prefer?
    • Do you want to request donations to a charity in lieu of flowers?
    • Would you like the service to be recorded?
    • Do you want any special personal tributes – balloons, doves, guard of honour from a club or organisation?
    • Would you like refreshments after the service?
• After-funeral function

  • For special memories and moments together, Celeste Cafe and Function Centre is a delightful meeting place for your after-funeral function. Enjoy light refreshments in private, fully serviced rooms or talk to them to arrange additional catering.
    
    Located just within our main gates, Celeste Cafe and Function Centre offers you a beautiful way to look after your guests. Parking is available at the Celeste Cottage car-park and surrounding Woronora grounds.
    
    To reserve your group booking, please call Celeste Cafe and Function Centre directly on 02 9889 8455 or email bookings@celestecatering.com.au.

• Memorialisation options

  • At Woronora Cemetery, we specialise in memorialisation or permanent ways to remember your loved one in a truly magnificent setting.
    
    We consult with you to choose the perfect memorial, considering spiritual beliefs, age, traditions and personality and create special ways to link your family together for generations to come.
    
    To see our extensive and beautiful memorial options that you can visit all year round, please speak to our caring staff to arrange an appointment.

• Viewings

  • This very personal decision is your choice. It can help you and your family say your final goodbyes, offering a sense of closure and peace, as well as a quiet time to reflect on someone’s life. Talk to your Funeral Director about a viewing in one of our private chapels.

• Passing away of a child

  • Nothing compares to the grief of losing a child and at Woronora, we offer compassionate care and deep understanding. Our two beautiful memorial sites created just for children are very special places for siblings and family to remember a greatly treasured little spirit who has passed.
    
    Our Garden of Angels is a fragrant place to say goodbye to a baby lost during pregnancy or stillbirth. Karinya offers a beautiful resting place for very special children aged 0 to 12.
    
    Find out more about our memorials for children here.