Useful Information

Useful Funeral Information

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Funeral Notices

All Upcoming Notices

Assisting in Any Way Possible

Shakespeare Funerals has been delivering heartfelt memorial processes for people of all cultural and religious backgrounds in Dubbo since 1894. Throughout our more than 120 year history, we’ve learnt all about the ceremonial processes and legal requirements to consider when it comes to planning a funeral. Take a look through some of the useful information we’ve compiled below. For all enquires, get in touch with our team on (02) 6882 2434.

Burial & Cremation

Burying your loved one allows you to have a physical gravesite for their memorial and lets you feel close to them when you visit. Cremation, on the other hand, lets you scatter the ashes in places that were special to the departed. Choosing between these options is up to you and your family.

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Our Embalming Service

Ancient cultures practised embalming as a means of preserving the body for the afterlife. Nowadays, embalming is done to delay decomposition of the body for burial or cremation at a later date. It is also done to restore the appearance of the body for viewing or if they need to be repatriated.

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Religious & Cultural

At Shakespeare Funerals, we are proud to deliver memorial services for all religious and cultural groups. Our experienced funeral directors treat every client with respect and compassion. We would be honoured to put together a service for your departed.

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Death Away From Home

If your loved one has passed away interstate or overseas, we can organise repatriation services to get them home for funeral proceedings. Our team will:

  • Prepare required documents & permits
  • Translate documents if required
  • Prepare the deceased’s remains for transport through embalming or cremation
  • Organise airline transport requirements such as caskets, urns & outer shipping containers
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Q&A

  • Can we dress the deceased?

    You may like to choose a favourite piece of clothing for your loved one to be dressed in. The deceased can wear their own clothes, gown or a breasting (which is a head-to-toe dignity cover.) Your loved one’s hair and makeup will be done. Jewellery such as wedding and engagements rings can be placed on the deceased as well as rosary beads and other jewellery.

  • Can the funeral director stop me from viewing the deceased?

    Due to public health regulations, people carrying some infectious diseases are not able to be viewed. We work with the family to manage each situation on a case-by-case basis.

  • How do I make funeral arrangements?

    Shakespeare Funerals is here to ensure every detail is attended to as your family has requested. Our role is to guide the family through the arrangements in a caring and understanding manner. You can speak with us at our office or in your home, wherever you feel most comfortable. Specifically, the duties of a funeral director are to: 


    • Meet with and discuss the many aspects of the funeral with the family, setting out the various choices available and the costs involved.
    • Once the funeral arrangements are set, liaise with various organisations which may include clergy, cemetery, crematorium, hospital, doctor and service organisations to confirm arrangements. 
    • Arrange to collect the deceased from the place of death and prepare for viewing, place death and funeral notices in local and metropolitan newspapers, organise any family floral tributes, conduct the funeral on the day and time decided and finalise the necessary paperwork to ensure all legal requirements are met.
  • How much choice does the family have in funeral arrangements?

    The family has absolute choice with certain exceptions. In the case of a coronial investigation, some murder cases may only be given permission for a funeral by burial only. Our funeral directors can provide options to a family, but it is the family’s right to choose whatever they wish providing necessary legal requirements are met.

  • Is it compulsory to use a funeral director?

    A funeral director that has access to a mortuary and complies with the appropriate health regulations is necessary when dealing with a deceased person.

  • When does the coroner become involved?

    If the doctor is unable to certify the cause of death, it is necessary to contact the police, who then will liaise with coronial staff. This will be necessary in such instances as: 


    • Death other than by natural causes including violence, accidental or unusual causes. 
    • Whilst under anaesthetic (or within 24 hours of the administration of an anaesthetic). 
    • Unexpected death. 
    • Death of a person in an institution, a prison or in police custody, drug or alcohol rehabilitation centre. 
    • When the cause of death is unknown. 

    Coronial staff or a government appointed funeral company will transfer the deceased to the coroner. A post-mortem examination, also known as an autopsy, is a detailed examination conducted to establish the cause of death. This examination is carried out by a doctor known as a pathologist. We will then liaise with coronial staff regarding release of the deceased into our care.

  • How will I know I am receiving my loved one’s ashes and not anybody else’s?

    An identifying nameplate is placed on a coffin prior to cremation. Before cremation precedes, the nameplate is removed and used as a marker for the remains. The ashes of the deceased are then packaged appropriately for us to take back to our premises for the family to collect.

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