When a person dies in a private residence, a nursing home, a public or a private hospital;
their attending doctor will sign a Cause of Death certificate, providing that doctor has either been responsible for the deceased's care immediately prior to their death, or has seen them within 3 months of their passing, or has viewed their body within 48 hours of their death.
If the doctor is not willing to sign, then the death will be reported to the coroner.
Once a death has been verified, the family is able to contact Rosedale Funerals and your funeral director will make arrangements to bring your loved one into our care, or will guide you through the coronial process.

At some time in life, everyone will experience the loss of someone close. The absolute grief, confusion and numbness that accompany the news of a death can sometimes make decisions, regarding funeral arrangements, difficult and stressful.

We understand that this is a deeply personal and private time when sensitivity to the memory of a loved one and the feelings of families are paramount.

Our role is to answer the many questions that will arise and guide families through arrangements to create a loving and final tribute to best honour the life of their loved one.

At Rosedale Funerals there are many elements involved in providing the best service possible to our families:

• Provide 24 hour service and attention 365 days of the year.
• Provide a private transfer vehicle for the transfer of the deceased.
• Have a full knowledge of the legal requirements for burial, cremation and exhumation, to complete all necessary documentation, including obtaining medical papers, doctors certificates, cremation permits, burial authorities, coronial clearance and registration of the death.
• Liase with the Doctor's clinic, hospital or the Coroner's office on behalf of the family.
• Interpret correctly the needs, wishes and feelings of the deceased’s loved ones to ensure these are met, liaise with the relevant clergy and/or civil celebrant to coordinate for the funeral.
• Arrange and conduct the funeral. To facilitate this we provide trained staff, private conference facilities and prestige funeral vehicles.
• Ensure that the dignity of both the deceased and their loved ones is preserved at all times.
• Carry out work professionally, with sensitivity, empathy and understanding.
• Supply the national flag where appropriate, the Last Post, selections from a large library of music and attend to the ordering of floral tributes, collection of floral cards, placement of newspaper notices and guiding pallbearers.
• Provide funeral care, which extends beyond the funeral. If required, we are able to present a range of memorial urns for your consideration.
• Finally, we consider that being able to assist in educating the community in matters of funerals, grief and bereavement is part of the privilege of funeral directing.

Sometimes there is a need for Police involvement, especially for accidental, unexplained or unexpected death. The Police will notify the Coroner, who acts on behalf of the deceased to determine the cause of their death. An autopsy many be required.

Rosedale Funerals will be in communication with the Coroner during this time and shall keep the family informed.

With the increased movement of people around the world it is important to know what to do in the case of a death occurring interstate or overseas. Rosedale Funerals specialises in this area so you can rely on our experience to make the appropriate arrangements through our network of associated funeral homes both around the country and around the world.

Similarly, some nationalities within our community prefer to return relatives to their homeland for burial. This can involve time-consuming preparation including liaising with various departments of the Australian government as well as the Consular officials of their country of origin. Our funeral directors can organise the arrangements and administer the documentation required by the relevant authorities.

If your loved one dies while you are away from home we are able to take them into our care until your return. Pre-arrangements can also be made with our funeral directors.

Registration of the death is the responsibility of the funeral director. In order to complete the documentation we need to know the following:

• Full names of the deceased
• Residential address
• Date and place of death
• Date and place of birth
• If born overseas, what was the year of arrival in Australia.
• Occupation of the deceased
• Marital status
• Marriage details
• Parents’ full names and occupations
• Maiden name of the mother of the deceased
• Names, dates of birth and ages of children, living and deceased

The death can not be registered until the day of the funeral and a death certificate will be released by BDMs within 2-3weeks.

When the coroner is involved in your loved one's death, the process is a little different and can be more involved, but our funeral directors will explain these procedures to you and will assist and guide you through the process.

Any person is able to lead a funeral service. Most often, families choose a minister of religion or a civil celebrant. Our funeral directors are able to assist in locating the best person to suit your family’s needs.

A close friend or family member can certainly fulfil this role if they are comfortable doing so.

Rosedale Funerals is conscious of the environmental challenges our community faces. We endeavour to reduce our footprint by recycling plastic water bottles, using LCD lighting and using recycled paper products.

Though in South Australia Balloon Releases are not illegal, they are considered littering, and fines can be imposed.

We are conscious of the emotional significance releasing balloons can have at a funeral. Therefore, we encourage your family to use other symbolic gestures at funerals such as blowing bubbles, releasing doves or butterflies or perhaps giving a living gift such as flower seeds or a sapling to plant.

Static balloon displays can add a cheerful touch of colour and can be an uplifting distraction.

Our funeral directors are happy to discuss other environmentally friendly tribute options with you.

People often find the task of writing and performing a eulogy quite daunting, but it can be a wonderful way to remember a loved-one and share some special memories. It can also be an important part of the healing process. It is an honour to be chosen to deliver a eulogy. It means your family or loved ones believe you are capable and know the deceased well enough to write something meaningful. With the right preparation, you can create a memorable experience for everyone present and make it less traumatic for you.

View our Eulogy Writing Tips

At a time of loss, many people find it helpful to create special tributes to their loved ones, as a way of remembering and celebrating their life, and as part of the healing process. A Family Tribute USB is a compilation of photographs carefully put together with music that is special and relevant to your loved one’s life. It can be a stirring remembrance of their life’s journey and a moving pictorial homage that involves the memories, people and places that helped shape their life. If you would like to include this in your service or would like more information about how they are created, please contact us.

Technology enables us to communicate with family and friends in an instant, by texting, emailing etc.

If you prefer not to have a newspaper  notice, we can still provide the details of the funeral service on our website. Your consultant can also provide a link to the website via a text or an email, enabling you to share the information with friends that you may not have the time to call.

It is Rosedale Funerals hope to provide every family with an opportunity to personally say goodbye, which is both meaningful and healing.

Our intimate private chapel or viewing room is available for those who wish to ‘view’ their loved one.

We understand that people may be a little apprehensive, however this can be a very positive experience, especially when family members may not have been able to say goodbye in person.

It can also be comforting, after prolonged illness, to see the person is at rest and no longer suffering.

A viewing can re-affirm that the death has occurred, especially if it has been sudden or away from home.

This can also be an opportunity for family members to express their personal sentiments.

It can be of special assistance to children who may be experiencing the loss of a family member for the first time.

A comfortable environment is important for the viewing to be of most benefit to everyone who attends.

You may choose this opportunity to play a selected piece of music, light a candle or write words of farewell to express your feelings which can then be placed in with your loved one.

Choice of clothing can also be very important. Often a favourite personal outfit is chosen and Rosedale Funerals is happy to assist family members who would like to be involved in the final dressing of their loved one.

Unfortunately, there are times when a viewing is not an option, and in such circumstances, a time can still be arranged when family and close friends come come and spend time with your loved one in a closed coffin.

Our funeral directors will openly discuss all options with you, to assist your family in the best way suitable.

Sometimes as adults, and in an attempt to protect our little ones from the pain and hurt that is associated with death and funerals, we inadvertently hurt them, by preventing them the opportunity to say goodbye.

At Rosedale Funerals, we believe that it is important for children to see that it is okay to be sad when someone we love has died, and to learn that you can also be happy too.

Children are always welcome at funerals and sometimes are even given a role to play as part of the funeral service, whether that be sharing some words or singing a song, lighting a candle or just drawing a picture to sit on the coffin.

There are some families, however, who may feel their children are too young to understand or participate fully.

Other families don't bring their children to the funeral service itself, but allow them to join in the wake or refreshments part of the Celebration of Life.

You know your children better than anyone and you are encouraged to discuss your family's loss and how this effects your children, with them.

This can certainly be done. Our consultant can help with suggestions to create a coffin that is unique and personal – something that holds special meaning for your loved one and also significance for your family and friends who knew them well and shared in their life.

You may like to have a theme – such as sailing, fishing, cycling, travelling or fun family times. A wide range of colours can be used, special meaningful words, a poem, lyrics from a song perhaps and photos especially. You may even find the time spent in planning and designing as therapeutic.

Please be mindful of the extra time that is needed to create your personalised coffin.

Another option is for a plain coffin to be "decorated" as part of the funeral service.
Often a significant song is played while family and friends come forward and write Messages of Love on the coffin of their loved one.

Our funeral directors can discuss these options in more detail with you.