Many families choose direct cremation because it offers a simpler and more flexible way to say goodbye. Decisions about a memorial can be made later, when it feels right for you and those around you.
Direct cremation is often a farewell without a formal service or attendance at the time
What’s included in our direct cremation service?
Bringing your loved one into our care during business hours
Completion and lodgement of required paperwork
A bio-board coffin for cremation
Cremation carried out at a local Canberra crematorium
Death certificate documentation
Support and guidance, 24 hours a day
Simple Goodbyes arranges the cremation locally, keeps you informed throughout, and ensures your loved one is cared for with dignity and respect. Our Canberra-based team handles the arrangements and keeps you informed throughout. Ashes are returned as arranged, and you may choose to gather or hold a memorial later, when the time feels right.
Choosing a direct cremation means there is no service to attend on the day. For some families, this removes immediate pressure and allows space to absorb what has happened before planning how they wish to remember their loved one.
There is nothing you need to organise straight away. When you feel ready, you can gather, hold a memorial, or mark the farewell in a way that feels personal and appropriate.
Many families find comfort in having time to reflect before deciding what comes next.
Cremation with ceremony
If you would like family and friends to come together, a funeral service can be arranged at Norwood Park Crematorium Chapel or Gungahlin Cemetery and Crematorium Chapel. This option includes service coordination, music and visual tributes, and guidance throughout the farewell.
If you are unfamiliar with the cremation process, we can explain what happens in simple, practical terms. In the ACT, cremation takes place at licensed facilities and follows strict requirements. Your loved one remains in our care and is handled with dignity and respect.
Collection and paperwork
We complete the required documentation and bring your loved one into our care. Families are kept informed and do not need to attend or make decisions at that time.
Cremation arranged locally
Cremation takes place at a licensed Canberra crematorium. We coordinate the arrangements and ensure everything complies with legal requirements.
Ashes prepared for collection
Following cremation, ashes are carefully prepared for your collection at the crematorium, ready for keeping, scattering or memorial placement.
Time and space to remember
Some families gather straight away, while others prefer to wait. A memorial, scattering, or private gathering can take place later, at a time that feels right.
Respectful care for Canberra families
Every family approaches farewell differently. Beliefs, traditions and personal values shape what feels appropriate, and we take the time to understand what matters most to you. Our approach reflects our commitment to dignity, transparency and accountability. Clear pricing, careful handling and adherence to required standards allow decisions to be made with confidence and without pressure.
Cremation is the respectful process of reducing the body to ashes through high heat. The ashes are returned to the family for keeping, scattering or memorial placement.
A funeral service includes a ceremony attended by family and friends, followed by cremation. A direct cremation takes place without a formal service. A memorial can still be held later.
Cremation takes place at a licensed crematorium, where the coffin is placed in a specialised chamber and reduced to ashes through high heat. After a cooling period, the ashes are carefully prepared and returned to you. Many families choose to keep them, scatter them, or hold a memorial when the time feels right.
The cremation itself takes several hours. The timeframe from death to cremation is typically about a week unless the Coroner is involved. Arrangements can be made to expedite this process if necessary.
As a locally owned and independent service, arrangements are carried out here in Canberra by the same small team from beginning to end, ensuring continuity, responsibility and care throughout.
