Services We Offer
Compassionate Care Tailored to Your Needs
Making the Right Choice
Deciding on the most appropriate service involves balancing many different factors, from personal relationships to family and cultural traditions.
The Context of Your Decision
A death takes place in the context of an ever-changing society, a particular culture, a set of traditions (like church and family traditions), and the unique relationship each individual had with the deceased. It is from within these contexts that we must decide what the most appropriate service choices are.
Finding a Balance
Since each person had a unique relationship with the deceased, there is no way that service arrangements will suit everyone. The best we can do is to take into consideration the last wishes of the deceased, what we think would have best suited their personality and character, and what arrangements will provide a scenario where most people can appropriately express their grief and begin to come to terms with their loss.
Our Services
Understanding Your Cremation Options
Choosing how to say a final farewell is a deeply personal decision. While cremation is a common choice, the service itself can be tailored to suit your family's needs and wishes. To help you understand the possibilities, we've outlined the different service types below.
Attended Cremation Service
This is a formal service held at the crematorium's chapel, allowing family and friends to gather for a final farewell.
- Service Style: A 30-minute time slot is booked in the chapel for your family's exclusive use.
- Attendees: The service can be kept private for close family or be open to the public.
- Features: A viewing of the deceased is possible during this time. The service usually concludes with the coffin being lowered from sight or curtains being drawn.
Unattended Cremation
This is a simple, private cremation without a formal service or any mourners present at the crematorium. This option is often chosen when a separate funeral or memorial has been held elsewhere.
- Process: The coffin is transported respectfully to the crematorium and cremated at the next available opportunity.
- Attendees: No family or friends are present.
- Simplicity: It provides a dignified cremation without the structure of a formal service.
Witnessed Cremation
This option allows a small, limited number of family members to be present for the very beginning of the cremation process.
- Process: A crematorium staff member explains the procedure. Those in attendance may witness the coffin being placed into the furnace.
- Attendees: This is for a very small group of close family only and must be arranged in advance.
- Limitations: This option is available only at specific, pre-arranged times. Attendees are not permitted to stay for the duration of the cremation.
Special Timed Arrangements
For families with specific scheduling needs, the timing of the cremation and the return of ashes can be coordinated.
- Timed Cremation: If you wish for the cremation to begin at a particular moment, a specific time can be requested. This must be arranged and approved by the crematorium ahead of time.
- Priority Ashes: If ashes are needed urgently (e.g., for a flight or a scheduled scattering ceremony), a priority request can be made to ensure they are available on the same or following day.
We're Here to Guide You
Choosing the right option is an important part of honouring a loved one. For families in Cape Town and the surrounding areas, we understand these decisions can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate them alone.
Please contact our team for personal guidance and support. We are here to answer your questions and help you make the arrangements that are right for you.
Understanding Your Burial Options
For many, burial is the preferred choice for laying a loved one to rest, cherishing the powerful concept of visiting a gravesite in their memory.
Types of Graves
Private Graves
These graves are owned by the family, providing a permanent place of remembrance. Most City-run cemeteries sell graves as needed, while some private cemeteries allow for the purchase of family plots in advance.
- Ownership: The plot is owned by the family.
- Monumental Work: Headstones and other stonework are normally permitted.
- Future Use: Where possible, a second person can be buried in the same grave at a later date.
Public Graves
A more affordable option where the family does not own the plot. These graves have more restrictions.
- Monumental Work: Headstones are not usually allowed.
- Future Use: The plot may be reclaimed or reused by the authorities at some point in the future.
Important Considerations
Cemetery Regulations
Certain graveyards have unique regulations. For example, a cemetery may stipulate the style and size of monumental work, or restrict access to families only.
Monumental Work & Costs
While initial burial costs can be similar to cremation, the placement of monumental work must be factored in. This stonework can sometimes be more expensive than the funeral itself and may require additional costs if it needs to be moved for a second burial.
Understanding Formal Services
When it comes to formal services, there are generally two main options available, defined by whether the coffin is present.
Types of Services
Funeral Service (Coffin Present)
A popular option where the service is conducted with the coffin present. Many feel there is therapeutic value in having the deceased at the service.
- Key Feature: The main factor that defines this service is the presence of the coffin.
- Tradition: The officiant is often required to perform a 'Committal' of the deceased.
- Process: An unattended cremation or burial usually follows at some point after the funeral service.
Memorial Service (No Coffin)
A service that is classified as a memorial because it takes place without the coffin being present.
- Key Feature: This service is conducted without the presence of the coffin.
- Common Scenario: Some families prefer to have a private, attended cremation for immediate family, followed later by a memorial service that is open to all.
Planning Your Service
Common Elements
Both funeral and memorial services would likely include components such as readings, eulogies or tributes, and a message from the officiant.
Consult Your Officiant First
It is always best to speak to the officiant of the venue you intend to use before making up your mind. They can guide you on their specific traditions and requirements.
Other Service & Memorial Options
There are a number of other service options that can either be added to a formal service or be meaningful 'stand-alone' events.
Additional Service Options
Viewing
A viewing can be part of an attended cremation or funeral, but it can also be a private event on its own. It provides a quiet moment for loved ones, especially those travelling from afar, to spend a few moments with the deceased.
- When it happens: To prevent additional transportation, a viewing often takes place before the main cremation, burial, or formal service.
Wake
A wake is a good way of celebrating the life of the deceased in a more relaxed atmosphere, often in the comfort of a family home, which can be more conducive to sharing memories and grieving openly.
- Forms it can take: A wake can range from a tea at home, to sharing a meal at a restaurant, or even a picnic in honour of the deceased.
Remembering & Reflection
Internment or Scattering of Ashes
Another meaningful moment for reflection is the final placement of the ashes. This can be a formal or informal gathering of family and friends.
- Internment: Many venues have memorial walls or gardens where ashes can be interred and a plaque placed in memory.
- Scattering: If the deceased had a favourite place, like a particular beach, the ashes are often scattered there, perhaps after a brief service or reflection.
Our Compassionate Approach
Listen to Your Needs
Our journey together begins with listening. We want to hear your story, understand your goals, and see the world from your perspective.
Explain Options
We'll map out the possibilities and walk through them with you, step-by-step, providing clarity to choose what feels right.
Handle Details
We manage all arrangements while keeping you informed, so you can focus on what matters most.
Create Meaning
We combine our expertise with your vision to create a tribute with real heart and purpose.
Plan Ahead with Compassion
By making arrangements today, you give your family the gift of peace tomorrow. Our pre-planning process is simple, flexible, and completely judgment-free.
Record Your Wishes
Ensure your preferences are known and respected, from service type to music selection.
Reduce Family Stress
Spare loved ones from difficult decisions during emotional times.
Continued Care Beyond Services
Our support doesn't end with the funeral. We provide compassionate guidance to help you navigate grief and practical matters.
Grief Counseling
Personal referrals to trusted bereavement specialists and support groups in your area.
Document Assistance
Help with death certificates, insurance claims, and estate paperwork.
Memorial Events
Annual remembrance gatherings and help planning personal memorials.
Legal Guidance
Connections to estate attorneys and probate specialists.