Organising A Funeral
Guidance From Your First Call
When a family or nursing home contacts FW Barnes & Son, our team gently guides them through the first essential steps. We collect details about the person who has died, confirm their location, and identify the primary family contact so that we can support you clearly and respectfully.
During your arrangement meeting, held in our branch, at your home, via Zoom, or even over the phone, we gather the information required for Births, Deaths & Marriages, including personal history, parents’ names, marriage details and children’s names.
Most arrangement meetings take 60–90 minutes, and many families choose to pre-plan or pre-pay their funeral through Foresters Financial or Keyinvest
.
Professional, Respectful Care of Your Loved One
Once your loved one is transferred into our care, they remain safely with us in our onsite mortuary until the day of the funeral.
We offer:
- Full preparation and dressing
- Cultural and religious care (including Sikh washing and dressing customs)
- Private viewings in our dedicated viewing room
Our priority is maintaining dignity, respect, and the wishes of each family and faith tradition.
Clear Options for Every Family
FW Barnes arranges funerals across Ballarat and surrounding districts. We work regularly with the Ballarat Crematorium and cemeteries such as:
Buninyong, Smythesdale, Creswick, Cape Clear, Beaufort, Bungaree, Dowling Forest and Meredith.
Families decide whether burial or cremation is right for them, sometimes based on personal wishes, sometimes guided by an executor or State Trustees. Eco-friendly coffin options are available upon request.
All local requirements, including burial availability, chapel bookings and ash interment guidelines, are explained clearly during the arrangement meeting.
Spaces That Bring People Together
Families can choose from our beautiful onsite chapel, which seats up to 100 people, and includes:
- Livestream capability
- Audio-visual technology
- Viewing room
- Catering room (80–100 guests)
- Ample parking and wheelchair access
We also arrange services at local churches, cemeteries, private properties, parks and community venues, securing all bookings on your behalf.
Creating a Service That Feels Right
FW Barnes caters for religious, non-religious, cultural, contemporary or fully personalised services. Families may choose their own celebrant or work with one we help select based on preferences such as gender or ceremony style.
We also accommodate cultural traditions including Maori, Pacific Island, Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Macedonian Orthodox, Buddhist and Sikh customs, noting that some traditions may carry venue restrictions.
Thoughtful Refreshments After the Service
Our onsite catering offers two menu options:
Cold Menu
Mixed sandwiches, slices, scones, tea, coffee and cordial.
Hot & Cold Menu
Hot pastries, quiches, mixed sandwiches, slices and scones, with tea, coffee and cordial.
Dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, cultural requirements) are available, and families may also choose to arrange offsite catering independently.
Beautiful, Personal Tributes
FW Barnes works closely with local trusted florist to provide:
- Coffin sprays
- Wreaths
- Sheafs
- Custom tributes
- Seasonal arrangements
Families may choose specific colours, themes or symbolic flowers. Floral tributes can be donated to community organisations on request.
Making a Farewell Meaningful
We offer a range of personalisation options, including:
- Photo tributes and slideshows
- Memorial books
- Printed service sheets and bookmarks
- Music selections or live musicians
- Memory tables
- Dove releases, butterflies, bagpipes (on request)
- Signature FW Barnes gifts such as seedling packets and a framed photo of the deceased
Vehicles for Dignified Farewell Moments
Families have access to our modern hearse and SUV family car.
Private home viewings are rare in Ballarat, but can be arranged when appropriate.
Transport for mobility-restricted guests is usually arranged via taxis or family support.
Bringing Loved Ones Home
FW Barnes assists with inbound repatriation (returning someone to Australia).
For outbound repatriation, we work closely with Ern Jensen Funerals in Melbourne, who specialise in international transfers.
Help With Paperwork & Essential Documents
We manage the registration of every death on behalf of the family.
Although we do not issue certified BDM certificates ourselves, we help families understand the process and assist with:
- Centrelink forms
- Insurance documentation
- General guidance (but not legal advice) around estates or probate
Transparent Options for Every Family
FW Barnes provides:
- Dual service funerals
- Single service funerals
- Essential care (no-service) burials
- Essential care (no-service) cremations
Itemised quotes are provided at the arrangement meeting. If families are working with a limited budget, we guide them through appropriate options and potential external funding sources.
Proudly Serving Ballarat For Generations
As Ballarat’s oldest funeral home, FW Barnes maintains longstanding relationships with:
- Ballarat cemetery trusts
- Local churches
- Aged-care facilities
- Palliative care services
- Sporting clubs and community groups
These connections ensure seamless, respectful coordination for every family we serve.
Download Our Funeral Planning Guide
