Why Burial?
Some of the most common questions people ask about burials.
Can my spouse and or child and I be buried in the same burial site?
Yes, at Great Southern Garden of Remembrance we allow for up to three interments from the same family in each grave.
Can I choose my own burial site?
Yes, at Great Southern Garden of Remembrance, when you pre pay your burial site you are able to choose the site location within the area provided and reserve this plot. You are also able to purchase plots alongside each other to form a Family Memorial Estate.
Can you place ashes of a loved one into the grave?
Yes ashes can be placed into a burial site allowing everyone the freedom to choose either cremation or burial.
Do I have to have both a Chapel Service as well as a Graveside Service?
No, you can have both or just one or the other. Some people have a Chapel Service for everyone to attend, followed by a private Graveside Service for only the Family. Some have a Graveside Service only for everyone to attend. The choice is yours, talk to your chosen funeral director about the differences and the costs.
What can I expect to see at the graveside?
Each burial site is set up with grass matting surrounding the site; a lowering device is placed over the site so the coffin can be place in position for lowering. Great Southern Gardens provide a canopy and chairs for families.
How much time is allocated for a service?
Chapel Services are conducted on the hour, which allows fifteen minutes before the service for the funeral director to set up and mourners to arrive and approximately 30 minutes for the service, followed by another 15 minutes at the graveside during the lowering of the coffin. When families are expecting a large amount of mourners and or services to take place at both the chapel and the graveside, the funeral directors are able to request a double booking. A Graveside Service only, is also conducted on the hour.
Can my family request a viewing prior to my service?
Yes, at Great Southern Gardens we have a private viewing room that allows a family to spend time with their loved one for 30 minutes prior to the service.
Can my family place items in my coffin if I am being buried?
Yes, there are no restrictions on the type of items placed in the coffin. Talk to your funeral director.
Why is the soil mounded at the burial site?
At Great Southern Garden of Remembrance our monumental lawn cemetery is situated on level surrounds. When the initial filling of a grave takes place, the fill is mounded slightly to allow the earth to settled and compact down. Over the first 12 months the graves will compact and require topping up with new soil. This is particularly important during rainy periods, it also helps to keep the area easier to walk through and maintain. There is ample room for Families to gather for special occasions, unveilings or just sit for a while and reflect in the peaceful gardens.