• Face Masks no longer are required to be worn at funerals.
• However face masks are required for anyone travelling in a Nelson Bros coach.
• Nelson Bros staff wear masks when interacting with any member of the public.

• Effective from 11.59pm Wednesday 15th December, there are no capacity limits or vaccination limits for funerals.

• It is a government requirement for us to record the name and contact details of every person who attends a service for tracing purposes using the Services Victoria App. Please ensure you have the App downloaded before attending a funeral.
• Click here for further information about the Services Victoria App. 
• For the health & safety of all, we ask that you communicate with those planning to attend the funeral who are unwell or at high risk to COVID-19 that they should not attend. This includes those who have had close contact with a confirmed case. 
• These government regulations are enforceable by fines to individuals as well as to corporations. We are unable to allow a funeral service to commence where there are more attending than the government restrictions allow. Please support us on in communicating this strongly with those who may attend the service.

• The mandatory vaccination requirement has been removed for funerals.
• However, hospitality venues are only open to fully vaccinated patrons.
• If a funeral is held at a hospitality setting, vaccine requirements will apply and only fully vaccinated patrons may enter.
• In consultation with the Department of Health, our funeral homes are not considered to be a hospitality venue. Refreshments may be held at our funeral homes immediately following the funeral service.

• At our funeral home, we are able to meet in person for the funeral arrangement.
• If anyone attending a funeral arrangement is unable to provide proof of vaccination status, masks are required and the density of the room is limited to one person per 4 square metres.
• Via Video Conference, we can have any number of family members join us separately via video. We use Microsoft Teams for our Video Arrangement Meetings. 
• We can also arrange the funeral with you over the phone.
• To assist you with the funeral arrangements, you can use our Online Planning Tool to provide us with the personal data in advance. This can be done here.
• This website provides a large range of information to help plan your funeral. We encourage you to spend time looking through it to understand our range of products and services, and for new ideas.

Ceremony

• Funeral ceremonies exist across all cultures because of their power to help families with their grief. A ceremony, whether small, intimate and private, or following your religious or cultural traditions, is an important step following the death of someone close to you. Having a service that is meaningful will provide a respectful goodbye can still take place during the current restrictions, with eulogies, music, and other forms of remembrance.

• The funeral ceremony:

  • Helps us acknowledge that someone we love has died.
  • Fosters our memories of the person who died and encourages us to share those memories with others.
  • Offers a time and place for us to talk about the life and death of the person who died.
  • Provides a social support system for us and other friends and family members.
  • Allows us to search for the meaning of life and death.
  • Offers continuity and hope for the living.

Viewing

• Unfortunately, the pandemic is wreaking havoc with how families deal with a family member dying. Many can’t visit those who are dying (of COVID-10 or any cause) in the hospital, and distant family members can’t travel to be near. It’s much harder to acknowledge the reality of the death when you never see the person who died. Now, more than ever, Nelson Bros provides all families with the opportunity to spend your own private time at one of our funeral homes with the one you have lost.

Tribute Wall

• All Nelson Bros funerals have their own personal online tribute page. They are particularly helpful for posting tribute videos, photos, obituary, poems and other elements that would be typically be done at the funeral. It also enables those who cannot attend to share their support at this time.

• Funerals held at any location including all our funeral homes may be live streamed. A link to the webcast is posted on the Tribute Wall.
• For more information about webcasting, click here

• It’s important for families to acknowledge your loss as opposed to moving on to avoid painful emotions. Think of this display as a substitute for a memory table at a funeral. The process of gathering items and photos can be a positive way to bring a much-needed sense of healing.

• Many industries are being challenged in the current environment, none more so than florists. We hope you can support them. Our partners at Flowers Vasette have introduced extra products and services, all with direct home delivery. These include their full floral range, but also indoor plants, their own beautiful range of scented candles, and care packages including fresh fruit and other produce. Think about extended family and friends impacted by the loss who could benefit from this. Click here to purchase directly. 

• Nelson Bros is working closely with our valued staff and others involved at our funerals, including celebrants, churches and cemeteries. We are focused on ensuring their safety as well as yours.