A traditional or religious funeral typically takes place in a church or place of worship and is led by clergy, with the service reflecting the faith and customs of the deceased and their family. These services often include prayers, readings, hymns, and rituals meaningful to the community.

At Lonergan & Raven, we have proudly served Melbourne’s diverse religious communities for over 175 years. With deep respect for tradition, we bring extensive experience in arranging services across all major faiths, including Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Jewish rites.

In fact, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lonergan & Raven played a key role in helping to establish many of Melbourne’s first religion-specific funeral providers—ensuring that each community could honour their dead according to their beliefs.

Whether you require a full church service, graveside prayers, or culturally specific customs, our team will ensure every detail is respectfully and thoughtfully arranged.

A civil funeral is a non-religious or low-religion service that focuses entirely on the life, personality, and wishes of the deceased. These services are led by a Civil Celebrant or one of our experienced Funeral Directors — Nigel Davies, Nigel Collins, Barb Fergusson, or Shannon Johnstone.

Our team works closely with the family to create a highly personalised farewell. Together, we plan the order of service, select meaningful music (if any), and include stories, readings, or tributes that reflect the individual being honoured.

Civil funerals are typically held in a chapel — either at a cemetery or a location convenient for family and guests. Most civil funerals are followed by cremation, although burial is also an option depending on personal or family preference.

A graveside service takes place entirely at the cemetery, held beside the grave without a preceding church or chapel service. It offers a simple, meaningful way to say goodbye in a natural setting, and can be either religious or non-religious — entirely guided by the family’s wishes.

These services often include a eulogy, a poem or reading, and a short reflection on the significance of coming together to honour a life. For those of faith, a priest or minister may offer prayers and a homily, while others may prefer a celebrant-led farewell focusing on personal memories.

Graveside services are intimate, flexible, and can be deeply moving in their simplicity.

A witness cremation offers families the opportunity to be present for the final step of their loved one’s journey. While most commonly observed in Hindu traditions, this option is available to anyone, regardless of faith or ceremony type. Some families choose to pair it with a church or chapel service beforehand, while others opt for a witness cremation on its own.

Typically, up to 15–20 guests can attend. The family gathers in a dedicated room overlooking the cremator through a viewing window. When the family is ready, the crematorium attendant opens the curtain to reveal the coffin in place. Once signaled, the cremator door is opened, and the coffin is pushed or rolled inside. The door remains open just long enough for mourners to witness a final moment — often seeing flowers ignite — before it is respectfully closed. This part of the process is brief due to the extreme heat of the cremator, which can reach temperatures of 1000–1300°C.

Witness cremations are booked in 30-minute time slots. Should additional time be needed, extra charges may apply depending on the crematorium’s policies.

A natural funeral is designed with sustainability and environmental care in mind. These services aim to minimise ecological impact by avoiding materials and practices that are harmful to the environment.

Coffins are typically made from untreated or sustainably sourced wood, or the deceased may be buried in a simple calico shroud. Embalming and chemical preservatives are avoided, and the person is dressed in natural or biodegradable fibres.

Families often choose to forgo traditional elements like floral arrangements, order of service cards, and plastic-based materials — opting instead for a simpler, more earth-conscious farewell.

Natural funerals can be held graveside or in a chapel, and may be religious, spiritual, or completely non-religious, depending on the wishes of the family and the person being honoured.

Funerals don’t always need to take place in a church or chapel. More families are choosing to honour their loved ones in the comfort and familiarity of home. An at-home funeral can be as formal or relaxed as you wish — from a structured service led by a celebrant to an informal gathering with a BBQ and a final toast in the backyard.

The deceased may be present in a coffin or placed on a cold plate (a discreet device used to keep the body cool). Alternatively, many families choose to host the funeral after cremation, with the ashes displayed at home.

We can assist with every aspect — from setup and transfers to arranging celebrants or providing a rental urn for the service. If you select an urn from our collection, we’ll also take care of transferring the ashes for you.

At-home funerals offer a deeply personal and flexible way to say goodbye — on your own terms, in your own space.

Repatriation involves returning a loved one to their place of origin — whether to regional Victoria, interstate, or overseas destinations such as Ireland, Italy, or beyond. It is a complex and sensitive process, requiring expert coordination across legal, logistical, and cultural boundaries.

Lonergan & Raven is uniquely equipped to manage every aspect of repatriation with care and precision. We liaise directly with international funeral directors, secure Victorian Death Certificates, obtain apostilles through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and coordinate international cargo and flight arrangements.

As required by international law, all repatriations involve embalming. We proudly collaborate with IFISS (International Funeral and Shipping Services) and Bertram Dias, and have our own apprentice embalmer, Sam Townsend, as part of our dedicated team.

Families can trust that their loved one’s repatriation will be handled with professionalism, compassion, and attention to every detail.

While funerals are a time of grief and remembrance, they can also be a celebration of life — filled with personality, meaning, and even moments of joy. Whether it’s a Hawaiian shirt theme, a motorbike procession, or a Viking-style farewell (minus the flaming boat!), we’re here to help bring your unique vision to life.

At Lonergan & Raven, we embrace creativity and individuality. We’ve seen everything from costume-themed services to unconventional venues, and we’re not afraid to get involved — we’ll gladly dress up and participate in your chosen theme if it helps honour your loved one in a way that feels right.

No request is too quirky or too heartfelt. If it mattered to them, it matters to us.