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Types of Funerals

Creative Funerals
The funeral is a last good-bye and a celebration of a life. They are a time when you can reflect on a person's life, sharing memories with family and friends. Making the funeral reflective of the person who has passed away helps this process. The more the funeral is characteristic of the person, the more it helps with the grieving process.

Personalising a funeral can be as original as you and your family wish. Examples of creative funerals include releasing balloons, reflecting the vitality of life a loved one had. Sometimes special instructions are given for the arrangement of flowers, or for donations to be given to a particular charity. People may even choose to host a funeral at one of many public locations, such as a beach or park, after obtaining the appropriate approvals.

On occasion, the departed may have relatives and good friends who knew the person well and would want to attend the service, but can't, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they may not be able to travel, may not have the necessary finances to fly from overseas to Australia, may not be allowed to take the time off from work or may be unfit to fly. Funeral Link enables mourners overseas or interstate to be connected via telephone to the funeral, or via a webcast. A DVD recording may also be made available following the services.

Our Horse-drawn Hearse
This unique Hearse was originally crafted in the 1820’s by G B Huiskamp of Winterswijk, Holland. It was acquired by us in a dilapidated condition and has been painstakingly restored by coach builders in Castlemaine and Keysborough who identified the timber as Baltic Pine and the axles of English origin. The Hearse is a 'Zijlader' or side-loading model and is regarded as the finest restored model of its kind in Australia.

1926 Rolls Royce Hearse
The ‘Rolls’ hearse provides an excellent opportunity for families to avail themselves of an additional option to make the funeral truly unique and reminiscent of genteel times past.

This magnificent automobile arrived in Melbourne aboard S.S. Herminius on September 2, 1926. After being sold by its original owner, Mrs. T.M. Burke of Armadale, Victoria, it had a succession of owners including the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr. Daniel Mannix. Falling into disuse and disrepair over ensuing years, the Phantom was rescued in the mid-1990’s by Allison Monkhouse.

Nick Simms Automotive of Cheltenham, Victoria commenced restoration of the chassis and mechanicals, while a search was launched for a suitable hearse body. In 1996, at an auction conducted by Shannon’s in Melbourne, a Woodall Nicholson hearse body from a 1921 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost was available, much to the delight of Allison Monkhouse. Woodhall Nicholson was a leading and respected manufacturer of hearse coachwork in the UK. Allison Monkhouse successfully purchased the hearse body.

But mating the hearse body with the 68DC’s chassis would not prove easy. Because the Phantom 1 had a wheelbase some 7 inches (nearly 18cm) longer than that of the Silver Ghost 106AG, the hearse body had to be ‘stretched’ to fit. This was achieved skilfully and seamlessly by Dune Bodyworks of Cheltenham. The result is a beautifully balanced and elegant vintage Rolls Royce hearse embodying the dignity its duties demand.

Unique Pagoda Hearse
Allison Monkhouse Funeral Directors are proud to announce that they are now able to offer clients the use of a specialty Pagoda Hearse.
This new vehicle is intended to cater for the needs of the local Melbourne Asian community. It has a single tier; this being the most appropriate for the majority of Asian cultures and funeral customs. Currently, it is the only hearse of its type in Australia. The addition of the Pagoda Hearse is in keeping with Allison Monkhouse’s commitment to providing individualised, caring funeral services to the general community.

Twilight Funerals
When arranging a funeral, there is often great concern that many mourners will not be able to attend the service due to work, family or other commitments. Choosing a Twilight Service offers flexibility and a chance for mourners to spend some time together in a more intimate and private atmosphere. In addition, twilight is a beautiful time of day and conducting a funeral service as the sun sets can have added significance when reflecting on a life now passed. Twilight Services are available Monday to Friday.

Allison Monkhouse Lady Funerals
Allison Monkhouse has recently developed this service in response to an increasing need in the community for funeral services staffed by women from an Australian owned family company.