Funeral Options

Creative Funerals

The funeral is a last good-bye and a celebration of a life. It is 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. Sometimes special instructions are given for decoration of the chapel, the arrangement of flowers, the choice of music or 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 deceased may have relatives and good friends who knew them 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 or webcast to the funeral. A DVD recording may also be made available following the service.

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.

Vehicle Choices

You may wish to include the following vehicles in the service. Please speak to your Funeral Director regarding availability and pricing.

Our Horse-drawn Hearse

This unique hearse, drawn by a pair of Percheron horses, was originally crafted in the 1820s by G B Huiskamp of Winterswijk, Holland. It was acquired by Allison Monkhouse in a dilapidated condition and was carefully 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 Phantom Hearse

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-1990s by Allison Monkhouse and meticulously restored. The result is a beautifully balanced and elegant vintage Rolls Royce hearse embodying the dignity its duties demand.

Unique Pagoda Hearse

This vehicle caters to 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.

Green/Sustainability Options

At Allison Monkhouse, we understand the need to care for the environment, offering sustainable options as part of celebrating and remembering a life.This service includes:

  • Environmentally friendly coffins and caskets
  • Organic mortuary products
  • Memorial Books and Orders of Service made from recycled paper
  • Green Burial choices
  • Environmentally friendly urns
  • Tree planting program

We can also tailor to any other environmental needs you may have.