How long after someone dies is the funeral in Australia?

In Australia a funeral is usually held between five and fourteen days after a person dies. In Perth, most families we care for hold the service seven to ten days after the death. There is no legal deadline, and the date is set by paperwork, venue availability, faith requirements and when family can travel.

Why a funeral usually takes about a week to arrange in Perth

A few things need to happen before a funeral can go ahead in Western Australia. The doctor issues a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. For a cremation, the family applies for a permit to cremate, the doctor completes a separate medical certificate, and an independent medical referee issues the permit. Your funeral director organises all of this. Then a chapel, church or graveside time is booked at the cemetery.

At Gift of Grace we usually meet with families within a day or two of the death, and the service is most often held the following week. Cremation services give the most flexibility with dates.

What can make a funeral happen sooner or later

Faith and culture. Jewish and Muslim funerals are held as soon as possible, often within 24 to 48 hours. We can arrange these quickly. Other traditions allow more time.

The Coroner. If a death is sudden, unexpected or not from natural causes, the Coroner’s Court of Western Australia may need to investigate before the person is released to the funeral director. This can add several days to a week or more. We liaise with the Coroner’s office for you.

Family travelling. If relatives are coming from interstate or overseas, it is common to hold the funeral two to three weeks after the death. Our mortuary care facility in O’Connor allows this, and live streaming means those who cannot travel can still be part of the service.

Venue availability. Popular chapel times at Fremantle, Karrakatta and Pinnaroo can book out, especially around Christmas and long weekends.

Is there a maximum time you can wait?

There is no legal maximum in Western Australia, but funeral homes and cemeteries expect burials and cremations to proceed within a reasonable time. With refrigerated mortuary care, a funeral can be held two or three weeks after death without issue. If you need longer, embalming can be discussed with your funeral specialist.

Related questions

How soon after death do you have to be buried or cremated in Australia?

There is no fixed legal deadline in Australia. Most funerals happen within one to two weeks of death. Refrigerated mortuary care allows longer if family need to travel.

Can a funeral be held within 24 hours in Perth?

Yes. Gift of Grace Funerals can arrange a burial within 24 to 48 hours for religious requirements, subject to the medical certificate being issued and a cemetery time being available.

Why do funerals take longer when the Coroner is involved?

The Coroner must investigate and release the person to the funeral director before arrangements can proceed. This can take days or, in complex cases, weeks.

Talk to a Perth funeral specialist

Gift of Grace Funerals is a family owned funeral home at 15/11 Sainsbury Road, O’Connor, serving families across Perth 24 hours a day. Call 1300 856 862 or see our funeral packages and prices.

Last reviewed September 2026. Prices are GST inclusive and current at the time of writing.