A step-by-step guide to the Bare cremation process

At Bare, we understand this is a very difficult time. We are here to make the cremation process as simple as we can for you.

If you have never arranged a cremation before, it is completely normal to have questions about what happens next. This guide explains the direct cremation process step by step, from your first conversation with Bare through to bringing your loved one into our care, arranging the necessary paperwork, carrying out cremation, returning their ashes and registering the death.

A Bare Cremation is a simple unattended cremation. It is an option for families who want an affordable, straightforward farewell, with the flexibility to hold a memorial in their own time and in their own way. If you would like to understand more about cremation and your options, you can read our Complete Guide to Planning a Cremation.

This  step by step guide is here to provide you with peace of mind about the Bare Cremation process.

Our team will guide you through every stage, from bringing your loved one into our care through to returning their ashes. We will always keep you informed and answer any questions you may have along the way.

We are here for you at any time. Give us a call at 1800 071 176 if you have any further questions.

What is included in a Bare Cremation?

A Bare Cremation includes the essential services required to arrange a simple, dignified direct cremation. This includes bringing your loved one into our care, arranging and reviewing the required paperwork, coordinating medical certificates, organising the private or unattended cremation and returning the ashes to you.

The average national price of a Bare Cremation as of May 2026 is $3,399*. There are also no extra fees for 24/7 collection or after-hours customer care and support. You can view a complete list of inclusions and current pricing by visiting our Bare Cremation page.

We will keep you informed throughout every stage and explain what happens next.

1. Contact us.

You can do this in one of two ways.

You can either head to the “Get Started” page on our website, or call us on 1800 071 176.

If you reach out on our website, we will still give you a call as soon as possible. We want to touch base and assure you that we are here to support you. 

In this first call, we will collect some personal details about your loved one. We ask you their full name, date of birth and death, and their present location. We also gather a few details about you, such as your email address and your best contact number, as we talk you through the process. With complete transparency, we also explain our pricing in this initial conversation.

A Bare Cremation includes all essentials for a basic cremation. This includes bringing your loved one safely into our care, required documentation, a simple coffin, the unattended cremation, and the return of your loved one's ashes. For a complete breakdown of what is included and to check the price in your loved one’s area, you can visit our Bare Cremation page.

Sometimes a loved one passes away in a hospital or other institution; your loved one's healthcare team may be the first contact who notifies us of their death. We will obtain Next of Kin details from them and then call you to make contact, discuss the process and answer any questions you may have.

Once we have the information we need, we will begin arranging the next steps as quickly as possible. The timeframe to bring your loved one into care depends on their location. When a person passes at home, an aged care facility or a private hospital, we do our best to attend as quickly as possible once a healthcare professional has attended and confirmed their passing by completing in writing. Generally, we’re able to attend within 2-3 hours of your healthcare professional confirming the death.

If your loved one passes away in a hospital which provides a morgue, or if they are taken into the care of the Coroner, we’ll need the Next Of Kin to complete an authority for their release. It’s quite normal for this process to take a day or so. We make the arrangements to bring them into care from a hospital or the Coroner on your behalf, and with your permission.

2. We bring your loved one into our care.

We make contact with our local service provider partner in your area. Their role is to assist us with transportation. They will give us an indication of when they will collect your loved one. If a hospital or institution is involved we will liaise with them about collection.

We always keep you informed of the timing of this process. It is important that you and others have had time to say your goodbyes. We will give you the time and space needed before we collect your loved one. 

In some locations, an Authority to Release form is required to be signed by the family, giving us authority to collect your loved one. If this is the case, we will email you this form to sign and return.

Your loved one will come into our care and be housed with dignity in a private, secure, temperature-controlled location until the time of cremation.

We understand that many families have questions about what happens when their loved one is transferred into our care. Every person is treated with dignity, respect and compassion throughout the entire process.

We follow strict identification and tracking procedures to ensure your loved one remains correctly identified at every stage of their journey with us.

If your loved one has personal belongings or jewellery with them, we will explain how these items will be returned to your family or managed before the cremation takes place.

Some medical devices, such as pacemakers, must be removed before cremation for safety reasons. It is important that our team is informed about this when we are making the arrangements. We will also let you know if any action is required from you.

Click here to read more about what happens when we bring your loved one into our care.

3. We help you complete the paperwork. 

The Next of Kin of the deceased is required to complete a number of documents which allow us to attend to your loved one's care.

After our first call, we immediately send you an email with a link to your dashboard. This dashboard will be a helpful tool for keeping track of your loved one’s care journey and sharing important information with our team. We ask you to click on that link and answer some questions about your loved one.

By answering the questions, the documents we need from you will populate. Once you have submitted the questions, you need to electronically sign and submit the information. We will then automatically receive the information we need from you.

We understand that completing paperwork while grieving can feel overwhelming. Our team is available to guide you through each document, explain what information is required and answer any questions you may have.

Our team reviews all documentation to make sure everything has been completed correctly before we move to the next stage of the process.

Click here for a more in depth guide to completing your paperwork. 

4. We apply for medical certificates. 

These documents come from doctors and relate to verification and cause of death. We will liaise with the doctors to organise these documents. In most instances you will not need to be involved in this process.

If death did not occur in an institution, we may need to get your loved one’s last treating doctor’s details from you, but we will let you know if this is the case.

If your loved one was transferred to the Coroner after death, we will contact the Coroner’s office and receive the necessary paperwork from them. If a death is referred to the Coroner, the cremation process may take longer. This is because we must wait for the Coroner to complete their investigations and provide the necessary approvals before the cremation can proceed. Our team will liaise with the Coroner’s office on your behalf and keep you updated throughout this time.

5. We schedule the cremation. 

When all necessary documents are gathered, we ensure that they are completed correctly, then book the cremation date.

We will contact you to advise you of the cremation dates, unless this is something you have asked us not to let you know. While we are able to provide the date, the crematorium does not provide a specific time for the cremation, and therefore we are unable to confirm the exact time it will take place.

The timing of the cremation depends on document approvals, local availability and the circumstances of the death. We will always communicate expected timelines with you and keep you informed of any changes.

6. We perform a private cremation.

Our local service provider will transport your loved one to the crematorium. We only use fully registered and reputable crematorium services.

Your loved one will be in a simple eco-friendly coffin. All our cremations are private and dignified, and we handle your loved one with the utmost care.

We understand that many families want to know exactly what happens during a cremation and whether their loved one will be cared for respectfully. Every Bare Cremation is carried out as an individual, private cremation, with careful identification procedures in place throughout the process. Only one coffin and loved one is cremated at a time.

A Bare Cremation is a private or unattended cremation which means no family members or friends are present during the cremation and does not include a traditional funeral service beforehand. However, we understand that there is no single way to say goodbye. That is why we also offer the option to arrange a ceremony or funeral service before a Bare Cremation through Bare Funeral. If you do not wish to organise a service immediately, you can choose to hold a Bare Memorial or celebration of life after the cremation, at a time that feels right for you and your family. You can visit our Cremation Services page to check the available options in your loved one’s area.

7. We return your loved one’s ashes.

After the cremation has taken place, we carefully prepare your loved one’s ashes to be returned to you. We understand this is an important part of the farewell process, and we handle your loved one’s remains with the same care and respect shown throughout every stage of their journey with Bare.

We then contact you to organise the most suitable means of returning your loved one’s remains to you. Depending on your location, the ashes can be hand delivered by our team or collected directly from the crematorium or our facility.

Alternatively, we use Australia Post to deliver the remains back to you. Please note we require a signature for all returns of ashes to ensure they are successfully received.

The timeframe for receiving your loved one’s ashes will depend on your location and delivery method. In most cases, ashes are returned within approximately 10 days after the cremation takes place.

8. We register the death with BDM.

After the cremation takes place, we can now register your loved one’s death with the Births Deaths and Marriages Registry. You will receive an email from us at this stage with a draft of what is being submitted to the registry.  Please check over the email and advise of any changes. Once we know what we are submitting is all correct, we will register your loved one's death.

Once issued, the death certificate will be sent to you. In Western Australia, we will collect the death certificate on your behalf and post it to you. The death certificate is issued by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry, not by Bare. Processing times can vary between states and may be longer where a Coroner has been involved.

We will always keep you fully informed of the stage we are at in this process and be available to assist and answer any questions you may have. We promise complete transparency and ensure that the utmost care is taken of your loved one at all times.

9. We support you in arranging a memorial service.

Now that your loved one’s ashes have been returned to you, we can help you arrange your own personal memorial service, if that is what you and your loved one wanted. This can be something that celebrates their life in the way they would want.

Many families choose to hold a memorial weeks or months after the cremation, allowing them more time to plan a meaningful farewell without the pressure of arranging a traditional funeral immediately after a death.

Whether you choose a small gathering, a celebration of life or a more formal service, our team can help you explore the options available through Bare Memorial.

Frequently asked questions about the Bare Cremation process

Can I arrange a Bare Cremation before someone passes away?

Yes. You can arrange a Bare Cremation in advance, whether you are planning ahead for the future with a prepaid cremation or need to make arrangements for a loved one who is nearing the end of life. Speak with our team at any time, 24/7, on 1800 071 176, and we can explain what options are available based on your location and circumstances.

Do I need to organise the paperwork myself?

No. We guide you through the paperwork required for a Bare Cremation. While the Next of Kin will need to provide certain information and complete some documents, our team will prepare the required forms, explain what is needed and support you throughout the process.

How long after death does cremation take?

The timeframe for cremation depends on factors including medical paperwork, whether a Coroner is involved and crematorium availability. Most cremations take place within approximately a week after we receive all required approvals and documentation. We will keep you informed of the expected timeline throughout the process.

Can family members attend a direct cremation?

A Bare Cremation is a private or unattended cremation. This means no family members and friends are present during the cremation itself.

Can ashes be posted interstate?

Yes, ashes can be returned through Australia Post, including interstate delivery where available. You may also have the option to collect the ashes directly from the crematorium or our facility, or arrange hand delivery by our team where available. Your dedicated arranger will explain the available options to you.

How do I pay for a Bare Cremation?

We do not require an upfront payment for a Bare Cremation. After the cremation has taken place, our team will provide you with an invoice within a few days, outlining your payment options and how to make payment.

Additional services: funeral or memorial services.

We can also assist in organising a service, while we take care of the cremation process. You may wish to add a memorial or a funeral (if offered in your area) to your Bare Cremation. If you would like to discuss these services, give us a call on 1800 071 176.

A traditional funeral service usually occurs prior to cremation, often with the body or coffin present, providing families with a time-honoured method to show their respects. Memorial services, on the other hand, are held after the cremation, allowing families to carefully plan a personalised and distinctive farewell for their loved one. Both options provide meaningful ways to remember and honour a loved one, and the choice ultimately depends on individual and family preferences.

A Bare Memorial or Bare Funeral includes:

• Event management
• A recommended Bare partner venue
• Slideshow and music
• Funeral Coffin (for Bare Funeral only)

To give you more flexibility and control over your expenses, the following optional extras can be added to your package to suit your preferences:

• Professional funeral celebrant
• Selection of flowers
• Service booklets and other optional stationery
• Catering
• Live Streaming
• Memorial Book

You can learn more about the cremation options offered in your area by heading to our Services page. Visit our Cremation Services page to get a quote or give us a call on 1800 071 176 to arrange an immediate-need or imminent cremation.

Additional services: deceased estates.

Estate administration is the process of collecting information about someone's assets and liabilities, applying for a grant of representation, collecting and managing that person’s assets, paying any relevant debts and distributing the assets to the beneficiaries. 

In many cases, you’ll need a lawyer to support with estate administration. If this describes your situation, our affiliated law firm Bare Law is here to help - with the same unrelenting focus on simplicity, affordability and customer service. 

Please don’t hesitate to give a call. Your free and no-obligation discussion can help you make the right decision. Call Bare Law on 1800 343 119 or head to the Bare Probate page for more information.

Not sure what you need?

Every family’s circumstances and wishes are different, and there is no single right way to say goodbye. Whether you choose a simple direct cremation, a memorial at a later date, or a more traditional farewell, Bare can help you arrange a service that feels right for you and your loved one.

If you have any questions about the Bare Cremation process or would like to discuss your options, call our team on 1800 071 176 or get started online.

*This is the average price of a Bare Cremation, taken as the average of all zones of Bare’s servicing as of May 2026. Please note that prices vary depending on location and are subject to increase over time. For an accurate quote and cost breakdown for your location, visit our quote page.

Disclaimer: This article and all information and pricing within it was accurate at the time of writing. Please see bare.com.au or linked sources for current pricing.