Loved ones in our care (In person or online)
At Compassionate Funerals, we’re dedicated to offering compassionate and respectful choices for your loved ones right here in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas of Queensland. As one of only eight providers in Queensland, we’re proud to offer Water Cremation, performed by The Gentle Way, also known as aquamation. This gentle, environmentally friendly process uses water instead of flame, providing a peaceful alternative for celebrating a life well-lived.
No harsh chemicals. Only water, lye, and a gentle tilting motion.
At Compassionate Funerals, we partner with The Gentle Way to offer the newest, eco-friendly, and most economical method of holding a funeral service.
One of the largest considerations after saying goodbye is whether your loved one will be buried or cremated. Even if we make this choice for ourselves, it’s rarely an enjoyable one.
We can now provide our Queensland families with the newest end-of-life option – The Gentle Way. You can be sure that when your loved one chooses this option, they are selecting the gentlest option for their body.
No fire, no dirt, just a gentle end to a life well lived.
Your loved one is placed into a stainless steel compartment where only 90 litres of rain water is added along with Lye, which is the product used to make soap.
The bath then tilts gently left to right whilst the body breaks down into the water. This process is very similar to cremation, but without fire and a much gentler process. At no point during the process is the person submerged underwater.
The Gentle Way is much less confronting than its alternatives of cremation and burial and is the most environmentally friendly option for end-of-life care.
Direct cremation allows families to say goodbye in their own time and in their own way, whether that’s a private moment at home, a small family gathering, or a later memorial on your terms. It’s an option that respects both your wishes and your budget.
If you’re looking for an affordable and dignified cremation service, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more or to make arrangements.
No, you do not need to purchase a coffin. You can rent one however.
One of the main advantages of renting a casket is the cost savings. Funerals can be expensive, and purchasing a casket or coffin is one of the major expenses. By partnering with Compassionate Funerals and The Gentle Way, families can save a significant amount of money. This can be especially helpful for those who want to allocate their funds towards other aspects of the funeral, or are on a tight budget.
By offering a beautiful casket as a rental at minimal cost, everyone has the option of a beautiful casket without the expense.
No matter what financial status a person has, they should have access to a funeral service with a nice casket and by using The Gentle Way, they now can.
The Gentle Way process is a one-of-a-kind that allows the complete breakdown of the human body without the use of fire. The Gentle Way uses natural elements like rain water to replenish the system, which is collected and used to run The Gentle Way through its full cycle.
Once a cycle is completed, the water is then processed through our state of the art water treatment plant attached to The Gentle Way. This allows us to filter the water used, and bring it back to the clean state that it was before the process began.
Unlike many aquamation services where water is simply poured down the drain, The Gentle Way stands unique. With its fully self-sufficient and self-contained ‘Eco System’, it ensures clean water is either returned to a business for eco-friendly disposal or safely re-enters the earth through council systems.
A misconception exists regarding the receipt of ashes following the utilisation of The Gentle Way process. Indeed, those who mention the word ‘ashes’ are technically correct.
This stems from our distinct approach, which abstains from conventional cremation fire methods entirely.
As the process uses water instead of fire, we refer to the resultant substance as ‘remains’, emphasising our departure from fire-based processes. These ‘remains’ are what we return to families upon the conclusion of The Gentle Way procedure. Bone fragments, after the drying stage, are now returned to loved ones in the similar form to the outcome of flame cremation.
This means that every family that uses The Gentle Way will receive the remains, and the use of urns, scattering tubes and keepsakes are still valid options for families.
We invite you to explore our full range of keepsakes, urns, and scattering options to find the perfect tribute for your loved one.
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We understand that every funeral is unique, just like every person is. At Compassionate Funerals, we specialise in helping you shape a unique, customised ceremony. You may choose to hold a traditional service at a church, or at a chapel, followed by a burial or cremation. Or you might prefer to hold the service in a public venue, outdoor location or at the graveside. If you have chosen cremation, you may wish to have a private cremation, followed by a memorial service.
Whatever you choose to do – we are here to help. When you’re ready to start making plans, please give us a call. We can either meet you at our office or come to you.
It’s a privilege to serve this community. We’ve been helping families like yours for the past 18 years and are committed to delivering exceptional service every time.
Countless local families choose us to help them create the perfect farewell for their loved ones. You can trust us to manage every detail of this important day.
We’re passionate about sharing hope and compassion with people in need. We give all our surplus funds away to help make the world a better place.
We genuinely care for you and your family and are here to provide practical and emotional support – whenever you need it.
Yes, water cremation is considered a very environmentally friendly option. It uses significantly less energy than flame cremation, produces little atmospheric emissions or mercury pollution, and has a lower carbon footprint. It’s a truly beautiful way to minimise our impact on the earth and give our loved ones a thoughtful and sustainable send off.
We deeply believe water cremation is a profoundly respectful process. The gentle, quiet nature of the process often resonates with families who are seeking a serene and dignified farewell for their loved one. Many find comfort in its natural and peaceful approach.
Absolutely. Water cremation can follow any type of funeral service, viewing, or ceremony you wish to have. The process typically begins after the family has had their time for remembrance and farewell. We are here to support your wishes for a meaningful tribute.
The actual water cremation process itself typically takes between 8 to 20 hours, depending on the individual and the equipment used. Once the process is complete and the remains are prepared, they are ready to be returned to the family, usually within a few days, similar to traditional cremation timelines.
You have the flexibility to do both, and we’re here to support your wishes either way. Many individuals choose to pre-plan their water cremation arrangements. This offers peace of mind, ensures their final wishes are known and respected, and can often alleviate emotional and financial burdens for their loved ones in the future.
Alternatively, if a death has already occurred, we are fully equipped to arrange a water cremation at that time. We understand that these decisions often need to be made during a difficult period, and our compassionate team is here to guide you through every step of the process with care and understanding.
Currently, our water cremation service is only available to families in Queensland. We are proud to be only one of eight funeral directors to offer this respectful and environmentally conscious option throughout Queensland.
While Compassionate Funerals operates in both Victoria and Queensland, at this time, “The Gentle Way” water cremation service is not yet available in Victoria. Please feel free to reach out to us directly to discuss the services we can provide in your area.
