By default, the Application must be made by an Executor of the deceased’s estate or by a “near relative” (legally defined at the bottom of this page).
Functions of the Application include:
- a final opportunity to express any concerns about the death, separate from the certifying practitioner.
- the correct identity of the deceased (including the correct name),
- that all relevant parties (family and executor) have been notified
- that the executor and family agree to the cremation
- whether the family knows if a pacemaker is present.
- whether there are any valid reasons not to cremate the deceased.
Cremation Regulations 1973 section 5: Application for cremation (excerpts):
(1) No cremation shall be carried out unless application therefor has been made in form A of Schedule 1 and the information indicated in that form has been duly furnished and the form has been duly signed.
(2) Subject to subclause (3), the application shall be signed by an executor or a near relative of the deceased person.
(3) The application may be signed by a person other than a person referred to in subclause (2) if the crematorium authority is satisfied that that person may reasonably make the application and that sufficient reason is given on the application why it is not signed by an executor or a near relative.
(4)The applicant's signature shall be made or acknowledged by him in the presence of a witness who shall himself sign the application in that capacity.
Note the limited definition of a suitable “near relative” (s2, Interpretation):
near relative, in relation to a deceased person, means—
(a) the spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner of the deceased, but only if the spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner was living together with the deceased immediately before his or her death; and
(b) a parent of the deceased; and
(c) any child of the deceased who is aged 16 years or over; and
(d) any other relative of the deceased who usually resided with him or her.
Notably, the following categories are not counted as "near relatives": brothers and sisters, uncles or aunts, nephews or nieces.