A handmade wooden box with a metal clasp at the front, containing 872 typed index cards. There is a small handwritten label on the front of the box stating, "Funeral Orders of W R Sheridan". Typed on the first card in the box is, "The Funeral Orders of/W R Sheridan Pty Ltd/Park Avenue/Coffs Harbour/NSW".

The information on the cards was extracted by N. Eckford and B. Laidley from Bill and Rhona Sheridan's original funeral order books. The cards list deaths in the local area from 1902 to 1976, with funerals arranged by W. R. Sheridan and later G. Hammond.

Each card has a numerical code on it which designates the following details (if known): 1. Name of Deceased; 2. Age; 3. Occupation; 4. Date of Death; 5. Place of death; 6. Usual Address; 7. Father's Name; 8. Father's Occupation; 9. Mother's Name; 10. Disposal; 11. Religion; 12. Defence Forces, Lodge, Pension; 13. Class of Grave; 14. Cemetery or Cremation; 15. Death Certified by Doctor; 16. Clergy man; 17. Funeral date, time, advertising; 18. Name & relationship to deceased of person ordering funeral; Additional information.

The cards were compiled 1982-1983 by Eckford and Laidley for the Coffs Harbour and District Historical Society and the Society of Australian Genealogists. 

The Society of Australian genealogists prepared a book from the card index submitted to them by Eckford and Laidley. See the link below, "Funeral Orders of W.R. Sheridan, 1902-1976". 

For a brief history on funeral firms in the Coffs Harbour region: https://loguefunerals.com.au/about-us/our-history/

For information about the Society of Australian Genealogists: https://www.sag.org.au/