Funeral & Memorial Celebrancy

I believe that the way we say goodbye matters. Holding a farewell - whether that's a funeral, memorial, living wake, informal gathering or community celebration -  is an important part of grieving and farewelling someone who has died. It offers a time to come together, to share in grief, to remember and to honour and celebrate a life.

A farewell can be whatever you want it to be. While you may have experienced funeral services that follow a particular script or format, truly there is no single way to do this. 

​I work with you to craft a ceremony that feels authentic and meaningful. I take the time to listen and work closely with each family or loved ones to create something that reflects who your person was, their life and their values - allowing space for grief and gratitude, joy and sadness. 

​I work in a flexible, family-led way, shaping each ceremony around what feels most meaningful to you and those closest to the person who has died. I can offer gentle ways to invite participation, so the ceremony becomes something people are part of, rather than simply observing.

​What I offer

• A consultation with family, friends, and others to explore what you would like, and to gather stories, memories, and reflections (1–3 hours)

• Guidance through the planning process, ensuring your values and wishes are honoured

• Writing the ceremony script

• Support for storytelling, including those who wish to speak

• Suggestions for readings, poetry, music, and simple rituals

• Coordination and delivery of the ceremony on the day

• Liaison with the funeral director or others involved

• Additional service for graveside burial or scattering of ashes, if requested

What’s the difference between funerals, memorials and living wakes?

Funerals
A funeral usually takes place with the body present. This can influence the choice of venue, and funerals are often held relatively soon after death, before burial or cremation. With a funeral, there is still plenty of room to personalise the ceremony. A funeral may or may not be followed by an attended cremation or burial.

Home Funerals
A home funeral is where the family members, friends or community of a person who has died stay involved in their care and arrangements until the final disposition of the body. This can happen with or without the assistance of a funeral director or celebrant. A home funeral can involve many things, including creating and holding the funeral ceremony in the home. To read more about home funerals, visit: https://www.ahfa.org.au/homefunerals 

Memorials
Memorials are increasingly common and offer flexibility. As the body is not present, there is greater freedom in timing, location, and style. A memorial might be held in a park or garden, at home, in a community space, or somewhere that held meaning for the person who has died.

Living Wakes
A living wake is a gathering held while someone is still alive, often when they are approaching the end of life. It offers an opportunity to share memories, hear tributes, and say goodbye in person. A living wake can take many forms - an intimate gathering, a larger celebration, a simple or more formal ceremony ... anything you want, really! It is a meaningful way for someone to be part of how they are honoured, and to experience the love, stories, and impact they have had on others, while they are still here to receive it.