Funerals
What better tribute can you give your loved one than a personally prepared and unique civil funeral. I always visit the family home and spend considerable time learning about the loved one who has died. Then I prepare a personal eulogy which I endeavor to deliver with warmth, compassion and sincerity. There are no rules as far as preparing a funeral ceremony goes, we can adapt to most situations.
Grieving family members need encouragement to express their own views and ideas and I see my role as being the orchestrator of the event, the person who ensures that everyone's needs and feelings are taken care of.
I encourage the use of music and poetry to compliment my words. Family members are invited to pay their own tributes. If children are involved very careful consideration is given to their wishes, and they are encouraged to participate in whatever way they feel they can. Quite often balloons can be released or petals scattered.
Families are presented with a typed copy of the service. Audio and video tapes can also be arranged in most instances.
Memorial Services are often held to allow friends and family members to pay respects to their loved ones who may have died overseas or interstate. These are very emotional and moving ceremonies.
Scattering of ashes - Sometimes I am called upon a few weeks after a funeral ceremony to assist the family to scatter ashes or place them in the ground. A small brief ceremony is usually held.
Children at Funerals - Throughout childhood we teach children to say 'goodbye' properly, so it follows that a child who is prevented from joining with the family in making their last farewell to a loved one, may feel unfairly excluded or shut out. Children require special consideration if they are to understand that a loved one has died, and they need to learn how to cope with loss. Children also need to understand the reason for, and be able to cope with, not only their only feelings but also of those adults around them. So we do encourage people to bring children to funerals these days provided of course, that the child wants to be there.
How to book: You can ring me direct or your funeral arranger will do that for you. All funeral homes have a list of accredited funeral celebrants. Also a proud member of the "A" List of Melbourne's Top Celebrants.
About Me - An active committee member of the Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants of Victoria, at the present time (2007/2008) I am also the Secretary of that association. I regularly attend professional development courses to improve my knowledge and skills.
Please take time to look at my testimonials' page.
The magic of poetry can never be overlooked, so I include some of my favourite poems suitable for funerals but please, if you use them make sure you quote the name of the author if it is shown.
Farewell my friends
Goulburn's Grey Lagoons
Afterglow
His journey has just begun
Funeral checklist: These are some of the areas we would probably discuss at the time of the interview, to help me put together a fitting eulogy.
Please refer to links page for a list of recommended funeral directors.
Contact me by phone on 5995 6358 or Email.
