North Shore, Northern Beaches, Sydney Metro
Celebrant, Death Doula, Funeral Director

The responsibility of the family to plan a funeral can be an overwhelming process, particularly when there are high emotions of grief, shock and vulnerability. There are many decisions to be made and, often, families feel under pressure or obligated to have the funeral within a few days. Take your time, there is no rush: it is a far healthier outcome when you are supported in creating an authentic farewell that is truly reflective of the one you love. After all, you only get to do this once.

Funeral Director walks alongside a family to create an authentic and personal farewell. Having experience in this industry for 17 yrs I can guide you through many aspects of the decision making – from choosing the right venue through to coffin decorating, keeping it as simple or as personal as you like. You will be empowered to make the best decisions for your family every step of the way.

As a Celebrant, it is a privilege to work closely with family members to hear stories and memories to create a true representation of your loved ones’ unique gifts and character, to bring together the tapestry of their life. Through discussion we can weave in the participation of family and friends to create a loving and meaningful ceremony. Not only can this be expressed through words, but honouring them through ritual, music, singing, photos and literature can also enhance this sacred rite of passage, to bring a more positive and enriching experience for everyone involved.

End of Life Care: In days gone by, we used to care for our loved ones at home after death. We washed and dressed them, contacted the local carpenter to make the coffin or made it ourselves, held a vigil where neighbours, family and friends gathered at the family home. It was a time when community came together in support of the family.

With these values in mind, it is still possible for you or your loved one to be cared for at home (or brought home from hospital) after death. Sure, it’s not for everyone but if it feels right for your family, let’s discuss the practical, emotional and spiritual aspects to ensure these final acts of love are managed with dignity, respect and grace – 0425 217 288.

Testimonials:

Dear Kathryn, I have always felt that if John died before me I did not know how I would ever be able to cope with his funeral. However, the wonderful caring way you conducted the celebration of John’s life changed all that. It was possible for his family and friends to look back on his life, find out what interesting things he had achieved also what a wonderful, caring, gracious and intelligent man he was as a friend, father, husband and in his career as a scientist and explorer. Everyone I spoke to said it was the best funeral they had ever attended. Thank you so much for your efforts to give John the wonderful funeral he deserved. Margaret Shaw – 27/08/2017

Dear Kathryn, Thanks so much for bringing such heart and soul to John’s funeral. Thanks to you it was such a personal celebration of his life. We are grateful for the time you took to learn about him and so sensitively weave that into the ceremony. You made the process a lot easier and less stressful for us. Many thanks Anna Birch – 01/06/2017

Thank you, Kathryn, I knew you would create a wonderful send off for Reg. Everything went just as I had hoped, relaxed and friendly and the venue was ideal too, allowing everyone to mingle. The ceremony was a true reflection of who he was and a wonderful celebration of his life. Thank you for your time, energy and passion to give him the best send-off we could have asked for. Shan Applebaum – 01/08/2017