Heart and Soul Funeral Celebrant, Director & Death Midwife
As a long-term resident of the Inner West, Melissa has been a funeral celebrant for the past 17 years and a funeral director with Picaluna for the past 7 years and a death doula for the past five years, bringing her special brand of compassion, creativity and family-centred care to the end of life space; and specialising in home vigils to allow the family to have a beautiful home-based farewell before the funerals.
Melissa has been engaged in a colourful range of careers that inform and consolidate her roles as funeral director and celebrant from a solicitor, estate planning lawyer, end-of-life volunteer, death doula, jazz and blues singer, yoga teacher to end-of-life trainer for the Groundswell Project.
As a loyal Inner Westie and Newtown gal, you may have seen her walking her dog in Sydney Park, singing in her community choir Ising On The Cake or supporting her local businesses around Newtown and Enmore.
Melissa feels strongly about inclusion, celebrating life and honouring diversity: of people and cultures, in the way they live and the way they wish to die and be remembered. As a yoga and meditation teacher, swimmer and watercolour painter she delights in facilitating ceremonies and vigils that combine respectful, meaningful content, kindness, beauty and the opportunity for healing.
To understand more about how she can assist you, feel free to reach out.
