FAQ's

Ask questions, demystify and get the funeral you and your community need.

About Picaluna

Picaluna is a business that offers a better way for family and friends to say goodbye to the people they love, through funerals, memorials and authentic life celebrations. Whether you need help with outside funeral services, funeral wake venues, planning a memorial service program or scattering ashes ceremony, or non-traditional funeral services, we are there to help.

We began with four passionate funeral celebrants that went on to train as funeral directors and form Picaluna Beautiful Funerals. From those humble beginnings, Picaluna has grown to where we are today, helping families across the greater Sydney region, Blue Mountains, lower Southern Highlands, NSW Central Coast, South Coast, Mid North Coast, Far North Coast, Newcastle, Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Greater Melbourne, Mornington and Geelong.

Yes, we holistic Deathcare professionals, including being fully qualified Funeral Directors, delivering complete funeral services from beginning to end. We’re experienced professionals who believe funerals can be more personalised, compassionate, and affordable. We work with a trusted network of florists, coffin providers, celebrants, crematoriums, and venues to achieve this.

Unlike traditional funeral homes, Picaluna offers flexibility in ceremony locations, total price transparency, and personalised services. We work with celebrants and suppliers to create funerals that are authentic, meaningful, and affordable.

In the funeral industry, it’s common for businesses to add undisclosed markups to prices. While this is standard practice, it can sometimes feel unclear or even unfair. At Picaluna, we’ve chosen a different path: complete transparency. We are proud to be a for-profit and for-purpose business. This means: We operate sustainably while donating 5% of our profit to a charity of your choice from our list of partners. Our goal is not only to provide exceptional funerals but also to make a positive impact in the community.

Services and Options

We provide traditional funerals, eco-friendly funerals, direct cremations, memorial services, and life celebrations in private venues, outdoors, or any location meaningful to your family.

We operate in New South Wales, across the greater Sydney region, Blue Mountains, lower Southern Highlands, NSW Central Coast, South Coast, Mid North Coast, Far North Coast, Newcastle; in Victoria across Greater Melbourne, Mornington and Geelong; in Queensland, across Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba.

Yes. We support environmentally conscious funerals, offering biodegradable coffins, natural burials, and sustainable options to reduce environmental impact.

Absolutely. We offer pre-planning services so you can design your farewell ahead of time, reducing stress for your family and ensuring your wishes are honoured. A Pre-Paid funeral plan makes sound emotional and financial sense. Not only can they protect your loved ones from unnecessary stress at a difficult time, they also ensure that your own wishes are carried out.

A pre-paid funeral plan is a service planned and paid for in advance. It is secured at today’s prices, which gives you total control over your funeral. Your funds are held independently of Picaluna and invested on your behalf. Choose to pay in a lump sum, or in fortnightly, monthly or quarterly instalments over a fixed period of time.

A pre-paid funeral is arranged with Picaluna; you decide on the type of service and this is formalised in a contract. Your funds are secure and should Picaluna cease to exist, your investment is safe. Picaluna is only paid once proof your contract has been fulfilled. Your pre-paid funeral plan will not affect your means tested pension. No contribution limit applies, so you can invest as much as you would like to cover your future funeral expenses.

Picaluna partners with Griefline to ensure no one faces grief alone. Griefline provides free support to individuals navigating grief and loss. They offer compassionate care and understanding through their helpline, online community, and resources. Griefline’s trained telephone supporters are available 365 days a year. They also offer online forums and bereavement support groups, empowering individuals to cope with grief. Picaluna partners with Griefline to ensure no one faces grief alone.

If you need support or want to learn more about their work, please visit their website.

www.griefline.org.au

A memorial slideshow is a beautiful way to honour a life and share cherished memories with family and friends. Picaluna can assist with photo slideshow setup, including projector and screen, photo editing, and creating a meaningful visual tribute. Picaluna Funerals Your funeral director will work with you to compile your favourite photos, set them to music, and ensure they’re displayed beautifully on the day. Our funeral directors bring everything together including a touching visual slideshow that honours your loved one’s life perfectly. Picaluna Funerals If you’d like to be involved in creating it yourself, we’re happy to guide you through that process too.

Picaluna can arrange photo slideshow setup including a projector and screen, photo editing and slideshow creation, PA systems for clear sound, and music support. Picaluna Funerals To create one yourself, start by gathering your favourite photos from childhood through to recent times and arrange them in a meaningful order. Choose music that was special to your loved one, and use tools like Google Photos, Canva, or iMovie to put it together. If you’d prefer we handle it for you, just let us know, it’s one of the details we love to help with.

Creating a slideshow for a funeral is a deeply personal tribute. Start by collecting photos that tell your loved one’s story, their childhood, milestones, relationships, and passions. Arrange them chronologically or thematically, and choose music that was meaningful to them. Free tools like Google Slides, Canva, or iMovie make it straightforward to put together at home. Alternatively, Picaluna can take care of everything including photo editing, slideshow creation, and on-the-day projector and screen setup Picaluna Funerals so you can focus on being present with your family.

In Australia, all bodies must be placed in a coffin or suitable container before burial. In a direct burial, the body is buried without a viewing or full service, generally with only funeral staff present. If mourners attend the burial, this is known as a graveside service. Picaluna Funerals Cemetery staff will prepare the grave site, and after the committal, the grave is closed and a headstone or marker can be placed. For eco-friendly burials, the body is placed in a biodegradable coffin in an area close to nature, with the aim of reducing environmental impact. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna supports all types of burial and will guide your family through every detail.

Costs and Payment

At Picaluna, we believe in honesty and integrity, especially during such an important time. That’s why our pricing is completely transparent, allowing families to understand exactly what they are paying for. We quote all products and services at their wholesale cost. A 40% service fee is added to cover business expenses, including marketing, operations, and profit. This fee ensures we can provide high-quality services while remaining sustainable.

In the funeral industry, it’s common for businesses to add undisclosed markups to prices. While this is standard practice, it can sometimes feel unclear or even unfair. At Picaluna, we’ve chosen a different path: complete transparency. We are proud to be a for-profit and for-purpose business. This means: We operate sustainably while donating 5% of our profit to a charity of your choice from our list of partners. Our goal is not only to provide exceptional funerals but also to make a positive impact in the community.

For a full-service funeral, an invoice will be sent following the arrangement meeting for a 70% deposit payment on the estimate of costs; this is to be paid before the funeral. Once the funeral is over, and we know the exact costs of the products and services that made up the funeral, a final invoice is sent for balance payment. 

For a direct cremation without a funeral service, a first and final invoice will be sent following the arrangement meeting for total payment before the cremation takes place.

Payments can be made via bank transfer or credit card.

A simple direct cremation without a service in Sydney is $2,750. Picaluna Funerals If you’d like to include a service, whether a full funeral with the coffin present, or a separate memorial, the funeral can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000 depending on the choices you and your family make. Picaluna Funerals There is also a cremation levy that applies to every person cremated in NSW, as implemented by the NSW Government through Cemeteries and Crematoria NSW (CCNSW). Picaluna Picaluna provides fully itemised, transparent pricing, contact us for a personalised quote.

Cardboard coffins start at $165, and Picaluna offers all its coffins at cost price. Picaluna Funerals The final price depends on the material, style, and any personalisation you’d like. Coffin wrapping is a great way to personalise a coffin. Options include animals and nature, floral, sea and surf, religious, flags, custom photos, or an Aboriginal print wrap. Picaluna Funerals Our funeral arrangers will walk you through all available options to find something that suits both your vision and your budget.

Funeral costs depend on the type of service you choose. As a guideline, a funeral with a service can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals A simple direct cremation without a service starts from $2,750 in Sydney. Picaluna sources everything at wholesale price, then adds a markup of which 5% goes to your nominated charity and every cost is made transparent. Picaluna Funerals We’ll always provide a fully itemised quote so there are no surprises.

Funeral costs in NSW vary depending on whether it is a cremation or burial. As a guideline, a funeral with a service can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals A direct cremation without a service starts from $2,750 in Sydney. Picaluna sources everything at wholesale rates, then applies a 35% service fee to the wholesale cost of the funeral, with all prices including GST. Picaluna Contact us for a personalised, transparent quote tailored to your needs.

A simple direct cremation without a service in Sydney is $2,750. Picaluna Funerals This covers the transfer of your loved one, all necessary paperwork, the cremation itself, and return of the ashes to your family. If you’d like to add a service or ceremony, costs will vary based on the venue, celebrant, coffin, and other personal touches. Picaluna’s model ensures transparent pricing, eliminating hidden costs and fees so families understand exactly what they’re paying for. Picaluna Funerals

A simple direct cremation without a service starts at $2,750 in Sydney. Picaluna Funerals Costs can vary depending on location, the type of service chosen, and any additional personal touches. Picaluna sources everything at wholesale rates, then applies a 35% service fee to the wholesale cost, with all prices transparent and inclusive of GST. Picaluna We’re always happy to talk through your options and provide a personalised quote.

The cost of a grave depends on location and cemetery. In Sydney, burial plot costs range from $3,000 to $45,000. Picaluna Funerals Additional costs can also include the opening and closing of the grave by the gravedigger, gravestones, cemetery fees, and taxes. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna can liaise with the cemetery on your behalf and handle all of the organising, making the process as straightforward as possible for your family.

A Picaluna funeral director will take the time to find out your needs and provide you with a transparent and tailored cost estimate. As a guideline, a funeral with a service can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals A direct cremation without a service starts from $2,750. Whatever your budget, we’ll work with you to create a beautiful and meaningful farewell. [Contact us for a personalised quote.]

A simple direct cremation without a service in Sydney is $2,750. Picaluna Funerals For a cremation with a full funeral service, costs will depend on choices around venue, coffin, celebrant, flowers, and other personal elements. As a guideline, a funeral with a service can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna provides completely transparent, itemised pricing so you always know what you’re paying for.

Cremation costs in Australia vary depending on the type of service and location. A simple direct cremation without a service in Sydney starts at $2,750. Picaluna Funerals In Brisbane, direct cremation starts from $2,195. Picaluna Funerals If you’d like a service included, a funeral with a cremation can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna will always provide a fully itemised quote, no hidden fees, ever.

In Sydney, burial plot costs range from $3,000 to $45,000, depending on the location and style. Picaluna Funerals Across Australia more broadly, a burial plot can vary from $3,000 to $35,000 and beyond, with additional costs for opening and closing of the grave, gravestones, cemetery fees, and taxes. Picaluna Funerals We recommend planning ahead where possible, as popular cemeteries can have limited availability. Picaluna can guide you through the options and liaise with cemeteries directly on your behalf.

Funeral costs vary depending on whether it is a cremation or burial. As a guideline, a funeral with a service can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals A direct cremation without a service starts from $2,750. Funeral expenses can include coffins, cremation fees, professional services, venue hire, and more. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna will provide you with a fully itemised, transparent quote so you can make informed decisions without any financial surprises.

Funeral costs vary depending on whether it is a cremation or burial. As a guideline, a funeral with a service can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals A direct cremation without a service starts from $2,750. Funeral expenses can include coffins, cremation fees, professional services, venue hire, and more. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna will provide you with a fully itemised, transparent quote so you can make informed decisions without any financial surprises.

Picaluna provides transparent funeral costs in Melbourne, with cremation and burial options tailored to your needs and budget. Picaluna Funerals As a general guide, a direct cremation without a service starts from around $2,195–$2,750 depending on location, and a funeral with a full service typically ranges from $6,000–$11,000. Our Melbourne funeral directors will provide you with a personalised, itemised quote, contact us to get started.

Cardboard coffins start at $165, and Picaluna offers all its coffins at cost price. Picaluna Funerals Costs increase with materials such as timber, bamboo, or wicker, and with personalisation options like custom coffin wraps. Whether choosing a coffin for a traditional or non-traditional funeral, personalisation is a great way to make the service memorable from custom-made wraps to memorabilia such as photos, jerseys, flowers, and hobby items. Picaluna Funerals Your funeral director will help you find an option that feels right.

Funeral costs in Australia vary. A direct cremation without a service in Sydney starts from $2,750, while a funeral with a service can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna sources everything at wholesale price, then adds a transparent markup of which 5% goes to your nominated charity partner. Picaluna Funerals We’ll always take the time to understand your needs and provide a tailored, itemised quote.

Picaluna offers transparent cremation pricing across Victoria. We provide affordable and transparent cremation cost options in Melbourne, tailored to your specific needs. Picaluna Funerals As a general guide, a direct cremation without a service typically starts from around $2,195–$2,750 depending on your location and circumstances. For a personalised quote, please don’t hesitate to contact our Melbourne team.

A Picaluna funeral director will take the time to find out your needs and provide you with a transparent and tailored cost estimate. A direct cremation without a service starts from $2,750, and a funeral with a service can cost anywhere between $6,000–$11,000. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna sources everything at wholesale rates and applies a 35% service fee to the wholesale cost, with all prices including GST. Picaluna No hidden fees.

A simple direct cremation without a service in Sydney is $2,750. Picaluna Funerals For a cremation that includes a service, costs can range from $6,000–$11,000 depending on your choices. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna’s transparent pricing model means every cost is laid out clearly, and nothing is added without your knowledge. Contact us for a personalised quote.

Burial plot costs in Sydney range from $3,000 to $45,000, depending on the location and style of the cemetery. Picaluna Funerals Burial plots are often purchased ahead of time, and if this is a preferred option, it should form part of end-of-life planning where possible. If required, Picaluna can make the approach to the cemetery on your behalf and handle all of the organising for you. Picaluna Funerals

Depending on location, a burial plot in Australia can vary from $3,000 to $35,000 and even more. Additional costs can include the opening and closing of the grave, gravestones, cemetery fees, and taxes. Picaluna Funerals In Sydney specifically, costs range from $3,000 to $45,000. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna works closely with cemeteries across NSW and Victoria and can help you navigate all your options.

Funeral plot costs in Sydney range from $3,000 to $45,000. Picaluna Funerals Prices vary depending on the cemetery, the location within the cemetery, and the type of plot; single, double, or natural burial. Additional costs can involve the opening and closing of the grave, gravestones, cemetery fees, and taxes. Picaluna Funerals Our funeral directors can help guide you through all available options and coordinate directly with cemeteries on your behalf.

A burial plot in Australia can vary from $3,000 to $35,000 and even more, depending on location. Picaluna Funerals In Sydney, costs range from $3,000 to $45,000. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna can help you explore your options, whether you’re planning ahead or need to make arrangements now. We have strong relationships with cemeteries across NSW and Victoria and can handle all the organising for your family.

Most traditional funeral homes mark up caskets significantly, but at Picaluna, things are done differently. Picaluna offers all its coffins at cost price, with cardboard coffins starting at just $165. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna sources everything at wholesale price and applies a transparent markup, every cost is made clear to the family. Picaluna Funerals You’ll never be surprised by inflated casket pricing when you work with us. Our funeral arrangers will guide you through all available options to find the right fit for your family and budget.

At Picaluna, caskets and coffins are offered at cost price, with cardboard coffins starting at $165. Picaluna Funerals Prices vary depending on material, size, and any personalisation such as coffin wraps featuring photos, floral designs, or meaningful prints. Whether choosing a coffin for a traditional or non-traditional funeral, personalisation is a great way to make the farewell memorable and authentic to your loved one’s life. Picaluna Funerals Contact us and we’ll walk you through every option available.

Arranging a Funeral

Contact Picaluna as soon as you’re ready. We will organise the transfer of your person into our care, then organise a suitable time to meet with you, and help you arrange a meaningful farewell.

We understand how emotional this can be – we’re here to help guide you through this difficult time. Please don’t feel rushed or pressured – the hospital is equipped to continue to sensitively and professionally look after your loved one. Just give us a call when you’re ready and we’ll organise their transfer into our care. We’ll get you to sign an “Authority to Collect” form in order for that to happen.

It’s totally understandable that dying at home surrounded by loved ones is a common last wish of many Australians. However, as you’d expect, there are a number of formalities that have to be taken into account.

You will need to be in contact with your loved one’s doctor, as once the death occurs, the doctor will need to visit the home to issue an Attending Practitioners Medical Certificate Cause of Death form. That form then allows your loved one to be transferred into the care of the funeral director.

In NSW, if there is going to be a cremation, then you will also need to get the doctor to issue an Attending Practitioner’s Cremation Risk Advice form.

Please note that none of this needs to be rushed when the death occurs – it’s important that you spend time with your loved one, and then call the doctor when you are ready.

Once the doctor has visited and issued the forms, call us and we will come and transfer your person into our care.

This can obviously be very traumatic for friends and family. The first thing to do if a loved one dies unexpectedly or through self harm is to call 000, as the case will automatically go to the Coroner’s, and the Police will need to come and take statements. Once your person arrives at the Coroner’s, the case can be days, to weeks, depending on how busy they are, or if the case is a complex investigation. The Coroner will inform Picaluna once the investigation is complete, at which stage we will transfer your person into our care.

If your loved one dies in a nursing home, the staff will notify you of the death and ask if there’s a particular funeral director that has been chosen to conduct the funeral. Unfortunately, most nursing homes don’t have the specialised facilities to keep your person for a long time, so they’d like the funeral director to transfer your person into their care as soon as possible (preferably within several hours of the death).

Although difficult to contemplate at the time, one good option is to start thinking about a funeral director when your person is first admitted to a nursing home, and then let the nursing home know of your choice. Many people find that it makes the process much less stressful when the time comes.

Picaluna has locally based funeral arrangers living in the regions of NSW, VIC, and QLD that we service; in NSW these include greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Blue Mountains, the Far North Coast, and the South Coast; in QLD these include Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba; in VIC these include Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, and Gippsland. They have close ties with their local communities and work closely with local suppliers to the funeral industry, including mortuaries, churches, crematoriums, and function centres. This means we can use any of the funeral venues throughout these regions, without being tied to any. This also allows us to offer a more personal service because we can arrange a funeral where you feel most comfortable, at home. It means we can deliver a more personalised and memorable service that is authentic to the memory of your loved one.

Picaluna has had the privilege of guiding over one thousand families since 2016 in the end of life processes. Our extensive experience covers an extraordinary variety of options. Sometimes, it’s a simple direct cremation followed by a memorial service and wake. Others may choose a home vigil, church service, graveside gathering or burial. We can provide end of life consultancy and doula support with a cooling bed, or organise a paddle-out with surfers and scattering of ashes. Perhaps you’d prefer a gathering in a local hall, club or event centre, by the bushland, lake or ocean – Picaluna can assist you in finding the right way to honour your person.

Cremation Services

Yes you can; this is sometimes called a direct cremation, where no service is held and no attendance of mourners happens. The ashes are delivered to the family following the cremation.

Picaluna’s funeral arrangers will sensitively take care of each step, from transferring your person into our care at the funeral home to returning their ashes to you, and everything in between. Many families then use the ashes at a later date in a memorial ceremony for the deceased.

We can provide simple, affordable Direct Cremations

The crematoriums we use follow strict protocols to ensure proper identification and handling of remains throughout the cremation process. Some of the key safety measures include; identification and tracking, multiple identification tags (usually metal or ceramic) accompany your loved one from arrival through final collection, unique reference numbers link your loved one to all paperwork and vessels used to transport the ashes, chain of custody documentation tracks every movement and process, staff verify identification at multiple checkpoints, and only one person is cremated at a time in the cremation chamber. You will receive certificates confirming the cremation details.

The combination of multiple identification systems, single-body cremations, thorough documentation, and regulatory oversight, provides strong assurance that you will receive your loved one’s ashes.

Personalisation and Cultural Needs

Picaluna Funerals is very proud of what they can create, tailoring ceremonies enabling inclusivity for grieving youth and children with involvement in the funeral process. It’s all about helping everyone say goodbye in the best possible way. The ability of our funeral arrangers to support children and teenagers through inclusion, can aid the grieving process.

We offer both, ensuring ceremonies reflect your loved one’s beliefs and life philosophy.

We offer genuine, personal funerals, helping loved ones, friends and the community to honour, mourn, celebrate, heal and rejuvenate. Personalisation is central to what we do. You can choose music, readings, rituals, speakers, locations, and any special elements to celebrate your loved one’s life.

Using our experience and understanding, our approach is authentic, transparent and compassionate. We assist families and communities to create a beautiful ceremony – one that is true to their memory and tells the story of their life.

Yes, if you wish. Picaluna can help arrange a cooling bed or plate to keep your loved one at home for up to 5 days for vigil, washing, dressing, or cultural rituals.

A cooling bed or plate helps maintain a suitable temperature to keep your loved one in a home environment for several days. We can help you access one if needed.

No. There are no regulations requiring funerals to be held within a set period. Timing depends on practical, cultural, and family considerations.

We can discuss options such as Advance Care Directives, pre-paid funerals, funeral bonds, and ceremony choices to help you plan confidently.

A vigil is a time of quiet, intimate presence with your loved one after they have passed. You may like to consider a time of vigil with the body of your loved one, whether in your own home or a funeral home setting. Picaluna Funerals Picaluna can help arrange a cooling bed or plate to keep your loved one at home for up to 5 days for vigil, washing, dressing, or cultural rituals. Picaluna Funerals It can be a deeply healing way to say goodbye in your own time, and our funeral directors will support you through every step.

A vigil for death is a period of time spent in the presence of someone who has recently passed, a quiet, meaningful way to begin the process of saying goodbye. At Picaluna, some families choose a home vigil, which may involve washing, dressing, or cultural rituals. We can help arrange a cooling bed or plate to keep your loved one at home for up to 5 days. Picaluna Funerals Our experience covers an extraordinary variety of options. Sometimes it’s a simple direct cremation followed by a memorial service and wake; others may choose a home vigil, church service, graveside gathering, or burial. Picaluna Funerals We honour whatever feels right for your family.

Locations and Contact

Picaluna doesn’t have any shop fronts, rather we have local funeral directors in all regions we service. In NSW these include greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Blue Mountains, the Far North Coast, and the South Coast; in QLD these include Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba; in VIC these include Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, and Gippsland.

Simply visit our website and either call us, or fill out the contact form (we have websites for Melbourne, South Coast NSW, Sydney, the Central Coast NSW, Newcastle, and South East QLD). We will guide you step by step to create a farewell that feels right for your family.

Our Frequently Asked Questions are designed to provide clarity, reassurance, and transparency at every stage of the funeral planning process. Whether you’re organising an immediate funeral, planning ahead, or seeking alternative farewell options, Picaluna is here to guide you with compassion and integrity.
Yi Klavs
Yi Klavs

Just left us a 5 star review

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Yi Klavs
5 October 2025

I’m so grateful to Candice and Archie for their kindness and support during an incredibly difficult time. They were warm, respectful, and truly listened, making the process feel personal and gentle. I felt cared for every step of the way. Thank you for your compassion—it meant more than I can say.

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Sarah Judd-Lam
5 October 2025

Affordable, sensitive and compassionate care

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Sarah Skinner
4 October 2025

Dear Shelly,I want to sincerely thank you for the incredible care, kindness, and support you gave our family during one of the most difficult times in our lives. From the very beginning, you were understanding, gentle, and deeply respectful — nothing was ever too much, and every one of our wishes was met with grace and care.You guided us so effortlessly through the entire process, and we always felt held and supported. You took charge in such a calm and reassuring way — which, I must admit, was a challenge for me as someone who is usually the organiser. But your leadership was exactly what we needed, and I truly trusted you every step of the way.What meant the most was how you treated mum — with such dignity, tenderness, and respect. Her farewell was everything we hoped it would be, and more. It was clear that you weren’t just doing your job, but speaking and acting from the heart.Thank you, Shelly, for going above and beyond. We will never forget your warmth, your strength, and your humanity.With heartfelt gratitude, Sarah, Beck & our families. (Funeral Direct Shelly Bennett)

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Steve Macrae
4 October 2025

Olivia is exceptional! No one could have done more than she did in visiting my mother before she died and for making all the funeral arrangements for me. She has a special place in my heart.

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Leroy Lobo
3 October 2025

Thanks Jacqui. Very professional and easy to deal with. Have already recommended to others

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Mick Starrett
30 September 2025

Amy was very helpful thorough and caring.

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Jonathan Neufeld
30 September 2025

They made the experience very personal and came along side us to make our farewell a beautiful send off. The amount of work to detail was amazing, and the extra mile they went to accommodate our requests was not forgotten. They made our difficult loss a time of wonderful reflection. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity and support throughout our grieving process.

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Nic Mendo
29 September 2025

I’m so grateful to Jaqcueline and the team at Picaluna for their incredible care and compassion during such a difficult time. Every detail of my husband’s funeral was handled with thoughtfulness — right down to the sunflower blouse, which meant so much to me. Thank you for creating a beautiful, respectful service that truly honoured his memory. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

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Mark Hill-Webber
24 September 2025

We found Raine compassionate, helpful, and understanding of each individual person's needs Also, she listened and was patient, knowing that each person grieves differently Do highly recommend Raine and the Picaluna team As they do their best to fulfil each person's wishes Thankyou for giving our mother a dignified send off

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Felicity Hedger
23 September 2025

Just a big thank you to Amy your help, support and guidance was much appreciated especially with these hard and overwhelming situations, all though we never met you are so sweet and kind, your guidance through email, text or call gave me comfort in knowing that my baby boy (22+2) was in good hands and his urn is beautiful. For those who were also involved in his process I thank you as well

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Sarah Clark
16 September 2025

I feel so grateful to have had Deana by our side throughout this entire journey. Her care, compassion, and wisdom made such a difference—not only in planning and celebrating my mum’s life but also in guiding us through such a delicate and emotional time.Deana was an absolute joy to collaborate with, and I couldn’t have imagined this day turning out so beautifully without her. Her kindness, creativity, and dedication made everything feel so personal and heartfelt. From the lead-up to the day itself, she was diligent, calm, caring, and full of wonderful ideas. It truly felt as if she knew my mum.The day of the memorial exceeded all expectations. The location, the lightness, the celebration, and all the small touches were perfect. I received so much wonderful feedback, and I personally felt mum and dad’s presence with me—they let me know they are okay and here for me. It was a day I will remember for the rest of my life as one of my favorites, a true celebration of mum.From the bottom of my heart, thank you again for everything, Deana. You are absolute GOLD, and you were born to do this job. You have left a lasting mark on our lives, and we will always remember the incredible way you helped us honour mum.

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Ellis Mitchell
14 September 2025

Naomi was everything you could hope for in a funeral director. Kind, caring, compassionate & organised. Responded at 9.30pm & on weekends. Made a stressful situation seamless. Highly recommend.

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Julie Solberg
13 September 2025

Our family feels such gratitude for Olivia Andrews, for her expert help, her thoughtful insight and advice which resulted in a beautiful farewell. Thank you.

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Manly Parish
12 September 2025

Raine and her team were very well organised, discreet and was able to deal with the hiccups that often happen at funerals when family emotions are running high. The whole team ere respectful and showed care to the family members and parish staff.

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Jennifer Blau
10 September 2025

Sarah was the celebrant for our father's Celebration of Life and helped us create a beautiful service. She worked closely with us to get to know things about Dad, even reading his memoir to understand him. We really appreciated her time and care in all our dealings with her. Many people commented on how lovely the ceremony was and her role as the celebrant.

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Sharon
5 September 2025

Annie was truly amazing. She guided our family with such care and understanding, helping us create a farewell that was deeply personal and perfectly fitting for the matriarch of our family. The memorial was heartfelt and emotional capturing both the sadness of our loss and the joy of celebrating her life. It was everything she would have loved, and we are so grateful to Annie for making our final goodbye so beautiful.

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Gail Pierce
5 September 2025

I couldn’t have been happier with the care and service I received with Rachel at Picaluna. Her warmth, empathy, attention to detail and support helped us navigate this difficult journey smoothly and helped us create the perfect farewell for our loved one.

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Sarah Williams
3 September 2025

At the most vulnerable time of life when I lost my best friend and husband, Sarah took my hand and guided me gently and lovingly through the shock and wilderness of grief, helping me get the funeral service and wake organised to perfection. She did all the heavy lifting of the arrangements, from church and flowers, creamatorium and venue for the wake and held such loving space at the wake / celebration of life afterwards, encouraging those who had stories to share to do so, framing beatiuful photos of Pete for the service and afterwards. Not only was there a perfect orchestration of logistics, including somehow arranging for a swift release of the death certificate and ashes, as family were travelling back to the UK, but with so much love held my through the toughest of times. I am forever grateful. I cannot recommend this beautiful soul hightly enough.

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Les Battyanyi
28 August 2025

I don't normally share reviews but I have to on this occasion. During a stressful time, Wendy and Candice were so helpful and took the time to understand what we wanted to do and made it happen. The fact that Picaluna is so flexible meant that I could make sure my mum was taken care of until the plans were finalised and they accommodated last minute details with ease.

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Aruna Lobo
28 August 2025

Jaqui Coan and her team were excellent and helped our grieving family feel at ease with such good advice and service during preparations for the funeral and on the day of the funeral.

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Bobbie-Joe Hopkins
27 August 2025

As heartbreaking as organising a funeral for a loved one is, without Deana I would have been beyond lost. Her commitment and compassion for supporting myself and my family during this time was unmatched. She did it all with grace and the upmost respect for me, my family and my beautiful dad, Bradley. I’m so deeply thankful to her.

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Sally Martin
27 August 2025
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Michael Bell
25 August 2025

With my sister's sudden passing and being in a different state we were concerned how we could make arrangements for her cremation. I contacted Picaluna and we were fortunate to have Alex there to listen and guide us through the process and also provide us with other relevant information and contacts. She has great empathy and communications were easy.

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Lindsey Lobo
24 August 2025
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Barbra Joyner
24 August 2025

Our family has appreciated Jaqi's graciousness, kindness and professionalism in helping us organise our dad's viewing and cremation. She supported us all the way through and constantly kept in touch to see how we were doing. On the day of the viewing, the team were wonderful and the event was memorable and meaningful for all of us. We highly recommend Jaqi and Picaluna for that soft and personal touch.

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Riley Diesta
21 August 2025

My mum had a beautiful send-off thanks to the help of Jaqi and her team from Picaluna.

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Ofir Kuberman
21 August 2025

If you’re looking for a funeral director on the Mornington Peninsula, I can’t recommend Naomi Korolew and Vivid Funerals highly enough. We live in Frankston, and I was really impressed by how knowledgeable Naomi is about funerals and how thoughtful and creative her approach is. She’s very friendly, creative in finding affordable options and is truly dedicated to helping the local community. We feel really lucky to have found her.

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Richard
20 August 2025

Highly recommended and very professional. Planning with us and keeping us all in the loop step by step. Would like to thank Jaqi for helping us to see mum off.

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Wendy Patrick
20 August 2025

Hi would like to leave a recommendation for Beth Armstrong … she was absolutely beautiful n was there for us the whole time during our sad time for passing of Paul Patrick … nothing was a bother to Beth n appreciated everything she did from the start … Beth is a real asset to your company and would like to Thankyou all for the wonderful service you provided to us kind regards Wendy n Gary Patrick x

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Steve M
19 August 2025

Amy and her team were fabulous.

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Chris Veivers-maple
16 August 2025

Amy was absolutely amazing throughout the very sad & emotional time when you have lost your most important person in your life. The support that she gave throughout the whole process was simply the best. Cannot recommend her enough.a Very special lady..

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Karen Williams
14 August 2025

Our Family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the sympathy love and support you have extended to our family during this difficult time. A special mention to Amy who has gone above and beyond and the wonderful ladies who took mum to her resting place . Thank you from the bottom of our hearts

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Shirley Jag
14 August 2025
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Catherine Morgan
14 August 2025

We were very happy with the sensitive and practical service and support provided by Annie. At all times we felt that our late mother's wishes were bekng honoured and that we were being given the help and advice we needed at a difficult time

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Sue Trembath
14 August 2025

The team gave us a prompt response to our enquiry and continued to respond compassionately and respectfully. We felt supported which we really needed

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Marco Palmieri
13 August 2025

Naomi from Picaluna was incredibly respectful and compassionate as we navigated one of the most difficult times our family has faced. She took care of every logistical and practical detail, allowing us the space to focus on our grief and on being together.

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Clare Bartholomew
13 August 2025

Naomi and her team were wonderful from beginning to end, talking great care of all the details at a sad and difficult time for our family (on two separate occasions over 18 months). I highly recommend them to help you organise a memorial / funeral of a loved one.

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Rebecca Crawford
11 August 2025

My sister, a young vibrant woman with strong spiritual beliefs, passed away suddenly and shockingly. Knowing that she would not want a stuffy, traditional funeral, I started searching and came across Picaluna. As soon as I saw the beautifully and personally decorated coffins and beautiful natural locations, I knew that they would be the right ones to give my sister an appropriately creative, colorful and spiritual send-off. As soon as we met Jordan, we were put at ease by her genuine warmth and sympathy. She truly wanted to get to know my sister and our family, and was open to all of our crazy ideas and suggestions. She even took what we wanted, and came up with even better suggestions, which were so helpful and spot on. Jordan went above and beyond at every step of the journey, meeting with us regularly to keep us on track. The way she took ownership of my sister with her protective nature was incredible, even transporting her to the morgue and taking care of her there to ensure she looked her best. Jordan helped to facilitate the DIY, collaborative and inclusive service that we wanted to hold. She made sure everything went to plan and ran to schedule, as we were very distracted and emotional on the day. Without Jordan and Picaluna, I am certain this would have been a very different experience. Not to mention, the cost was much less than traditional businesses, and it included a donation to a charity that we chose. If you are looking for a heartfelt, personalized, creative and unconventional service for your loved one, I highly recommend Jordan and Picaluna! She will lead you through the process to create a service that is healing for everyone involved. I can't thank Jordan enough. We will forever remember this great experience.

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Tony Oneil
10 August 2025

I found them very helpful and polite helping the family thru this 😃👍

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Steph Felix
10 August 2025

Sarah was highly recommended to us, and I can see why. From the moment I first spoke with her she was warm, kind and compassionate.She helped our family navigate a very difficult time and helped us create the perfect service for my Mum. She really listened to us as we spoke about her personality and life, and crafted a beautiful tribute to her. We had many comments about how personal the service was, and people commented on particular elements that stood out to them - and Sarah had suggested these to us.Thank you Sarah - we are very grateful for your help and care during such a sad time.

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Jane Morehen
5 August 2025

My family have been very happy with Picaluna Funerals and, in particular, our Funeral Director, Beth Armstrong. Nothing has been too much trouble for Beth and she has been professional, approachable, warm and understanding during this difficult time. Thank you Beth!

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L M
31 July 2025

We would like to sincerely thank Deana and staff members from Picaluna Funerals who guided us through this process during an incredibly sad time when our mother passed away. Deana was kind, compassionate, professional and very patient with all our queries we had. She handled all the arrangements with grace, efficiency and with such respect, ensuring that every detail of the service was what we wanted by accommodating to our specific requests and made sure the service was a beautiful tribute to our loved one. We couldn't have asked for a better experience during such a difficult time. We highly recommend their services. Mataafa Family.

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Monica Andersson
28 July 2025

Kathryn Booth and Picaluna Funerals Northern Beaches took care of or daughter's funeral service. Our daughter was only 25 years old. We felt our daughter was genuinely cared for in a respected manner in Kathryn's and Picaluna's care the entire time. Kathryn listened to our story about our daughter and really understood the essence of who she was and the service we wanted. The service was done so calmly with heart and professionalism. We would not have changed anything. I can highly recommend Kathryn Booth and Picaluna Funerals Northern Beaches to anyone. Monica

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Elizabeth Knight
25 July 2025

Rachel was so very helpful and supportive when our father passed. She was respectful and caring. We appreciated her gentle presence as the celebrant at the service we held for our dear dad.

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Lyndall Katz
22 July 2025

Thank you. Shelly helped us with a beautiful and meaningful farewell. She did this with care and flexibility. Something I really appreciated about Shelly is she paid attention to me, and to us. She noticed the way we did things, and the tone we set. And then she matched us, and at the same time was completely genuine. At such a heartbreaking time it was exactly what we needed. It was exactly what I needed.

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Joe Mithiran
21 July 2025

About half a dozen people have told me it was the most wonderful funeral they had ever been to! Jaqi was wonderful and at the end I really felt she had helped me to come up with a funeral worthy of my mum. I cannot recommend her highly enough. She also saved me quite a few hundred dollars using prepaid and on the coffin which we decorated ourselves. The photo is prior to the flowers being added.

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I lost my father recently and it was up to me and my sister to make funeral arrangements. We were dreading dealing with some official and serious representative but instead we got Candice an Angel of a Lady. She put us completely at ease, she was fantastic we even had few laughs which we really needed but also she was so professional and answered all of our questions. I hope that Picaluna is aware what an amazing employee they have to represent them.Thank You CandiceTom Debiec

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Colby Shea
21 July 2025

We felt so lucky to have found Naomi at such a difficult time… there were so many ways that she was able to help… she was so good at tailoring everything that we wanted for mum’s life celebration. Everything was so fluid and easy. Naomi also contributed a few creative suggestions in our planning but in an entirely appropriate way that was never intrusive. We chose to have her be both planner and celebrant at the send off. She was always excellent re communication. Naomi has such a warm personality, we felt very comfortable around her from the get go. I highly recommend Naomi

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Christine Graham
21 July 2025

Planning a funeral can be a daunting task on top of dealing with a loss. Under the caring guidance of Amy Eastwood, my sister and I were able to create a memorable service for our dad. Amy is an empathetic listener and shows great attention to detail. She crafted a wonderful eulogy and service that from beginning to end captured dad's life, personality, passions and achievements. She is a great communicator and was always kind, professional and committed. I highly recommend Amy's services as a celebrant. You'll be in safe and capable hands.