|
When a person dies, there are
strict legalities and procedures that must be attended to. These include
advising the authorities, the family Doctor,
and also depending on the circumstances of the death, the Police and /
or the State Coroner may have to be involved.
Once the formal legalities have been
properly attended to, you may then appoint a Funeral Director to make
the formal arrangements for a funeral.
If you are unsure as to which Funeral Director you should choose, please
contact me and I will ascertain your initial needs, and make
recommendations. I have conducted services for several Funeral
Directors, and I am qualified to make suggestions so that you may be the better informed.
The appointment of
a Funeral Civil Celebrant to arrange and conduct the actual funeral service, is usually at the discretion of the Funeral Director.
You may instruct the Funeral Director to appoint me as your Celebrant, and I
will make all of the necessary arrangements for the service.
Once the Funeral Director has been
appointed, there is a lot to be done, and in a relatively short time.
You are relying on and placing your entire trust with strangers to look
after your interests at possibly the most difficult time in your life.
The Funeral Director you have chosen and their staff are very caring,
and understand your grief and sentiments.
The Funeral arrangers are specially trained to assist you, and like myself
are there to ensure everything is performed with dignity and
professionalism.
The loss of a loved one can be a very traumatic experience in your life,
and displays of emotion are a natural part of grieving and trauma. Through
my life's experiences, I have been especially trained to handle this and
will look after your best interests at all times.
After you have made the Funeral arrangements with the Funeral Director,
you will be asked what sort of service do you require. In most cases,
you really do not know unless you have discussed this with your family
or loved one previously. You need to sit down quietly and think this over.
I have had personal experience with the loss of loved ones, and I understand the grief and shock you are experiencing, and will come to
your home. It is part of my job to assist you with this important task,
and I will quietly discuss what type of service you would prefer. I will
ask you questions of your loved one's life and experiences, and it is
always good to have family members with you during this discussion for
additional support.
Because there is usually only two or three days for the funeral to be
arranged, we need to ensure that we have everything accurate. You will
have already discussed the type of funeral for your loved one, Burial,
Cremation, Religious, non-Religious (Secular), venue - either Church,
Funeral Director's Chapel, Crematorium or Cemetery, and whether refreshments
are to be provided, and by whom.
I work with you and your Funeral Director to provide the best service
for you and your loved one. Whichever service you choose, I will arrange either a religious
or semi-religious service, or a purely secular / non-religious service.
EULOGY and SERVICE
details.
In the majority of cases, I will prepare
a Eulogy from our discussions, and also read it at the service, this will
save you and your family members this burden, as emotion usually takes
over when close family members stand up at the rostrum and start to read
their tribute. This is a natural reaction, and I will be there to assist
if required.
If someone else is to read the Eulogy, we need to discuss who is to prepare
this.
Also, are there any photographs and video presentations, and what music
is to be played, and when.
I like to encourage close family members to also express their feelings.
For those who are to present any anecdote or tribute, it is wise that
they come prepared, and have their notes printed or preferably typed.
In this regard, I will be there to support them if emotion takes over.
OTHER TRIBUTES
Also we need to know who else is to
be involved such as friends, former work colleagues, Community and Sporting
groups, RSL, Probus, Freemasons, Volunteer organisations.
It is also preferable for your own well being that the overall service
be limited to no more than 25 - 35 minutes.
This can be a very trying time for the bereaved family members, and we
really do not want to have well meaning persons making an emotionally
charged presentation that goes on and on for 15 minutes or more.
We have to think of YOU and your family.
As part of my services, I will prepare
the overall Order of Service, and ensure the selected musical items are
available. I will liaise with other presenters to ensure that they have
all of their notes together.
If required, I also have my own wireless remote Public Address system
for Graveside services, which due to varying weather conditions can sometimes
be quite a challenge to ensure mourners are able to fully hear the service.
If you are having the FULL SERVICE
(See
Costs)
then I also offer a free inclusive service
of preparation and printing of the Order of Service, with one colour
picture of the deceased, double-sided printed on A4 coloured paper, and
up to 50 copies.
I offer you Understanding and Caring,
Professionalism, and lots of experience in being a Funeral Celebrant,
and in dealing with emotion and grief.
Personal
Grief
Assistance Link
Press here to return to the main page
|
