09 Nov 2023 | Ceremonies

The Dawn Has Come

A small private family ceremony was held for the Late Nita Matten. I closed the ceremony with the quote from the poet, Tagore. Death is not extinguishing the light, but putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.  

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06 Nov 2023 | Ceremonies

O Mio Babbino Caro—Oh, My Dear Papa

Bob’s family, chose the evocative track of music O Mio Babbino Caro sung by Andre Rieu and Amira Willighagen as the opening song for the Celebration of the Life of Marius Laurentius Gimbergh, who was lovingly known as Bob. I conducted the funeral and graveside ceremony for Bob’s beloved wife,…

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03 Nov 2023 | Celebrants

An Estranged Son’s Tribute to His Mum

I met with the family of a woman who had died unexpectedly: her siblings, in laws, adult children and their partners, and grandchildren. They laughed and cried as we told stories together. It hadn’t been an easy family life with alcohol and partying being a strong theme, and none of…

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31 Oct 2023 | Poetry

Peace. One Day.

I cried watching this choir. I cried for the children, the mothers, the fathers, the people of the world. Koolulam, One Day – Matisyahu, Haifa, 14th Feb 2018. “One day this all will change…” 3000 people, three languages and one Haifa, all singing Koolulam and hoping that the ‘One Day’…

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Jim Gorman

28 Oct 2023 | Ceremonies

James Gorman—Jim, Gormo, Dad, Pa…

Six pallbearers carried Jim’s coffin into the chapel while we listened to Charlie Pride sing, I’m Just Me.  After the coffin was in place, the pallbearers were seated and I had stood near the lectern, Paul Scherr, Jim’s son-in-law, offered a ceremonial military salute with a drawn sword. Excerpts from…

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10 Oct 2023 | Celebrants

Cara Curan – Wild Heart, Gypsy Soul

Cara died a short time after she had successfully received a heart transplant. Cara was a courageous and beautifully wild young woman who was an advocate for HRI and organ donation. She was just 39 years old and had her wedding dress ready to marry her fiancé on the 28th…

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10 Oct 2023 | Celebrants

Celebrating the Life of Brad McKibbin

Brad lived at home with his mum and dad for most of his 39 years.  It was a huge shock when he died unexpectedly.  Meeting with them at their home in the tender place of grief and the sharp space of disbelief, they told of their love and joy of…

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The Eyes of Love

07 Oct 2023 | Ceremonies

Seeing Through the Eyes of Love

When Mina and John shared their love letters with me, I was delightfully surprised. I love co-creating ceremonies with couples and families because you never know what will come forth given the space for creativity. They had gone off the ‘love letter’ script that I offer all my wedding couples….

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06 Oct 2023 | Ceremonies

Farewell to Bob Hannaford

The chapel was filled with families hugging, talking, laughing, children running around… Bob’s casket sitting at the front. I could imagine him sitting back in his chair watching the Hannaford clan gathering. Bob could be proud of this lovely family energy, a sense of connection, care and support. The Hannaford…

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21 Sep 2023 | Ceremonies

Wendy Woo

Wendy Bartram was greatly loved and cherished.  I spoke with Wendy’s carers, some who had been by her side for 30 years. Carers who, when speaking about her, cried, laughed and told the stories of Wendy’s many antics and jokes, her kindness, joy and stubbornness. I also spoke with Wendy’s…

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18 Sep 2023 | Ceremonies

Vale Lee Cox

You Are so Beautiful by Joe Cocker was the opening song for this beautiful ceremony for Lee (Alicia) Cox. Lee and her husband, Dick (dec) owned Cox Brothers which was a fruit and veggie shop where I shopped once a week in my younger days. I received a tribute from…

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03 Sep 2023 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Remembering Julie Larsen

Dux of the Class In high school, Julie excelled and was the Dux of her class. She became a school teacher and taught for quite a few decades. All of her five children were in her class at some point in their schooling. Naturally, she had written many student reports…

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Shaun Robinson

02 Sep 2023 | Funerals, Death and Dying, End of Life Planning

Celebrating Shaun

“Shaun loved his family and friends and he loved his carers… in fact, he loved most people he came across. He will be remembered for his empathic and engaging way with the world; and his stubbornness and determination! Shaun will be remembered for his cheeky and happy personality, the way…

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Death and Dying

30 Aug 2023 | Elderhood

A Deeper Well

“Death comes in the middle of a long life.” This old Irish proverb goes back to ancient understandings of initiation and the wisdom that comes from the awareness and acceptance of death as a teacher. Our next gathering: Thursday 21st September 7.30pm We had the inaugural online gathering of ‘A…

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21 Aug 2023 | Celebrants

In Good Company

Lots of money for one hours work…. a poetry reading for celebrants! Earlier this year, I was invited to present two sessions for The Celebrant Network’s (TCN) National Conference in Melbourne. The gathering was to celebrate 50 years of celebrancy in Australia. I was confident to accept the offer to…

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