HERITAGE OF MEMORIES - FUNERALS PERTH

Our human life is such a precious thing and, after all, so very fragile.  No matter whether people live for many years or relatively few, they leave a heritage of special memories for those who live on after them.

The story is different for each one of us and contains chapters that tell of love and relationships, successes and achievements, challenges and setbacks.

Remembering your special person with warmth and affection, friendship and respect is important in this significant life point.

HOW I WORK - REMEMBER & SAY FAREWELL

Whether a funeral gathering is held at the cemetery or a funeral home chapel, in a park, hall or club, or in your own home, people want it to be dignified and respectful, and to capture the essential nature of the person who has died.

When a family member dies, your first point of contact will usually be the funeral director you have chosen to manage the funeral arrangements.  If you want me to be the celebrant, you are welcome to call me to check availability, or to ask the funeral arranger to make contact.

I will usually come and meet you (and family members) to find out about the person who has died and to ask you what you have in mind for the service. I will then prepare the ceremony, including tribute words if necessary, for presentation at the service.

Music is a really important part of the ceremony and you can find a list of suggestions below.  If you want to see a list of the most popular choices, please click here. For a comprehensive list click here.

TESTIMONIALS - KEN BOOTH, CIVIL CELEBRANT IN PERTH

Creating the Funeral Ceremony

A meeting with your chosen funeral arranger will determine time, place, duration and format for the funeral gathering.  I will help put the contents together, based on these decisions.

Things to consider:

• Will someone speak about name at the service — a friend, sibling, family member, grandchild?  I can present on behalf of family members, or write something about name on your behalf.
• Music is an important part of proceedings and complements the mood you want to create.  Don’t be afraid to choose something ‘a bit different’.  Please find a comprehensive list of Funeral Music here
• Do you want anything of a religious nature included?  Examples include The Lord’s Prayer, Psalm 23, or readings from non-Christian sources.
• I have a collection of non-religious funeral readings available and you can also find some on the internet.  Funeral Readings here
• Is there to be any acknowledgment of name’s military service?
• If a printed service leaflet is to be prepared, I will usually supply the contents to whoever is doing the printing — this will be provided soon after we meet.
• Is there to be a DVD presentation of photographs?  Try to keep the number to a reasonable limit.
• Sometimes there are time restrictions for the ceremony — we need to be sure that all that you want can fit the available time! 

Tributes and Eulogies

This is an important part of the funeral service and includes both the spoken words of tribute and a picture collection if you choose to have one.

A few pointers:

• Tributes can vary in the number of speakers and the length.  I will discuss this with you when we meet.
• You might choose a special friend of name to speak.  People are frequently honoured to be asked.
• It is best if speakers can have their presentation written beforehand — it keeps them ‘on task’ and the timing can be readily determined.
• Speakers should remember to focus their presentation on the person who died and to avoid lengthy anecdotes. It is always good to include humour where appropriate — as long as it is in good taste.
• I find that the ‘speaking speed’ for most tributes is 150 words per minute.
• I will always encourage contributions from family members. It is sometimes really good to hear from grandchildren, with their special memories of Nan or Pop.
• Sometimes family members tell me that they would really like to speak, but cannot.  I can read your messages for you.

CEREMONY OUTLINE - FUNERALS PERTH

While each ceremony is different in setting, place and timing, I recommend that you think about the Funeral Ceremony in two major parts:

1. The first and most significant part is where we pay tribute to name in words and pictures.  It should remind us of their life and character and why they will be sadly missed.
2. The second, but also very important part, is where we acknowledge that name has died and we make farewell to him or her.  This usually includes reflection time and words of farewell.  It also includes the committal (where the coffin is taken from view) if we are at the cemetery chapel or burial.  Some families choose not to have committal.

These two parts are complemented by verses and readings, perhaps prayers, and the music that you choose.