FUNERAL DIRECTORS AT PENRITH, WESTERN SYDNEY + BLUE MOUNTAINS

Flowers can sometimes say what words can’t – ‘I’m sorry’, ‘I love you’, ‘Thinking of you’. They can also trigger memories and lift spirits. They add a personal touch and can play an important role in a service.

If you would like information about what arrangements would best suit your service or if you would like some advice on which flowers to send in condolence, please ask one of our experienced team members.

To get you started, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on a floral display or arrangement:

• Where will the flowers be placed? (church or chapel, graveside, on the coffin or casket, given as a  gift)
• Any favourite flowers or fragrances? Any not appropriate?
• Is there a colour theme or a favourite colour to consider?
• What flowers are in season now?

Visual tributes are a great way to reflect and celebrate a life. It allows the family to focus on the good times and remember the life that was lived. A photo or video montage can be created, accompanied by some favourite songs, which can be played in or after the service.

If you would like to explore this option, please discuss this further with your funeral director when planning the service. Call us on 02 4751 6166 or contact us.

An Order of Service booklet is a practical and functional way for guests to follow the service proceedings but it can also become a precious keepsake. Blue Mountains Funerals is dedicated to working with you to design and produce a personalised booklet for your service.

Information that can be helpful to know when designing the book so we can make it as personalised as possible and reflect the true nature of your loved one:

• Favourite colour
• Passions
• Hobby
• Favourite place

Personalised photo stories combine a collection of photos (provided by you) and a song that represents and reflects the life of your loved one. We compile them into a visual tribute (saved on a DVD) that can be played at the service.

Music is a powerful addition to any service. Whether it’s the lyrics to a song, the instruments, the beat or the band itself, music can trigger a lot of emotion and memories. Choosing the music for your service will allow you and your family to reflect and reminisce on the past and allow the guests at the service to share and connect with these memories too.

The chosen music does not have to be a favourite song or band of your loved one. It can also be a song that reflects how you feel or have a message in the lyrics, which you would like to share.

As each service is different, there are no rules as to when to incorporate music into a service, however these are some of the more common times when music is played:

• Arrival – music is played as the guests are arriving, being seated and to signify the start of the service.
• Reflection time (or photo tribute) – A time allocated during the service to reflect, listen and remember, place a flower or watch the DVD photo.
• Recessional – final song at the end of the service.

At a graveside burial, there is also an opportunity to have music played at the site, before and after the service as guests are arriving and leaving.

There is a vast array of songs to choose from and sometimes it’s a little hard to know where to begin. If you need some inspiration, here is a little list to get your started:

More traditional/hymns:

• Here I Am Lord – Daniel O’Donnell
• Make Me a Channel of your Peace – Daniel O’Donnell
• Ave Maria – Sarah Brightman
• The Lord’s My Shepherd – Harry Secombe

Classics:

• My Way – Frank Sinatra
• Time to Say Goodbye – Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli
• Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
• Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland or Israel ‘IZ’ Kamakawiwo’ole
• You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry & The Pacemakers
• We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
• Unforgettable – Nat ‘King’ Cole
• In the Arms of an Angel – Sarah McLaughlin
• Mull of Kintyre – Various
• Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
• What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

A more modern take:

• Angels – Robbie Williams
• You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
• Forever Young – Youth Group
• Fly – Celine Dion

The day of the service is usually a busy and emotional time for the family. A memorial or condolence book is a lovely way for family and friends attending the service to sign their name and leave a short message. It becomes a lovely momento of the people who meant so much to your loved one and were in attendance on the day.

Pictures can say a 1000 words. Incorporating photos of your loved one into the service can be a lovely way to personalise the day. Photos can be used in the order of service booklets, in a photo story tribute, printed on canvas or framed and placed on the casket during the service.

Blue Mountains Funerals also offers additional stationary items such as bookmarks, thank you cards or Holy cards to help personalise your service. If you would like to know more, please ask our team.

Bookmarks

Thank you cards, Holy cards or other stationary to consider.

There are many other tribute options that you can select from:

• Personalised candles
• Butterfly release (available in summer months only)
• Balloon release
• Dove release
• Harley Davidson motorcycle hearse
• Hand and feet imprints for children

If you would like more information about these options, please ask your funeral director when planning the service.