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Delivering dignified and fitting funeral services

Announcement posted by Funeral Celebrants Association Australia 24 Sep 2019

Funeral Celebrants Association Australia (FCAA) expresses its dismay at the alleged practices aired in ABC 4 Corner’s Funeral Industry program

Funeral Celebrants Association Australia (FCAA) expresses its dismay at the alleged practices aired in ABC 4 Corner’s Funeral Industry program on Monday 23 September 2019.

Funeral Celebrants are a vital and professional component of the Australian funeral industry, according to FCAA President, Di Ingelse.

“Our Members are passionate about delivering meaning and dignified services for the deceased, working closely with their next of kin and/or closest friends, to prepare and deliver services.

“We work with families and friends at times of deep grief, and to our strict Code of Practice,” Ms Ingelse said.

“Good and professional Funeral Celebrants frequently spend much time face-to-face with families in organising meaningful services. Families are often unaware of the many options, ideas and rituals that they may consider and include as part of the funeral service. As passionate professionals, we walk families through this challenging time to ensure sincere services,” she explained.

“Families may not be aware that there are many venues where services can be held, including the family backyard – services do not have to be held in a chapel or church; nor do they know they can have an extended service time.

“When a family knows they may only have 35 minutes in a chapel to say farewell to a loved one, they can be dismayed – they often say ‘35 minutes for a long and rich life?’.   Funeral service options do not necessarily add cost, but what they do add to meaning and helping mourners say farewell, can be enormous.”

Today’s funeral service should be about choice, transparency and meaning – “We cannot change that a person has died, but we can ensure a fitting and valued farewell service to assist with the grief process.  Providing a fitting and dignified service for the deceased and their family and friends is essential,” Ms Ingelse said.

It is always helpful if the deceased discussed or wrote instructions for their funeral arrangements.

“We encourage all people to have conversations about their final wishes – do you wish to be an organ donor, buried, cremated or even aquamated;  who do you wish to speak at your service, where do you want the service to be held, for example,” Ms Ingelse said.

There are lots of free planning tools to use for end of life planning including the plan a funeral section of the FCAA website.

The FCCA encourages families to take time to make decisions about funerals and memorial services.

Here are just a few suggestions:

·      Speak with family and friends for recommendations on choice of Funeral Celebrant and Funeral Director

·      Write a list of questions and talk to funeral providers. Compare their approach, services and quotes before making a provider decision

·      Reflect on funeral services you have attended – what made them a positive memory? What didn’t you like?

·      What rituals would positively reflect on the life of the deceased? (Ask your Funeral Celebrant for ideas)

·      Where would you like to hold the service and when? There are endless options.

·      Consider music, poetry, stories, artwork and other tributes options

·      How can children be involved in the service? (Decorate the coffin, display artwork, write and/or read special messages about the deceased, for example)

Funeral operators must comply with Australian laws. If you are unhappy with a service, you should speak with the provider. If you remain unsatisfied, speak with your state or territory fair trading or consumer affairs organisation.

“The death of a loved one is a very difficult time. Each person thinks and feels differently about death and grief processes. It is important to acknowledge these and be aware of support services to help those in need,” Ms Inglese added.

END                                                    

NOTES:

Funeral Celebrant Association Australia, established in 2007, is the only dedicated not-for-profit association dedicated to funeral celebrancy in Australia.

Our Funeral Celebrants across Australia work to a Code of Practice and commit to annual Professional Development.

Our website aims to answer consumer questions assist them in ensuring meaning funeral and memorial services for their loved ones.

Find an FCAA Funeral Celebrant at Find a Celebrant.

 

Spokespeople:

President and WA                   Di Ingelse, Perth, Ph 0409 928 688

Committee member, Qld       Judy Magub – Ph 0418 151 007

Committee member, NSW     Sharon Swinbourne, Sutherland Shire – Ph 0410 524 002

Treasurer and NSW                Joy Allen, Sydney         Ph 0407 304 236

Regional areas                                    Chris Longhurst, Riverina NSW – Ph 0400 982 636   

 

Social Media              Facebook @funeralcelebrantsaustralia and Instagram @funeralcelebrants

Email                           funeralcelebrants@gmail.com;