Journal

Beyond the hall. Where else a funeral can happen.

A graveside under a tree. The back verandah. The bowls club. A paddock with a gum tree. If a hall isn't right, there's still a whole district to choose from.

A funeral in a hall. How it actually works.

Who brings the coffin in? How long do you have? What about the kitchen? The practical side of holding a funeral somewhere that isn't a funeral home.

Freestone Hall and the case for the small country hall

Every village on the Southern Downs has a hall. Most of them hire for less than a tank of fuel. And they're already the place where everyone gathers.

Where I want to be buried

And it's important to acknowledge, because I don't want to turn natural burial into some sort of green funeral marketing exercise where we only count the things that make our preferred choice look good.

A funeral at The Summit Hall

A restored timber hall on the Granite Belt, rebuilt by its own community after a fire. This is what a funeral looks like when it happens somewhere with a story of its own.

What actually makes a natural burial?

A funeral doesn't have to happen in a funeral home

There is no rule in Queensland that says a funeral must be held in a funeral chapel. It can happen in a hall, at the graveside, at home, or anywhere else that means something to you.

Letters to my grandchildren

It’s been quite some time since my last REAL post. A lot has been happening, in life and in the business. A lot is going on in the world.

Why Rest Exists

Rest didn't begin with a business plan. It began with losing my mum.

Farewell little one

In her short time here, she brought a quiet beauty into the world. Her presence was brief, like a sigh, yet the love that welcomed her ran deep.

C is for COFFIN, CASKET and ... CAPSULE?

In her short time here, she brought a quiet beauty into the world. Her presence was brief, like a sigh, yet the love that welcomed her ran deep.

P is for PROCESS, POWER and PREPARATION

Knowing who to call is the first step when someone dies. In this blog, I’m going to let you know what to do, who to call and what happens next.

V is for Vigil

**Vigil** is the time spent being present with someone who is actively dying.

A is for Ashes

Vigil is the time spent being present with someone who is actively dying.

Last Ride

On a beautiful day, Ray took his last ride home and into the hands of his loving wife.

Music

We talked about how music is such a trigger - no matter how detached you might be - to turn on the waterworks.

Say My Name

I've read and shared many quotes relating to death and dying.

A Stanthorpe funeral

In her short time here, she brought a quiet beauty into the world. Her presence was brief, like a sigh, yet the love that welcomed her ran deep.

How one can DIY a funeral in Queensland

A DIY funeral is not as hard as you might think. The biggest barrier to carrying out a funeral at home is how our system is geared.