I am Cate Brockbank your Funeral Arranger, Funeral Director and Celebrant from Freshwater Funerals.

If someone you know is close to the end of their life or has died - I will be available to support you in preparing a funeral that makes you feel like your person has truly been recognised. 

A funeral is an occasion that gives families and friends time and space to grieve a loss in their lives. 

Even when a death is expected due to a long illness, nothing prepares us for the day they will no longer be around. 

Grief can be audible and heart-wrenching or it can be a peaceful relief that the person is now at rest.

However that grieve and loss when it is so new and fresh is different from one person to another. 

As a funeral arranger, I will do everything I can to make this process as easy as possible for you and the family and friends. 

My core value is to CARE

Show Compassion for your loss
Pay Attention to detail of how you would like me to arrange the funeral
Respect your wishes and the wishes of your family and the wishes of the deceased if they have left any specific requests. 
I am Empathetic by nature and will support you at this time of sadness. 

Guiding you through the steps can be a healing experience and creating a beautiful ceremony for your loved one is both an honour and a gratitude that you would ask me to help you.

MAKING DEATH AFFORDABLE 

I charge a Directors fee depending on what you need without a Service Fee.

If your pockets are not deep but you still want a beautiful service and ceremony. I can do this for you.

Ways to Save but still give your loved one a beautiful send-off:

As your Funeral Director I will give you options.

Many of my funerals have included family members taking a role in preparing for the funeral. 
For example:
      A nephew who is a graphic designer to design the order of Service Brochure
    A Granddaughter who is a florist to create the flower arrangements for the coffin and venue.
    A husband who can use Canva or similar to create the picture tribute. 
    A musician friend to play at the funeral   
    You can even prepare in advance someone in the family who is a carpenter to create a coffin or an Urn
     Friends to bring food platters for the Wake
Many people feel it is a privilege to be asked to help with arranging the funeral and often the cost are reduced because of these special people.

I you wish me to do everything, I have professional companies who will do a beautiful job of creating flowers, order of service, music and picture tribute.

I will only charge you my Funeral Director Fee - $1300
A separate of combined price for FD and Celebrant - $1800
Celebrant only Price - $980.
All other costs are additional and charged at the rate that the professional companies charge


You will find some interesting articles I have created to assist you with a funeral

Before Death:
Call me and I will come to your home to talk to you about what options you have.
Your special person may want to be involved in this conversation.
It is their end of life we are arranging and often they have wishes that want to be included in their funeral.

After Death:

First call me to arrange for the deceased to be transported to a mortuary who will take your person into their care. this can be prepared prior to a death. 

We can now arrange a meeting at your home to discuss exactly what you would like to happen for your loved one. 

Things you may wish to think about early on:
  What music
  What photos
  Which photos for the Order of Service and the Hero Photo to put on an A-frame
  Who would you like to invite - do they have a contact list
  Do you wish to have a Newspaper Notice or a Social Media Notice
  Design of the Order of Service
  Flowers or Plants as decoration
  What you'd like on the Memorial Table
  What would your person like us to wear to celebrate their life - A colour or a touch of their favourite colour. 

Options Below:

1. Cremation only with No Service and No Attendance
2. Cremation with a Service at a convenient time & place with the Ashes present 
3. Cremation with a Service at a convenient time and place where the Ashes are scattered, planted or sent skyward in fireworks.
4. Service at a Special Venue followed by a Cremation
5. Service at a Crematorium followed by a Cremation or a Burial

I have put some ideas below to give you ideas:

1. Cremation only with No Service and No Attendance

I would arrange this service:
The cost of the Transfer of your loved-one from their death bed to the Mortuary,
There is minimal cost for mortuary to prepare the deceased person for Cremation,
The cost of the Cremation - depends on the crematorium.
Arrangement Costs which include all paperwork, Doctors Certificates & BDM Death Certificate
I will deliver your loved-ones ashes to your home.  
    Additional costs may include:
Extra nights at the Mortuary,
Preparation and a vigil with a viewing at the mortuary, 
A Special Urn for Scattering Ashes later
 

2. Cremation first with a Service at a convenient time & place with the Ashes present and a Memorial Table

I would arrange a service as above with no Service prior to Cremation. 
After an in-depth discussion with the family, we will put all necessary arrangements in place at a venue that suits the family at a time that suits the family. 

The Arrangement:
Helping you chose the venue
Deciding on what flowers you would like and the preparation of the table with the Ashes in a lovely container 
Offering suggestions for containers or urns
Helping you choose a video streaming company, photographer or videographer
The Celebrant Services to oversee the Ceremony and Eulogies
Order of Service brochures
Catering can be arranged by a company of choice for the Wake

3. Cremation with a Service at a convenient time and place where the Ashes are scattered, planted or sent skyward in fireworks.

I would arrange a service as above with no Service prior to Cremation. 
After an in-depth discussion with the family, we will put all necessary arrangements in place at a venue that suits the family at a time that suits the family. 
   
The Arrangement:
 
Helping you chose the Venue - Indoors or Outdoors
Offering ideas for how and were to scatter the ashes, a paddle-out, from a boat - Funerals Afloat, a bio-urn, a tree planted somewhere special or sending you loved one off in a flash of fireworks. 
Deciding on what Flowers you would like and the preparation of the table with the Ashes in a lovely container 
Offering suggestions for containers or urns
The Celebrant to oversee the Ceremony and Eulogies with a battery operated sound system
Helping you choose a video streaming company, photographer or videographer
Order of Service brochures
Catering can be arranged by a company of choice for the Wake

4. Service at a Special Venue followed by a Cremation

The Arrangement:
I would arrange this service which will include 
The cost of Transferring his/her/they body to the Mortuary
Mortuary Services -Preparation of the deceased - Either a basic preparation if the body is not going to be seen by family, or a preservation of the deceased for viewing by the family.
Days stay at the mortuary and Medical cause of death certificates required by law
Viewing of your loved one's body prior to cremation can be at the Mortuary or at the CrematoriumCremation & BDM Death certificate Decide on the Crematorium you wish to use.

As a Funeral Director, I will book the Crematorium for after the Service.

Help you chose a coffin or casket you would like to have present at the service.
Flowers for the coffin and venue
You will need a hearse to take the coffin to the crematorium. 
Pall Barers can be family members or hiring of staff to carry the coffin in and out. 
Your Celebrant will oversee the Ceremony and Eulogies & farewell your loved one.
           I will write the script to depict the legacy of your loved one.
           I will ensure the service runs on time and I will support your through giving your eulogy. 
Video streaming by for family and friends who cannot make the funeral - Arranged by myself.
Choose a photographer or videographer if you feel this is necessary
A pictorial tribute with music and holding slides
     The Family will need to send them the pictures on "We Transfer" or a USB or MP3 or MP4.  
Order of Service brochures - done by a designer and printing company
Catering for the Wake - is usually available from the venue or can be hired in. 

5. Service at a Crematorium followed by a Cremation or a Burial

The Arrangement:
I would arrange this service which will include 
The cost of Transferring his/her/they body to the Mortuary
Mortuary Services -
Preparation of the deceased - Either a basic preparation if the body is not going to be seen by family, or a preservation of the deceased for viewing by the family.
Days stay at the mortuary and Medical cause of death certificates required by law
Viewing of your loved one's body prior to cremation can be at the Mortuary or at the Crematorium
Cremation & BDM Death certificate
 
Decide on the Crematorium you wish to use.

As a Funeral Director registered with the Crematorium, I will book the Crematorium with enough time that prevents      a over-time fee. 
Help you chose a coffin or casket you would like to have present at the service.
Flowers for the coffin and venue
You may or may not need a hearse.
This will depend if you wish the coffin to be in place before guest arrive or have the coffin arrive in a hearse and be placed by family members. There is no need to have hearse after the ceremony unless the coffin is being taken to a burial site. 

I can be your Celebrant and oversee the Ceremony and Eulogies & farewell your loved one.
I will write the script to depict the legacy of your loved one.
I will ensure the service runs on time and I will support your through giving your eulogy. 

Video streaming is usually arranged by the crematorium - they will give you a link to send to friends
Choose a photographer or videographer if you feel this is necessary
A pictorial tribute with music and holding slides - Perhaps you know someone who would take on this important role. You will need to send them the pictures on "We Transfer" or a USB or MP3 or MP4. Details will be sent to you as to how to go about this. 

Order of Service brochures - done by a designer and printing company

Catering for the Wake - is usually available on-site if you choose this option.