Virginia Lawrence | Funeral service & cemetery

Virginia Lawrence

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20.01.2022 Creative or creepy, helpful or horrid - what do you think? A funeral museum in Vienna is selling themed Lego sets. As well as the one shown below which costs just under 90 Euro, you can buy sets including a crematorium oven, a hearse, grieving family and skeleton, horse and carriage with a coffin, and a couple of others. These Lego sets were designed to help explain to children what happens after someone has died. I think they are a great idea. It is very hard to know how t...o talk about death, especially with children. How do you adequately answer their questions? Perhaps for some, toys like this can make things a little easier. Details are on the museum website https://shop.bestattungsmuseum.at//krematoriumsofen-aus-le

18.01.2022 This is Summer, the White Lady Funerals pet therapy dog. I was lucky to have a moment with her yesterday at the beautifully refurbished funeral home in South Melbourne. She's soft and silky, gentle, heart-meltingly gorgeous, and unfortunately I didn't manage to sneak away with her. Just look at those eyes!

17.01.2022 If you need a nudge to stand up and speak at a funeral or memorial service and would like to know how to write a killer eulogy then come along to my event on 16 October in Upwey. Find all the details at eventbrite.com.au/e/72211605857. Please share with anyone that might be interested.

16.01.2022 If youve ever owned a pet, you will know how heartbreaking it can be when they die. My grumpy, cuddly, beautiful cat Noodle died nearly five years ago, and I still miss having him around. He could be noisy, demanding, intolerant, picky, disruptive and unpredictable, but we loved him and he was an important member of the family (he was, in fact, the boss of all of us). I recently bought a lovely book called 'The Invisible Leash'. It is recommended for children aged four to ei...ght. If you have loved and lost a pet, this will speak to you no matter what your age. Ill admit; reading it always makes me a bit teary but in a good way! The books message reminds me of a Helen Keller quote that I sometimes use in my ceremonies: What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. The book features Zack, who just wants to be left alone. His dog Jojo was old and sick and has died. Zack knows that he will never see his dog again. He misses him. His friend Emily understands. Her cat Rexie died a while ago. She tells Zack how her Grandpa helped by explaining that even when our pets die, theyre not 'all the way gone'. We are still joined to them by an invisible leash that reaches far beyond where our eyes can see. The leashes let the animals run free but connect them to their owners hearts forever. Zack is sceptical. 'I only believe in things I can see' he says, and Emily explains its just like the wind we cant see it, but we can feel it. Zack gradually realises that he can still find Jojo in his memory. When he does, it feels like Jojo tugging on the leash from his end. It feels like love. I didnt notice it the first time I read the book as I was focussing on the words, but if you look carefully, you can get a glimpse of Jojo on each page. Hes always there, sometimes more and sometimes less, even though Zack is too caught up in his loss to feel him. Its a comforting thought. The Invisible Leash is written by Patrice Karst and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff Published by Little, Brown and Company Thanks to Christopher Cohen for the pic

14.01.2022 If bling is your thing, stay fabulous until the very end with one of these wonderful glitter coffins. I've got a few friends that I know would love these. Apparently, the glitter is totally biodegradable when buried, and does not give off any emissions when cremated. On the other hand, they are not made locally and have to be sent over from the UK. But then again, I also read that it is the same glitter used to make Jimmy Choos. I'm more of a wicker coffin type person, but must admit these are pretty special. I'd pick silver. You?

13.01.2022 How do you remember your loved ones? My garden is full of reminders of places, people and animals that I am far away from whether due to distance or death. I planted these little snowdrops for a baby lost in tragic circumstances a few years ago. I didn't know him or the family but I was involved due to my work. I felt I needed to do something to mark his short life and the impact he had on me. These buds appeared yesterday. I have been able to remember him with a smile.

10.01.2022 Did you know that Springvale Botanical Cemetery has a whole range of interesting events and activities going on? I went on a free tree walk there earlier this week. When I'm not working, I'm gardening, so it was a real treat to be shown around by Chris, the arborist for the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust. He looks after 15,560 trees just at Springvale! We all chatted as we walked and came away with lots of new knowledge about trees without even realising we were learning. Click on the link below to find out about more events coming up. I might see you there!

07.01.2022 What do celebrants do on their day off? I had a pyjama day today and curled up in front of the fire watching a whole series of 'The Casketeers'. It's a reality show following a funeral director in New Zealand, but I think it's really about love, family, kindness and tenderness. If you get a chance, try and watch it. https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81023023

05.01.2022 I'm throwing out a challenge today. I want everyone to 'Do A Frank'. Let me explain. Today is Frank's birthday, He was my father-in-law. He died recently on Anzac Day. Everyone who ever met him shares the same enduring memory of him; his beautiful, welcoming greeting. He would come forward with face beaming, hold out his hand, and cheerfully say hello. It didnt matter if he knew you or if you were a complete stranger, you always got the same lovely heart-warming welcome a...nd felt like he was really pleased to see you. Every. Single. Time. Even when he had dementia and had lost the ability to connect the face to the memory, nearly all his recognition gone. Even the last time I saw him conscious in hospital. He came out of his morphine-induce haze three times, grinned and said 'Hello' before going straight out again. We're all so busy and pre-occcupied, it can be easy to forget how important this small ritual is. We look past people, dismiss them, give a half-hearted meaningless greeting, get complacent about the ones who are close to us. I noticed recently that I was greeting friends and colleagues I hadn't seen for a while with way more energy and enthusiasm than my husband who means the world to me, but who I see every day. Let this be his legacy. That all of us, whoever we meet, whatever we feel like, wherever we are, we look them in the eye, smile a widely as we can, and say hello. This way his memory, his influence, his personality, will not just continue, but grow. Lets look for the best in others and give the best we have. Lets Do a Frank.

04.01.2022 Why do we place items in a coffin with our loved one? These are a few of the things that were buried with my father-in-law recently. A practical and self-sufficient man, he was always fixing/making/adjusting things and he always had within reach a length of rope, some wire, whiteout, and tape. Blutak was his go-to of first resort. The family agreed on a list of things to go with him, some shown here. We also included his glasses, a carpenter's pencil, Brylcreem and a comb. We... all knew he wouldn't be able to use them, but I think in a strange way, it somehow made it easier to let him go knowing that he was equipped for whatever may happen. Most of all, I think it was another way to say 'We love you'. If you've popped something in with your loved one, please tell me about it. What did you leave in the coffin, and why? How did it make you feel? See more

03.01.2022 Ever since I can remember, I've always had the same breakfast on Good Friday; hot cross buns and boiled egg. This year's Easter weekend is different in so many ways, and I'm missing seeing my extended family. For me, being able to continue traditions in isolation at home is reassuring and comforting. The ancient shared traditions (and also our own private invented silly traditions) remind me who I am and connect me with my family, my ancestors, my culture. And this one tastes good too!

03.01.2022 This is a fascinating little read... https://medium.com//dying-words-arent-what-i-imagined-60d0

03.01.2022 My 7 year old granddaughter made this card for her Nonna when her elderly cat died. I'm not sure whether it would have given Nonna much comfort, especially as the whole card portrays 6 beloved deceased pets, but I kind of admire the matter-of-factness and acceptance of death that it displays.

01.01.2022 Welcome to my new business page. I felt I should have a special place to share thoughts, experiences, stories, news, and images from the world of funerals. It feels like an exciting time to be involved in this industry. I think people are starting to realise that they have a say in how they want their loved ones remembered, and that they don't have to stick to the usual formula. I love listening to families, finding out what their idea of a perfect ceremony is, and then walking alongside as we make it happen. I'm honoured to be entrusted to tell these stories, shine a light on these lives, and to be there at a time of need.