Whole Heart Australia in Geelong, Victoria | Funeral service & cemetery

Whole Heart Australia

Locality: Geelong, Victoria

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25.01.2022 Margaretha’s mother died recently (isn’t the photo of her mum, Maretha gorgeous ), and like others in this season Margaretha was unable to attend her funeral or even give her a final hug. Margaretha wrote this beautiful reflection about the power of friendship and community in helping each of us mourn those we Iove. Our tickets were bought, presents for the family sorted and our bags nearly packed to visit my mum on another continent for her birthday in April when COVID m...ade us cancel everything. Every phone call we promised to get on the first plane to visit as soon as we can... and then my beautiful mum, who loved flowers, passed away on Spring Day. There was no way we could leave Australia, and with tight restrictions in place limiting gatherings to ten people, my family back home could not even organise a funeral for her. We had to resort to celebrating her life online. With no other family in Australia, the community in my country town were so supportive with bunches of flowers and plates of food arriving at my front door, and many other favours done for us. Yesterday I went back to my dragon boat club for a training session and my dragon family did something very special. They organised a beautiful tribute for my mum, although only one of them had ever met her. We paddled to the middle of the lake, the coach read out a tribute, a friend read a beautiful poem, the drum beat sounded ten times and everyone cast flowers on the water. By the time we got back after training, all the flowers had floated back to our launch area. It was such a beautiful and kind gesture by these dear friends to have given me a tangible ceremony in real life that combined my mothers loves: water, flowers and nature. See more

24.01.2022 Have you read 'Option B' by Sheryl Sandberg? Sheryl co-wrote it with psychologist Adam Grant in 2015. Such great insights into how to support yourself and others during times of grief.

23.01.2022 In the winter of 2020 I met Jenna. From the first moment that I met her and husband Brent together I knew that they made an incredible team. In the midst of crisis their home was a place of calm, as Jenna balanced the roles of grieving mother and toddler mum in the most courageous way. Together we created some ways to have conversation with big brother Easton, but it was him who told us that his baby sister 'Sachi' had gone to live in the stars. This week I asked Jenna how... she felt about Mother's Day and these were her thoughts- "Whilst I wish that Sachi could be here for Mother's Day and feel sadness that she won't, I also remind myself how incredibly blessed I am to be a mother to her and Easton. Mum is the greatest title they've ever given me and I'm forever grateful to have Easton in my arms and Sachi in my heart." Jenna, you are a wonderful Mum. See more

22.01.2022 We made these last night for a special chain of hearts ceremony today. Each heart represents a special love, a memory or a hope. At the end of todays ceremony these hearts will go home with a young girl to remind her of how loved her mum was.

21.01.2022 Melissa wrote a beautiful storybook as a conversation starter for her own young children about the loss of their grandparents. As a way of helping other parents she has made 'Through the tears' available at no cost for online reading on Amazon with hard copies available for purchase. https://www.amazon.com.au/Through-Tears-Melissa//ref=nodl_

21.01.2022 +10! 10 more grandchildren, 10 more school friends, 10 mates from the footy club, 10 cousins, 10 who want to say farewell.... Today attendance numbers at funerals rise from 10 to 20 in regional Victoria. That's 20 mourners plus funeral staff. We will keep doing our very best to engage and create moments for those viewing online but it will be lovely to have more faces in the room.

21.01.2022 Shared observations between teachers and caregivers are valuable in providing relevant support for the grieving child. Teamwork makes the dreamwork! It is reasonable that a child who is grieving may display temporary academic, social or behavioural regressions. Talk to classroom teachers about setting up a method of daily communication with school that is simple and achievable for both parent and school until you are sure that your child is comfortable in the school envi...ronment. Trying to speak to teachers in person before and after school each day is rushed and often inconvenient for both parties. Simple but effective methods of daily communication may include- Short emails SMS messaging Diary notes Communication via Compass #childhood #parenting #parenthood #parenting101 #grief #teacherproblems #teacherlife #teacherfollowteacher #bereavement #bereavementsupport #mumlife #dadlife #aussiekids #earlyyearsideas #primaryschool #startingschool #geelong #mykids #wellbe See more

20.01.2022 ‘Side by side conversations’ take place while child and caregiver are doing something together. Some scenarios with great opportunity for side by side conversations include: When colouring-in together While playing Lego together Making and packing school lunches together... While playing table tennis While taking a walk The time and focus spent together on the ‘physical’ activity is relaxing and promotes relationship while giving opportunity for a relaxed conversational style of question and answer between child and caregiver. #parenting #parenthood #primaryteacher #primaryschool #parenting101 #parentingtips #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherlife #grief #childhood #bereavement #geelong #startingschool #startingschool2021

18.01.2022 It is always a privilege to help write down a life story. When the person was born in 1917, it is a beautiful and unique experience. This memory was one of my favourites from this week.... "Enlisted in the WRAF at the beginning of WW2 she met a man who flew Lancaster Bombers. He was later to become her husband."

18.01.2022 Our hearts are with all families who have lost a loved one during this season of isolation lockdown. It is a difficult and challenging time for so many. As COVID restrictions in Victoria continue to limit families to having just 10 guests attend funeral services, we are increasing our creativity and are committed to helping families create personal and unique farewell services.

16.01.2022 Everyone we have loved leaves an imprint on our heart. ‘The ones I love’ is a nice activity for carer and child to do together at home or this can be used in a small group school or therapeutic setting. Perfect for creating space for conversation when adults and children sit and participate together. ... We recommend this activity for use with 6-10 year olds. Use playdough to complete this activity with younger children, creating and then breaking a modelled heart apart to show all the people a child loves.

15.01.2022 Thanks for the reminder Kat! Today is a great day to remind someone how much you treasured their loved one! Send a text, give them a call, write a note or tag them below. Photo cred @leorivas

13.01.2022 17 year old Lauren died in July 2020 after being diagnosed with glioblastoma in October 2018. Her mum, Kerri and sister Sophie are two women that we have got to know and have so much admiration for. 1700 people are diagnosed with brain cancer each year and there is only limited community awareness of the disease. Lauren’s final wish to her family was that they helped raise $ and awareness for brain cancer. The most beautiful, shiny, purple helium balloon was chosen at Lauren’s funeral to represent this wish. Please donate if you can using this web address- https://my.walk4braincancer.com.au/walk4braincan/teamlauren

13.01.2022 Peace of Mind Foundation have done a wonderful job of adapting to ‘COVID life’ and running their support groups online. Please see dates for brain tumour Bereavement support groups coming up in September.

13.01.2022 Today's moments.... tomorrow's memories. @cantrellskii

12.01.2022 Make some memories this weekend.

12.01.2022 Conversation about death can make others feel uneasy. Talking to children about death is viewed by many as taboo! Children who have experienced the death of a loved one need the opportunity to talk about their experiences, if and when they want to. This can create some unusual scenarios that will make many adults want to run and hide! As caregiver you can help your child navigate this world by helping communicate with school teachers and other parents. Model to other adu...lts the language that you use at home to talk to your child about death and grief. It is ok to talk about a funeral for show and tell and Monday morning journal writing about going to the cemetery on the weekend is fine as well! #bereavement #school #parenting #teacherproblems #teacherfollowteacher #earlyyears #earlylearning #primaryschool #teachertips #tea See more See more

11.01.2022 Record your story. It is important and unique. Some stories are long. Some stories are short. All are incredible. Have you written down your thoughts, feelings and experiences during pandemic isolation? What we have each experienced during 2020 (and continue to experience) is part of our story now. Record it for yourself or record it for future generations. @bradneathery

10.01.2022 Today is National Grief Awareness Day. We have personally had our own experiences with grief but we are also very aware that none of us know or understand what another is going through. We may not comprehend the grief or trauma that the person we pass in the street may have experienced. We at Whole Heart want to pledge to try and be better in our responses, our care, our understanding and our kindness. Want to pledge with us? #griefawarenessday2020 #wewillbebetter

07.01.2022 What a beautiful service to provide.

06.01.2022 This is both an inspiring and terrifying thought! With a little more time at home this week to put some thoughts together I'm going to make some little insta videos around this topic. Let me know if you have any questions or issues that I could look at. Kristy x

06.01.2022 Today was full of moments. I had the privilege of conducting a funeral for a vivacious lady who worked as an actress. Collaborating with friends, family and company colleagues we incorporated many tributes to her theatrical work and writings in the service. One of the most beautiful and emotional moments was when talented composer Harry, performed an original classical guitar piece over a track with snippets of the actresses voice. What a moment of reflection. Each funeral is so individual and special, the details help pay tribute to a unique life and legacy.

06.01.2022 Kids, tweens and teens who are great at talking about their feelings and are good at emotional self-regulation have been taught these skills and had them modelled to them by caregivers. Kids need safe spaces to practise talking about their feelings when they feel sad. We love all of Trace Moroney's books, but particularly love 'When I'm feeling sad'. This book teaches that it is okay to sit with sadness but also that sadness doesn't last forever and there are helpful things that we can do to help us in our sad times. Start with this one age 2 and reinforce the teachings every year after!

05.01.2022 It’s the taboo subject that no one talks about and very few understand. But after suffering three miscarriages, Tahyna MacManus decided it was time to speak abo...ut the unspeakable. Now on #60Mins, women all over the world, including Hollywood stars, are sharing their stories of pregnancy loss in hopes that miscarriage and its emotional impact will finally be understood. See more

05.01.2022 A couple of months ago I met Bec. She is a mum warrior. I wanted to tell you all about how amazing she is. Bec is the mother of 8 children. She is so competent and she cares for them so completely. Bec rang me one afternoon to ask me to help plan a funeral for her beautiful 23 year old daughter. It was my honour to help. This beautiful family, led so courageously by Bec planned such a unique funeral service. Every detail was overseen by Bec personally and was full of ...a mother's love. I stood by and watched as siblings hand decorated a white coffin with butterfly stickers. Bec's current concern is helping her 3 year old granddaughter as she grieves for her mum. They visit the cemetery together and put lovely things in 'mum's garden'. I know that everyday is a difficult one for you at the moment Bec but I could not admire the love of a mother and grandmother more than that which you example. Thanks for giving me permission to share your story Bec. xx See more

03.01.2022 Thinking of the mums who are by our side and the ones we wish were by our side, the would-like-to-be mums, the ill mums, the sad mums, the new mums, the expectant mums, the grandmas who stand in the space of mum and the aunts and friends who share the load of mums. Each of us is on a journey. I hope you can find a moment of love in yours this weekend. xx

03.01.2022 As we prepare for Mother's Day this weekend I have been thinking about some of the incredible women that I have met this year. To say they are only inspiring doesn't seem enough (although they are incredibly inspirational!), they are also gracious, thankful, thoughtful and brave- so very brave. This beautiful lady is Kerri. It has been my privilege to get to know her in the last 9 months. She is a wonderful mother. (You are an incredible daughter too Sophie !) This photo was taken last week when we held a memorial to celebrate her daughter's 18th birthday. When we held Lauren's funeral last year under Covid restrictions only close family could attend so it was wonderful to have the opportunity to bring her friends together this year. 'Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.' -Nora Ephron

02.01.2022 Sometimes it is too hard to get all of the thoughts in your head out and turn them into words. Shell and sand play is a lovely way to reflect and remember days at the beach with Dad without needing to say anything.

01.01.2022 Treasure the memories.

01.01.2022 When my position was made redundant last year my daily circle of connection suddenly became quite small. The grief of job loss and change was something I had expected but I had underestimated the daily challenge of disconnect. Although some friends provided comfort, the hard-work of feeling reconnected was something that I needed to do myself. 'The invisible string' written by Patrice Karst, is a beautiful storybook that can be used to help teach children about connection and prepare them for times when they will need this resilience. It's a lovely resource to use when talking about separation anxiety, loneliness and loss. For more details take a look in the comments.