At Tobin Brothers, we encourage families to be as creative as the dare to be when honouring a loved one.
For ideas about the different types of ceremonies you can include in your service, please read on.
If you have any questions about the information contained in this blog post, or anything funeral-related at all, please call our Funeral Advice Line on 13 19 34.
As well as being a beautiful and calming ritual to witness or be a part of, there are various symbolic meanings to the release of doves that bring comfort to those attending.
A single white dove released into the sky may represent the spirit of the deceased journeying to a final resting place, while three white doves can have a religious connotation, said to symbolise the Holy Trinity.
Doves appear in many cultures and religions as signs of peace, hope, love and freedom, and add a touch of beauty and dignity to any service.
Whether you include a single dove, or are interested in an entire flock of birds, we can arrange this for you.
It’s not for everyone, but some families like to incorporate professional photography into their send off, particularly the procession and ceremony.
Including professional photography in a funeral service tends to be less about static portrait-style photos of guests, but rather, is about capturing the essence of the memorial, and the celebration of life.
Please speak with a funeral director if you are interested in having photography or videography as a part of a funeral service.
The ceremony of lighting candles during a service originated from the Romans belief that the light would guide the departed to eternal light.
A champagne toast can be a fitting send off for our dearly departed, and you’re welcome to toast with any beverage you’d prefer, be it wine, beer, or even soft drink.
We would recommend making sure that there is something for kids and non-drinkers to also toast with, and consumption is kept to a minimum during the ceremony.
Talk to your funeral planner today to organise a champagne toast for your loved one.
For many families, the dinner table is a meeting point throughout the course of our lives, where stories are told, and both laughter and tears are shared alongside delicious meals with loved ones.
Having the family congregate over a special dinner in honour of their loved one, or meeting for a relaxed picnic farewell, can be a touching tribute as well as a lasting memory.
Having a butterfly release as part of a service can help to create a stunning ceremony of reflection and beauty.
The butterfly is a symbol of transformation and resurrection, representing new life, freedom, and the beginning of a new journey.
Releasing a butterfly, or several butterflies, as part of a ceremony symbolises ‘freeing the spirit’ and ‘sending love skyward’.
For some people, a church or chapel is the right setting for their farewell.
For others, it might be better suited for their service to be held somewhere that reflects the life they lived, be it a venue associated with their hobbies, career, personality or something else.
Over the years, we have held funerals at a range of venues, including many interesting and unconventional locations not usually associated with a funeral service.
Some ideas you might wish to consider include:
If you have a venue in mind, or would like to consider an alternative venue for a funeral service, speak to your funeral director for options.
Whether it’s having all guests attending wear colours, or a specific colour, or having an overall theme featuring their favourite footy team, music or TV show, a special interest, or something else entirely, we can help you make arrangements for a themed funeral for your loved one.
Ways of incorporating themes in a service include location, decor, floral arrangements, catering options, performers, music, and more.
Just some of the themes we’ve see over the years include:
We can help you create a lasting memory through a themed funeral service for your loved one.
Speak with your Funeral Planner for more information or to start planning a themed service.
While flowers are most commonly associated with a funeral service décor, there are many creative ways to farewell a loved one.
Some of these may include:
This list is nowhere near exhaustive, so if you have any ideas or would like to know more about decorations for a service, reach out to your Funeral Planner to discuss your options.
At Tobin Brothers, our funeral planners work with you to create a celebration of life that reflects the person being honoured with authenticity and dignity.
We are serious when we say we can arrange anything so long as it is legal. If you have something in mind, or want to include something special but aren’t sure exactly what, please reach out to your Funeral Planner.
To speak to one of our friendly staff, please call our 24 hour Funeral Advice Line on 13 19 34.
To explore personalisation options and get a quick and easy fee proposal, download the FREE Memory Maker app today.
Celebrating Lives Since 1934
The first funeral conducted by Tobin Brothers Funerals was for Ena Margaret Price in 1934. In its first year, the company conducted 53 funerals and after the payment of creditors and the collection of debts, it made a modest profit.
