Remembering our Angels - 2025 Event
This year’s event theme was Keep Swimming, and families who have lost a baby or young child gathered in remembrance.
Tobin Brothers Remembering our Angels event
On Sunday the 23rd of November, families who have experienced the loss of a baby or child came together at our Doncaster chapel for a very special remembrance event.
Tobin Brothers has held Remembering our Angels events for the past 25 years. Each year we are honoured to be joined by many wonderful families, some we have known for many years, others coming for the first time.
This free event is open to anyone who has been touched by the loss of a baby or child. For more information and to find out more about future events, see our Remembering our Angels event page.
I was truly honoured to be a part of this special night. Seeing how families going through the same journey came together to support each other and some even making everlasting friendships, was quite moving. The effort that Julie went to make this special night come to life was amazing. As guests left they were so so grateful to us for making their night a memorable one, and thanked Tobin Brothers for hosting these special events knowing that every year they have this safe space to remember their angels.
A very special evening
This year’s service, led by Tobin Brothers Funeral Planner Julie Ladharam, was held at our Doncaster chapel and webcast for families at home.
Over 85 families registered for the event, coming together to honour the memory and legacy of their babies and children.
The theme was ‘Keep Swimming’, and saw the Doncaster chapel set up with a stunning ocean backdrop, which transformed into glowing ultra-violet lights towards the end of the service.
Families were invited to bring a symbol, photo or image of their child to place on the reflection table. They were also encouraged to bring a reading, letter, or piece of prose, if they wished, which they could keep with them, read aloud, or have it read for them.
The service opened with a creative video by Matt Weedon, called ‘I Will Keep Swimming’, which featured powerful ocean imagery and helped immerse the audience into the water theme.
Julie was joined by colleagues Tess Kruger and Julie Lim, who greeted our guests on arrival, assisted families in making their Christmas decorations, and cared for people throughout. Tess read out all the names of those being remembered and Julie assisted families in lighting candles to honour their loved ones.
Diamond Celebrations provided catering for the event and made Nemo-shaped cookies for families to take home.
Keep Swimming
This year’s Remembering our Angels service theme was based on award-winning Pixar movie, Finding Nemo.
The beloved children’s film explores the layers of grief experienced in the wake of loss, and the transitions one might experience after such an event.
The story of Finding Nemo centres on Nemo and his father Marlin, after the loss of Nemo’s mother Coral. We see Marlin’s devotion to his one surviving egg and his struggles with fear and unprocessed grief. We witness Marlin’s journey as he must face the very things he has worked hard to avoid in order to find his lost son and ultimately, overcome his grief.
Julie reflected on the metaphors for grief within the movie in a way that families could easily connect with.
Those that experience the loss of a baby or child will undoubtedly feel inexplicable grief, but how can we learn to accept it and live with it?
Last night I had the privilege - and I truly mean privilege - of joining many families at Remembering Our Angels at our Doncaster branch. There were families I recognised who have been attending for up to 20 years. One family remembered their daughter and reflected that this year she would have begun learning to drive. Moments like that are profoundly moving.
Thank you
Supporting families who have lost children is among the most challenging responsibilities we carry at Tobin Brothers. It is with great honour we hold these events and support families who experience infant and child loss.
From the bottom of our hearts, from all of us here at Tobin Brothers, thank you to all of the families who join us for these events and share your precious memories with us.
Thank you also to the staff members who work tirelessly to make these events happen. We know you have your own stories, and your own reasons for being so passionately involved, and we are so thankful for your commitment to making this event so special.
Find out more about our Remembering our Angels events or reach out to events@tobinbrothers.com.au to enquire about upcoming events.
"Truly Moving"
"To The Tobin Brothers staff, Last night I was blessed with the opportunity to take part in the service of 'Remembering Our Angels'. I was moved by the compassion and love your staff have for the people who come baring so much grief and the assistance this must give them in overcoming and moving through such a tragic event in their life especially at this time of the year. The effort and thoughtfulness you put into the service, from the warm welcome, to the storyline and decorations, topped of by refreshments to allow people in similar situations to connect and feel love at this time. A special thanks to Julie for the creativeness she brought to the service and well narrated storyline of Finding Nemo! Truly moving, keep up the great work. Thank you."
Tobin Brothers Funerals
Celebrating Lives Since 1934
