Uniquely You Celebrations

31/08/2024

Thinking off all the special Dads today on Fathers’ Day 🥰

29/06/2024

I find this extremely powerful and beautiful 🌻 Tap on the photo to see it all.
(attributed to the Uplifting Journeys FB Page)

22/05/2024

Grief is a difficult personal journey and it’s not always easy to reach out to family and friends for support. Please know that there are professional services that you can contact at any time of the day or night that will provide assistance should you need it.

Grief Line - 1300845745
Beyond Blue - 1300224636
Lifeline - 131114

I would also encourage anyone who is struggling with the process of grieving a loved one to contact your GP. They will be able to offer some helpful additional support.

Take care everyone
Katie x

11/05/2024

24/12/2023

Thinking of all those who have an empty chair at the table this holiday season. May you fill that space with love and gratitude to accompany your grief 💛

03/09/2022

To all the amazing Dads, both near and far ❤️

07/05/2022

On Mothers' Day ... ❤

24/04/2022

World war vector created by winkimages - www.freepik.com

19/02/2022

31/12/2021

Wishing everyone health and happiness as the page turns on a new chapter x

24/12/2021

Christmas cheer and best wishes to all the lovely families I have had the honour of walking beside ❤
Credit - musicandsunshine.com

10/11/2021

We will remember them ...

08/05/2021

In celebration of all the beautiful Mums - those we hold in our arms, and those we hold forever in our hearts ❤ Happy Mothers' Day!
(credit goodhousekeeping.com)

24/04/2021

Vector Vectors by Vecteezy

03/04/2021

Wishing all my special families a relaxing and enjoyable Easter x

31/12/2020

With love to you and yours x

24/12/2020

Wishing all the beautiful families I've had the privilege of meeting a Merry Christmas. As we celebrate today with loved ones, we remember the special yesterdays shared with others we have held dear xx

05/09/2020

Celebrating all the lovely Dads today: appreciating those who are beside us and remembering those who are watching over us x

09/05/2020

“A mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go.” (Unknown) ...
For all the special Mums that are, that were and are yet to be x

24/04/2020

My family will be proudly standing on our driveway at dawn tomorrow in honour of the courageous souls who sacrificed their lives so that we may experience and enjoy our freedoms.

26/03/2020

UPDATED 26th March 2020:

Since my last post (included below for your information), in response to the latest COVID19 developments, effective today the Australian Government has placed further restrictions on Funerals and Memorial services.

What does this now mean for families who have lost a loved one?

You currently still have the option of holding a Funeral or Memorial Service in an indoor chapel or outdoor space, providing the newly imposed limits of 'a maximum of 10 people' are adhered to, along with the required social distancing of 1.5m radius between people. At this time it is my understanding that the 'maximum of 10 people' limit is INCLUSIVE OF YOUR FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND CELEBRANT, which means that up to 8 FAMILY MEMBERS will be able to attend.

The government has indicated that there may be an avenue to apply for special consideration in certain cases to allow an additional 1 or 2 family members to attend a Funeral or Memorial service. Your Funeral Director should be able to provide additional information on this.

The option of live streaming your service is available in many Chapels which allows extended family members and friends to view the service in real time. Services can still be recorded in most Chapels to allow loved ones and friends to view the service at a later time.

A direct cremation with a Memorial Service to be held at a later date once restrictions are relaxed is also an option for larger families and extended friendship circles, particularly those who would prefer to wait until everyone can safely gather together in one place to celebrate the life of a loved one.

Remember ... there are still options available and I (along with your Funeral Director) am here to help in any way I can.

Stay safe
Katie 💟

PREVIOUS POST FROM 24th March 2020:

Funerals and Memorial Services in times of Social Distancing ...

Good morning all. What an unprecedented few weeks we have seen worldwide ... and it appears we will be in this for the long haul.

While responsible social distancing means that, for a while at least, it will be a little more challenging to show physical support with hand shakes and hugs, please don't feel like you are alone in these times of uncertainty. Even though loved ones and friends may be physically a little further away, the bonds we share remain strong and will help us through even the most difficult and emotional of times.

Many of you will by now be aware that from 12 noon today Australia will commence a nationwide Stage 1 Shutdown of non-essential services. With further restrictions relating to gatherings, naturally many are unsure as to the implications this will have on Funerals and Memorial Services.

Now more than ever before it remains of vital importance for the emotional well-being of family and friends that they continue to have an opportunity to mourn the loss, and celebrate the life, of a loved one who has passed. Funeral and Memorial services are currently still able to proceed, but there are a few measures that Chapels and Funeral Homes will no doubt be taking in order to maintain strict social distancing guidelines for the safety of our circles and our communities.

As a consequence of the newly imposed '1 person per 4 square metres' social distancing rule, indoor Chapels will no doubt be restricting the number of physical attendees at services. So this means that for an indoor Chapel that would normally advertise a seating capacity of 100 (with chairs close together), this will likely now be limited to fewer than 20 attendees in total. Given that there are often more than 20 people who wish to attend a Funeral or Memorial service, naturally these new restrictions have the capacity to cause further distress to many during an already emotional and difficult time. But rest assured that there are other options available to families moving forward.

With regards to planning the service, in this day and age of technology meetings can always be conducted through a variety of online aps and forums. To allow for social distancing, I am happy to offer FaceTime or video calls to families to arrange services. Alternatively, telephone and email communications are always available to those families without access to video chat services and who wish to maintain self isolation.

In relation to the actual Funeral or Memorial Service, some Chapels offer a 'live stream' option which allows family and friends to view the service online in 'real time'. This means that immediate family of up to the maximum allowed numbers for your chosen Chapel can physically attend the service, whilst other loved ones and friends can still feel a part of the service in real time. Your Funeral Director will be able to recommend a facility that is equipped to provide this service.

Most Chapels are equipped to record services. Should you choose to proceed with a more intimate family gathering to farewell your loved one, other family members and friends will be able to view the recorded service when they are ready or able to do so.

You can consider an outdoor 'direct cremation' Memorial Service. For this option the cremation takes place ahead of time and family and friends then gather in a large and well ventilated outdoor space for a Memorial Service, respecting the social distancing guidelines. The format of this service can mirror that of an indoor Funeral service, and this option will allow for a larger number of physical attendees.

Whatever your situation, your Funeral Director will be able to assist you in navigating any requirements, in line with new restrictions in place. Just ask them any questions you may have.

And whatever choice you make, please know that I will continue to be here to help you plan and conduct a beautiful farewell for your loved one, in a socially responsible manner.

Take care of each other.

Katie 💟

22/03/2020

Funerals and Memorial Services in times of Social Distancing ...

Good morning all. What an unprecedented few weeks we have seen worldwide ... and it appears we will be in this for the long haul.

While responsible social distancing means that, for a while at least, it will be a little more challenging to show physical support with hand shakes and hugs, please don't feel like you are alone in these times of uncertainty. Even though loved ones and friends may be physically a little further away, the bonds we share remain strong and will help us through even the most difficult and emotional of times.

Many of you will by now be aware that from 12 noon today Australia will commence a nationwide Stage 1 Shutdown of non-essential services. With further restrictions relating to gatherings, naturally many are unsure as to the implications this will have on Funerals and Memorial Services.

Now more than ever before it remains of vital importance for the emotional well-being of family and friends that they continue to have an opportunity to mourn the loss, and celebrate the life, of a loved one who has passed. Funeral and Memorial services are currently still able to proceed, but there are a few measures that Chapels and Funeral Homes will no doubt be taking in order to maintain strict social distancing guidelines for the safety of our circles and our communities.

As a consequence of the newly imposed '1 person per 4 square metres' social distancing rule, indoor Chapels will no doubt be restricting the number of physical attendees at services. So this means that for an indoor Chapel that would normally advertise a seating capacity of 100 (with chairs close together), this will likely now be limited to fewer than 20 attendees in total. Given that there are often more than 20 people who wish to attend a Funeral or Memorial service, naturally these new restrictions have the capacity to cause further distress to many during an already emotional and difficult time. But rest assured that there are other options available to families moving forward.

With regards to planning the service, in this day and age of technology meetings can always be conducted through a variety of online aps and forums. To allow for social distancing, I am happy to offer FaceTime or video calls to families to arrange services. Alternatively, telephone and email communications are always available to those families without access to video chat services and who wish to maintain self isolation.

In relation to the actual Funeral or Memorial Service, some Chapels offer a 'live stream' option which allows family and friends to view the service online in 'real time'. This means that immediate family of up to the maximum allowed numbers for your chosen Chapel can physically attend the service, whilst other loved ones and friends can still feel a part of the service in real time. Your Funeral Director will be able to recommend a facility that is equipped to provide this service.

Most Chapels are equipped to record services. Should you choose to proceed with a more intimate family gathering to farewell your loved one, other family members and friends will be able to view the recorded service when they are ready or able to do so.

You can consider an outdoor 'direct cremation' Memorial Service. For this option the cremation takes place ahead of time and family and friends then gather in a large and well ventilated outdoor space for a Memorial Service, respecting the social distancing guidelines. The format of this service can mirror that of an indoor Funeral service, and this option will allow for a larger number of physical attendees.

Whatever your situation, your Funeral Director will be able to assist you in navigating any requirements, in line with new restrictions in place. Just ask them any questions you may have.

And whatever choice you make, please know that I will continue to be here to help you plan and conduct a beautiful farewell for your loved one, in a socially responsible manner.

Take care of each other.

Katie 💟

31/12/2019

As we farewell 2019 and greet 2020, may precious memories of all the amazing 'hellos' in life bring comfort to those who have faced painful 'goodbyes'.

May the New Year bring you happiness 💕

Picture credit - allwording.com