Julie Dober Ballarat Funeral Celebrant
This site © Julie Dober
All rights reserved
Non-religious, Creative, Inspiring, Funeral Ceremonies
Created and Delivered with Warmth, Compassion and Integrity
by Ballarat's most experienced civil celebrant
Ballarat and surrounds, including
Buninyong, Daylesford, Beaufort, Dereel and Elaine
Phone me on: 03 5342 4113 any time
Email: juliedober {at} describing.com.au (substitute @ for the [at])

 
 
As Ballarat’s most experienced Civil Celebrant, highly trained in Funeral Celebrancy, I consider it to be both an honour and a privilege to help you cope in the best way possible, with the death of someone close to you.

There are many ways that a final goodbye ceremony can take place – a Memorial Ceremony, a Celebration of Life Ceremony, a Funeral Ceremony, a simple Acknowledgement, a Private Grief Ritual, or a Graveside Burial.  Whatever form it takes it should be above all else authentic, appropriate and heartfelt, and should be carried out in a way that acknowledges the reality of that person’s core beliefs and gives you, the bereaved, a level of comfort.

Styles, expectations and requirements of funeral ceremonies have changed for the better.  You no longer have to conform to traditions or religious sentiments that you find meaningless or outdated.  There is no need to spend a significant amount of money on the ceremony  to give a person a ‘decent send off’; rather, it is more about the planning, writing and delivery of the ceremony being entirely appropriate.

If you would like to have a chat with me about your particular requirements please ring me at any time – I would be happy to spend some time talking with you. You may wish to do this before your appointment with your chosen Funeral Company to ascertain my availability and to explore which type of ceremony would best meet your needs.

If you invite me to conduct the funeral or memorial ceremony I am happy to do so in any venue of your choosing, including a funeral home, crematorium chapel, private  home, hotel/reception venue, community hall, or garden at a time that meets your needs seven days a week either during or after business hours. 

As you engage in the challenging process of ‘getting it right’ at an emotional, vulnerable and difficult time, as your celebrant
I will be there to support you. You can also be confident that I will be entirely inclusive.

Hi Julie
Just a quick email to say thankyou for the beautiful service you conducted today.
Although a sad day l think it was also a great insight  of R as a person and a fitting tribute to him.
Thank you also for your guidance.
Bye for now,
P.

 

When you book a funeral ceremony direct with me
OR
when you nominate me to your chosen Funeral Company as your celebrant I will give
you a copy of
When a Loved One Dies:
Everything you need to Know and Do

My services for your funeral ceremony will include the following –

  • a one to two hour face-to-face meeting with the family to gather stories, offer suggestions and get to know you
  • commitment to gaining general knowledge and understanding of the deceased person
  • compassion, empathy and genuine understanding of your loss and grief
  • no ‘surprise’ inclusion of religious words, symbols, sentiments,
  • creation and writing of the ceremony specifically  for each individual
  • a ceremony that is appropriate in length
  • creation of an appropriate ceremonial atmosphere
  • inclusion of tributes from family and friends
  • confirmation of the accuracy of the eulogy by reading it back to a family member
  • ensuring that I refer to the deceased by the correct name
  • understanding that not all funerals fall under the banner of ‘Celebration of Life’ – sometimes a simple acknowledgement is more appropriate.