Tree of Life Services - End of Life & Funeral Services

11/06/2026

Did you know that a few hours of planning could spare the people close to you enormous, avoidable pain, confusion, and heartache? That end of life planning isn’t about death at all? It’s about living on your own terms, right up until the very end and then being cared for after death in your preferred manner.

Contact Tree of Life Funerals to find out more about this in the Eurobodalla. email: [email protected]

See the link below for the full article:

Understand your end of life planning options, from advance care directives to wills, and why it matters for you and those close to you.

09/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FmWPt9qYn/

☘️ Only the Irish looked at death and decided the appropriate response was to throw a party. The Irish wake isn't a failure to grieve properly. It's a sophisticated cultural technology for processing loss that the rest of the world is only beginning to understand. You gather everyone who loved the person, you put them in a room together, you tell every story you can remember about the deceased, and you laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh and by morning something has shifted that couldn't have shifted any other way.

The tradition goes back centuries, rooted in a pre-Christian Irish relationship with death that treated the transition between worlds as something to be marked with ceremony, music, storytelling, and community. The body was never left alone. The family was never left alone. The community showed up and stayed, not out of obligation but out of a genuine understanding that grief shared is grief made survivable. That wisdom crossed every ocean the Irish crossed and showed up in Irish-American communities where wakes became legendary for exactly the same reasons.

What gets missed in the outside perception of the Irish wake is the profound respect underneath the laughter. The stories being told aren't trivializing the person who died. They're refusing to let that person be reduced to their absence. Every laugh in that room is an act of love. Drop a comment if your family still does it this way and follow The Irish Remembered for more. 🕯️☘️

29/05/2026

Grief and Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Lauren Newman, Tree of Life Funerals.

I completed my End-of-Life Doula training through Preparing the Way (PTW) and they continue to provide education and support.

A recent Blog post by PTW spoke in depth about their findings involving Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) and I was so pleased to see this latest post which speaks on this.

I have long been advocating for more support for the families of the people who have chosen VAD.

Part of the PTW Blog says:

“The person who is dying is, of course, central. Their suffering, their choices, their dignity, their clarity, their fear and their wishes all matter. And they are not the only people affected. VAD happens inside families, friendships, communities, belief systems, histories, old wounds, love, fear and grief.

One of the clearest threads to emerge was that families can support a decision and still feel deeply conflicted. These two things are not opposites. A daughter, husband, partner, friend or sibling may absolutely understand why their person has chosen VAD. They may believe in that person’s right to choose. They may advocate for them, sit beside them, help with appointments, protect their wishes, and speak up when others do not understand. And still, somewhere inside, there may be a quieter voice saying, “But why are you leaving me?” or “Why can’t you stay a little longer?” or “Why aren’t you fighting for us?”

That is not judgement. That is grief”.

For a person who has chosen VAD and their family, an end of life doula fits in on the human level.

Doulas can hold the questions that do not always belong to the doctor, the nurse, the navigator or the funeral director and provide many personal services which simply aren’t offered elsewhere.

As the PTW blog says “For some families, after-death care can be a way for love to keep moving. This is something many end of life doulas understand deeply. When someone dies, especially after a planned death, the people who are still present can be carrying so much feeling that has nowhere to go.

Gentle, family-led after-death care can give grief a way to be expressed and shared. Sitting with the person, washing their face, shaving them, dressing them, placing flowers, opening a window, lighting a candle, telling stories, keeping vigil for a while, or creating a simple ritual can help the death become part of a wider story of care rather than only the moment of medication.

This is not about telling families what they should do. Some will want the funeral director to come quickly. Some will choose direct cremation and feel completely at peace with that. Others may later realise that the simplicity that suited the person dying did not fully meet the grief needs of the people left behind.

We need to be able to ask, gently and without agenda: What will help this family farewell? What will help this grief move? What will help love complete the next step?

Also, Doulas need to clearly understand the legislation in their state or territory, their scope of practice, the language they use, their own beliefs, the risk of coercion, the need for neutrality, and the difference between support and persuasion. The person and their family deserve support that is steady, informed, compassionate and free of hidden agenda.

That does not mean doulas become advocates for VAD. It means we become advocates for good care, truthful conversations, family support, grief literacy, choice, preparation and dignity. It means we can sit with people in the realness of what is in front of them. We can support the person who is dying, and we can also ask: Who is supporting the person who is supporting them?

Voluntary assisted dying is not only about the person who chooses it. It is about the circle around them. It is about the person who makes the phone calls, sits awake at night, holds the secret, supports the decision, feels the fear, prepares the room, witnesses the death, calls the funeral director, and wakes up the next morning in a world that has changed.

As end of life doulas, we are well placed to serve in this space, but only if we do so with humility, education, ethical clarity and heart.

We are not there to replace doctors, nurses, navigators, counsellors, palliative care teams or funeral directors. We are there to bring the human thread, to help people talk, prepare, help them ask questions they did not know they were allowed to ask, help families understand that their mixed feelings are not a failure of love, and to help grief find a shape.

I have found that, as a funeral director as well as an end of life doula, I am able to offer much more support to the dying person and their families than a "regular" funeral director and I can approach a VAD event, or any end of life situation with great care, compassion and understanding.

To read the full Blog from PTW, and for further information on VAD grief and support resources, please see:

Voluntary assisted dying affects everyone in the circle. What families, carers and end of life doulas need to know about VAD grief.

04/05/2026

Griefline – You’re not alone in your grief

There are many types of grief and it’s not just the death of someone you love which causes it.

Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that’s important and it can shake the foundations of your life.

Grief can be bought on by:
• The death of someone you love
• The death of a beloved pet
• Losing financial security and stability
• Losing connection and companionship
• The end of a meaningful relationship
• Global instability and the fear of losing the life you know

Your grief can be heightened by important anniversaries and it can hit you when you least expect it.

We’re all complex, fragile human beings and it’s important to know that you’re never alone in your grief. Even if you’re not ready to talk to someone yet, Griefline has fabulous online resources to help you through.

Just know that grief is natural and normal, it doesn’t have a timeline, and you don’t have to cope alone.

See

Griefline provides free national grief helpline, community forums, and resources to help Australians navigate loss with care and understanding. Call 1300 845 745 for support.

18/04/2026

Gratitude.

When I was a child, I was taught to count my blessings, to be grateful for everything I had in my life.

There are studies which show that living life with gratitude makes us happier, it improves our satisfaction with our lives, so gratitude is good for us.

In today’s hugely disrupted world, where every day we hear reports of mass killings, wars, injustice, rapidly rising prices, and people showing hatred towards others, it’s often hard to feel grateful.

But the happiness of our lives is impacted by our perspective on life and how we choose to feel at any given time.

Here in Australia, we are currently feeling the fall-out of world events and it’s when these events start to affect us personally, gratitude is even harder to find.

Back to that perspective, in Australia, we are not at war, we don’t have bombs raining down and the military of another country trying to kill us, we are still living in peace, and that’s certainly something to be very grateful for.

When I was conducting a burial service a week ago, it was a beautiful, mild sunny day. I had written a ceremony which told the story of the person who’s service we were conducting.

The ceremony was full of love, friends and family came up to speak, emotions were shared, beautiful music was played, tears were shed and the acknowledgement of grief was open to all.

We conducted this ceremony in peace and love.

Death is inevitable, but how we honour our dead makes all the difference to the depths of our grief. Holding a funeral service which has been individually created brings peace and the start of healing for the people left behind.

Afterwards, I reflected on how lucky we are that we have the privilege to honour our deceased loved ones in this way, as I thought about the over 160 small innocent children in Iran who went to school one day and then were bombed from the face the earth.

These children didn’t have any such opportunity to be laid to rest like we have in Australia. Their families didn’t have the opportunity to say goodbye in such a beautiful way as the service I held earlier in the day.

I thought about the over 65,000 people in Gaza who had also been wiped out and how so many of them will never even be properly laid to rest as their bodies will never be found, or their remains will go into a mass grave. The idea of this makes me so very sad for them all.

So for your own sake, and for the sake of those around you, see if you can develop a gratitude practice – instead of being critical or angry or complain about your life, focus on what you have to be grateful for, and celebrate it. Your perspective on life will change and your happiness will improve, which is another thing to be grateful for!

When people come to the end of their lives, what often matters most to them is the relationships they’ve had, the love they’ve shared, time shared with others, not their worldly goods, or how much time they devoted to work, they are grateful for the sharing of human experiences, and the love.

Our lives may not be perfect, but I for one am very grateful for the life we have here in our lucky country.

Lauren Newman, Tree of Life Services & Funerals

12/11/2025

I am thrilled to announce that I have been gifted a Cooling Plate!

This will be a valuable resource for the people of the Eurobodalla Shire.

A Cooling Plate is a portable refrigerated unit which is slipped under the body of a deceased person so they can stay in their own home after death.

In NSW, we can keep a deceased person at home for up to 5 days, and with the help of myself as a Funeral Director and End of Life Doula, we can also place them in their coffin at home and organise all the paperwork, and a funeral, without the need for the person's body to be taken to a mortuary.**

This is particularly suitable for a burial at Walawaani Way Conservation Burial in Bodalla.

Holding a Vigil with friends and family can be a beautiful way to start saying your farewells to someone you love who has died. It is a gentle and kind way to start your grieving process. An End of Life Doula can help you make this happen. Perhaps you'd like music, candles, prayers, whatever you'd like, together we can design this deeply personal and meaningful time to honour your person.

I am making this plate available to the wider community and other End of Life Doulas / Workers such as Shanna Provost in Tilba, Kerryn Davey, also in Tilba, and Deepika Mistry in Batemans Bay.

**Of course, not all funerals can be arranged within a 5 day period and some people may only want to keep their person at home for a day or two, but we will make every effort to accommodate whatever you need.

For more information, please see Tree of Life Funerals at https://lnkd.in/gpX6EV2K, www.treeoflifefunerals.com.au or email: [email protected]

22/09/2025

Rituals in deathcare.

As the amazing Dr Sarah Kerr of the Centre for sacred deathcare says, “when someone you love dies, it’s natural to focus on the funeral as the central moment. However, the time between a death and the funeral is just as important.

This part of the journey that often gets missed, but it’s the time that can deeply shape how you experience both the funeral and your grief.

It’s tender, it’s powerful, and it can make all the difference.
The time between death and the funeral can be a time of really integrating, coming to terms with the fact that they are gone.
We don’t want them to be gone, we wish they weren’t gone, but, they are.”

The work that we do ritually along that timeline is what allows at the funeral for us to fully say farewell, to send them along their journey, and to let them go.

With all our love and all our grief, we send them on their way.
Even if you don’t hold a formal funeral, and organise a no-service cremation or burial, you can still have your own rituals in between the time of death and the cremation.

You can then hold a Memorial Service at a time that better suits family and friends so you can all come together to say your farewells.

Ritual in our lives are very important. Rituals keep us grounded in the familiar and through that, provide comfort.

Whether it’s the simple ritual of lighting a candle, or praying, or the ritual of a church service, or of holding a funeral or memorial service, all such practices bring us together and provide comfort.

If you have spiritual beliefs, it’s comforting to know that the soul of your person has crossed over and that they know you are honouring them with your grief and the rituals you engage in.

It’s never “too late” to hold your rituals, your ceremonies, as they always make a positive difference.

We at Tree of Life Funerals are experienced in end of life work, ceremony and ritual, and will guide and support you through the hugely difficult time of having someone you love die.

We can help you decide the best way for you to say goodbye.
Contact us for all your end of life and funeral needs on
0493-276-554 or see:

Locally and privately owned and operated, the experienced team at Tree of Life Funerals are here for you at your time of need, providing personal, caring, and individual attention.We create authentic, personalised, heart-felt funeral services which really reflect the individual. To provide you with....

18/08/2025

Save the date!

For our September bi-monthly Bermagui Death Conversations Cafe, we are pleased to welcome a representative from the Southern NSW Local Health District Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) team.

Our guest will share the eligibility requirements for Voluntary Assisted Dying, related legislation information and will be available to answer any questions you have about Voluntary Assisted Dying in NSW.

This is a space for people from all walks of life to come together, share, listen, and connect in a non-judgmental and supportive environment.

What to Expect:

- an opportunity to learn about VAD, ask questions, and engage with experts and community members in a supportive environment

- Thought-provoking discussions on what VAD is, what it isn’t

- A welcoming, confidential environment where you can speak freely

We hope to create an atmosphere where you can ask the tough questions and listen to others’ stories.

Please note:

1. this is not a grief support group or a therapy session but a unique opportunity to talk openly and honestly about mortality and VAD

2. the fee goes towards venue hire and light refreshments

3. doors open from 1:45pm to allow time to grab a cuppa, a plate of food (light refreshments) and a seat before 2pm kick off.

Date: Sunday, 21st September 2025
Time: 2pm - 4pm (doors open 1:45pm)
Location: Malua Bay Community Centre (just next to the Malua Bay Tennis Courts)

Ticket Link in Bio

13/08/2025

Navigating the Care of Elderly Parents as We Age Ourselves
Balancing Compassion, Practicality, and Self-Care in the Later Chapters of Life

As the years pass, many of us find ourselves in a unique juncture: both we and our parents are aging, sometimes simultaneously entering stages of life that require increased attention, care, and adaptation.

The experience of managing the needs of older parents when we ourselves are no longer young introduces an array of emotional, physical, and logistical challenges that demand thoughtful consideration. This document explores strategies, insights, and reflections to help navigate this intricate journey.

For the full article, please see my Blog:

As the years pass, many of us find ourselves in a unique juncture: both we and our parents are aging, sometimes simultaneously entering stages of life that require increased attention, care, and adaptation. The experience of managing the needs of older parents when we ourselves are no longer young i...

28/07/2025

A person who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.

Knowing more about death – or ‘death literacy’ – can actually help quell fears of dying. An excerpt from an article in The Guardian.

Death is not a mystery. It is not a medical disaster. It is a bodily process, like giving birth or like going to the bathroom or coughing, your body knows what to do.

To some extent, each death is unique because it depends on a person’s age, health status and reason for dying, says Julie McFadden, a hospice nurse and online educator in Los Angeles, California. But for those unaffected by a traumatic event, such as a car accident, most people will experience certain stages and symptoms.

Months before death, the transition phase begins, says McFadden. This entails spending more time in bed, eating and drinking less, and needing more help with daily tasks such as getting dressed and going to the bathroom. During this time, it can be hard to keep up with conversations and sleep will take up most of the day.

Due to a lower food and beverage intake, at this point it’s possible to enter ketosis, a state in which the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Some people may experience pain relief or euphoria as a result, but it’s not entirely clear why. Some research suggests the neurotransmitter Gaba increases during ketosis, which makes you feel calm, while cortisol, the stress hormone, decreases.

Above all, “we are built for death just like we’re built for birth”, says McFadden. “The more we understand that, the better we will live – and the more peaceful we will die.”

To see this whole article from The Guardian, see:

Experts say knowing more about death – or ‘death literacy’ – can actually help quell fears of dying