Gatherings

A Gathering is an informal occasion where a group of family and friends come together to farewell the person they love. Gatherings can be a personal and private way to lead an informal ceremony of your own or simply to be together to talk and share stories. A Gathering replaces a formal funeral ceremony and is suitable for those wanting a family-led approach to the arranging and conducting of the ceremonial component of the funeral day.

Exclusions

Gatherings do not include many of the formal elements commonly seen in a funeral ceremony. Our Gathering offerings do not include the arrangement of a Celebrant, photo presentation, music, catering, venue hire, memorial stationery, or other third-party choices unless expressly included.

A Gathering at the cemetery for burial

Gather at the cemetery for an informal occasion to farewell your family member or friend prior to burial*. You may choose to gather by the graveside or utilise other areas within the gardens of the cemetery for a ceremonial space. Available for up to 2 hours of Gathering time. Your Holistic Funeral Director will gently facilitate the occasion, so everyone feels informed and supported.

A Gathering at the Cemetery includes:

• All day everyday care, support, and love from an experienced and compassionate Holistic Funeral Director specifically assigned to you and your family.
• Support from our care team for funeral administration.
• Natural mortuary care – we only use natural products when caring for the deceased, which includes warm water, essential oils, and organic skin and hair care products.
• Collection of personal keepsakes such as handprints and a lock of hair (if desired).
• Arrangement of flowers if desired (flower choice charged at cost).
• Death and Funeral notices on our website.
• Hearse transfer from our Sanctuary to the Gathering place.
• Attendance at the Gathering by a team of 2 funeral carers including your Holistic Funeral Director.
• Facilitation of the burial process.
• Registration of the death with the appropriate authorities (Births, Deaths & Marriages, Services Australia (including Centrelink), DVA, and Medicare).
• After funeral care including assistance with sourcing suppliers for a headstone.

$3,950

Option – Additional Time

Extra time available at a per hour fee of –

 $395

A Gathering at Geelong or Ballarat cemetery for cremation or witnessed cremation

Gather at the cemetery for an informal occasion to farewell your family member or friend prior to cremation or witnessed cremation. You may choose to gather in the gardens of the cemetery (where permitted) or hire a chapel for some private space. Available for up to 2 hours of Gathering time. Your Holistic Funeral Director will gently facilitate the occasion, so everyone feels informed and supported.

A Gathering at Geelong or Ballarat cemetery for cremation or witnessed cremation includes:

• All day everyday care, support, and love from an experienced and compassionate Holistic Funeral Director specifically assigned to you and your family.
• Support from our care team for funeral administration.
• Natural mortuary care – we only use natural products when caring for the deceased, which includes warm water, essential oils, and organic skin and hair care products.
• Collection of personal keepsakes such as handprints and a lock of hair (if desired).
• Arrangement of flowers if desired (flower choice charged at cost).
• Death and Funeral notices on our website.
• Hearse transfer from our Sanctuary to the Gathering place.
• Attendance at the Gathering by a team of 2 funeral carers including your Holistic Funeral Director.
• Facilitation of the witnessed cremation process (where applicable)
• Registration of the death with the appropriate authorities (Births, Deaths & Marriages, Services Australia (including Centrelink), DVA, and Medicare).
• After funeral care including assistance with the care of ashes and/or assisting with sourcing suppliers for a headstone.

$4,645

Option – Additional Time

Extra time available at a per hour fee of – 

 $395

A Gathering in our Warrnambool Sanctuary

You are warmly invited to gather in our Warrnambool Sanctuary for an informal occasion to farewell your family member or friend. Suitable for up to 30 people, you will enjoy exclusive use of the Sanctuary including complimentary herbal and standard teas, plunger coffee and mineral water. Available for up to 2 hours of Gathering time plus 30 minutes prior for setting up the space. You may choose to have your occasion catered at your own cost or you may supply your own food. Your Holistic Funeral Director will gently facilitate the occasion, so everyone feels informed and supported.

A Gathering in our Warrnambool Sanctuary includes:

• All day everyday care, support, and love from an experienced and compassionate Holistic Funeral Director specifically assigned to you and your family.
• Support from our care team for funeral administration.
• Natural mortuary care – we only use natural products when caring for the deceased, which includes warm water, essential oils, and organic skin and hair care products.
• Collection of personal keepsakes such as handprints and a lock of hair if desired.
• Arrangement of flowers if desired (flower choice charged at cost).
• Death and Funeral notices on our website.
• Arrangement of catering (food choices charged at cost).
• Venue hire of our Community Room and supply of tea, coffee and mineral water for up to 30 guests.
• Attendance at the Gathering by a team of 2 funeral carers including your Holistic Funeral Director.
• Registration of the death with the appropriate authorities (Births, Deaths & Marriages, Services Australia (including Centrelink), DVA, and Medicare).
• After funeral care including assistance with the care of ashes and/or assisting with sourcing suppliers for a headstone.

$3,950

Option – Escort

Escort fees for transport to the cemetery for burial* or cremation following the Gathering:

Escort to local cemetery for burial immediately following the Gathering –

 $395

Escort to local cemetery for burial on a subsequent day to the Gathering –

 $695

Escort to Ballarat or Geelong for cremation immediately following the Gathering –

 $695

Escort to Ballarat or Geelong for cremation on a subsequent day to the funeral ceremony –

 $995

Unattended escort to the crematorium for cremation at a time of our discretion –

 $330

* Pallbearers are to be provided by your family or community.
Natural Grace can provide pallbearers if needed at an additional fee per pallbearer –

 $330

Option – Additional Time

Extra time available at a per hour fee of – 

 $395

A Gathering at Home

We will escort your family member or friend home to join with you as you gather to say goodbye. In the privacy of your own home, you can tell stories, share a meal, listen to music, or even watch the TV! We will stay close by but not intrude on your time and when you are ready, we will take your person back into our care as they leave home for the last time. Available for up to 2 hours of Gathering time. Your Holistic Funeral Guide will gently facilitate the occasion, so everyone feels informed and supported.

A Gathering at Home includes:

• All day everyday care, support, and love from an experienced and compassionate Holistic Funeral Director specifically assigned to you and your family.
• Support from our care team for funeral administration.
• Natural mortuary care – we only use natural products when caring for the deceased, which includes warm water, essential oils, and organic skin and hair care products.
• Collection of personal keepsakes such as handprints and a lock of hair if desired.
• Arrangement of flowers if desired (flower choice charged at cost).
• Death and Funeral notices on our website.
• Arrangement of catering (food choices charged at cost).
• Venue hire of our Community Room and supply of tea, coffee and mineral water for up to 30 guests.
• Attendance at the Gathering by a team of 2 funeral carers including your Holistic Funeral Director.
• Registration of the death with the appropriate authorities (Births, Deaths & Marriages, Services Australia (including Centrelink), DVA, and Medicare).
• After funeral care including assistance with the care of ashes and/or assisting with sourcing suppliers for a headstone.

$3,950

Option – Escort

Escort fees for transport to the cemetery for burial* or cremation following the Gathering:

Escort to local cemetery for burial immediately following the Gathering –

 $395

Escort to local cemetery for burial on a subsequent day to the Gathering –

 $695

Escort to Ballarat or Geelong for cremation immediately following the Gathering –

 $695

Escort to Ballarat or Geelong for cremation on a subsequent day to the funeral ceremony –

 $995

Unattended escort to the crematorium for cremation at a time of our discretion –

 $330

* Pallbearers are to be provided by your family or community.
Natural Grace can provide pallbearers if needed at an additional fee per pallbearer –

 $330

Option – Additional Time

Extra time available at a per hour fee of – 

 $395

Does not include:

• Transfer fees from place of death into our care – See Transfer Fees
• Home-Based Death Care
• Vigils
• Coffin Choice – See Coffins, Caskets, Shrouds & Urns
• Death Certificates – See Death Certificates
• Cremation Permit (if applicable) – see Cremation Permit
• Placement of Newspaper Notices – See Disbursements
• Cost of third-party choices: celebrant, flowers, notices, photo presentation, venue hire, catering – See Disbursements
• Travel outside our operating area – See Transfer Fees

Ceremony Choices To Consider