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
Gather at the cemetery for an informal occasion to farewell your family member or friend prior to cremation, witnessed cremation or burial*. You may choose to gather in the gardens of the cemetery 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 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 or witnessed cremation 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 the care of ashes and/or assisting with sourcing suppliers for a headstone.
$4,950
Option – Additional Time
Extra time available at a per hour fee of –
$395
A Gathering at our Woodend Sanctuary
You are warmly invited to gather in our Woodend Sanctuary for an informal occasion to farewell your family member or friend. Suitable for up to 10 people, you will enjoy exclusive use of the Sanctuary including complimentary herbal and standard teas, espresso coffee, mineral water, and organic biscuits. Available for up to 2 hours of Gathering time plus 30 minutes prior for setting up the space. Your Holistic Funeral Director will gently facilitate the occasion, so everyone feels informed and supported.
A Gathering at our Woodend 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 and light refreshments of tea, coffee, mineral water and biscuits for 10 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.
$4,950
Option – Escort
Following a Gathering at our Sanctuary, at home or a community space, you may choose to escort your family member or friend to the cemetery for burial* or cremation.
Escort immediately following the Gathering –
$895
Escort on a subsequent day to the Gathering –
$1,295
* 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 Director 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.
- 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.
- Unattended transfer to the crematorium for cremation.
For witnessed cremation and burial see escort fees below. - 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.
$4,950
Option – Escort
You may choose to escort your family member or friend to the cemetery for burial* or cremation following the home gathering.
Escort immediately following the Gathering at Home –
$895
Escort on a subsequent day to the Gathering at Home –
$1,295
* 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
- Cemetery Fees and Cremation Witness Fees (if applicable) – See Cemeteries
- Death Certificates – See Death Certificates
- Cremation Permit (if applicable) – see Cremation
- Placement of Newspaper Notices – See Disbursements
- Cost of third-party choices: celebrant, flowers, notices, photo presentation, venue hire, catering – See Disbursements
Ceremony Choices To Consider
Funeral Ceremony
At Natural Grace, we offer a highly specialised service that assists you to create a truly meaningful, sustainable, and beautiful ceremony.
Memorial Ceremony
Memorial Ceremonies include the same elements of Funeral Ceremonies with the only difference being that the person’s coffin is not present.
Gatherings
A Gathering is an informal occasion where a group of family and friends come together to farewell the person they love.
Conditions apply to all offerings.
Prices effective as of July 2024 and may be subject to change.