A Personal Farewell: Australian Celebrant Funeral Captures Spirit in Life by Taking Service to the Great Outdoors

Celebrants around the world are witnessing creative ideas in funeral service. As families get involved and take a hands-on approach toward capturing a loved one's life, more farewells are being held outdoors.

Australian Celebrant Julie Ferguson recently had an amazing experience as a funeral was held outdoors.

"I was contacted through a Celebrant's website. Initially I was a bit intrigued as to what my role would be at this funeral, as the daughter of the decedent, Catherine Campbell, was herself a Celebrant from Bellingen on the upper north coast of New South Wales. She told me that she would write and read the eulogy, but was looking for me to perform the service," Julie said. "Catherine told me that her father, Phil Campbell, 84, had died of Prostate Cancer on Friday and they were having his funeral service the following Friday at a bushland setting in a recreational reserve in a North-western suburb of Sydney. This place obviously represented to her family a fitting place for Phil because he had been a lover of the great outdoors. He was an explorer, an observer of nature and a keen photographer. He was a loving husband of 59 years to Noela, and adored father of their three adult children - Judy, Catherine and John - beloved Grandfather and Great-Grandfather."

The outdoor setting for Phil's farewell was poignant. "As Phil had been and intrepid explorer of the Australian Outback – 'going bush' every chance he got throughout his 84 years - it was felt that his farewell and celebration of his life should reflect his philosophy. So in a grassy knoll, underneath the gum and bottlebrush trees, 60 of his family and friends sat on portable chairs in this 'outdoor chapel' with the Australian Flag professionally spray-painted on the cardboard casket and a huge wreath of native flowers placed upon it. The music in my PA played light classical music as this location was transformed, complete with an aisle down the middle, which would later be lined with a guard of honour, as Phil was taken back to the waiting hearse, by the pall bearers, his loving family, where they would escort him to the local crematorium for a private committal."

Julie's role became that of a Master of Ceremonies, as Phil's family and life long friends came forward to tell stories of this "amazing bloke."

"Catherine, an accomplished Celebrant herself, gave her eulogy of her father's life and her fondest memories. It was a eulogy full of funny stories of her father's life. It soon became apparent that he was a real eccentric. He was an Accountant by trade; a collector of cars, all kinds of trash and treasure; a keen photographer and an active community member in which he raised many thousands of dollars for charity and community projects. One after another, speakers came to the microphone to tell stories of Phil. This was not a sad occasion, it was truly a celebration of his life!" Julie reinforces. "Even the reflection was a minute of silence, where nothing could be heard but the whistling of the afternoon breeze in the treetops above, the occasional chirp and screech of a bird and the smell of the native bush. No music - this was Phil's music - the Great Outdoors!"

While more funeral services are being conducted in Australia outdoors at places such as backyards, parks and the beach, this was a new experience for Julie.

"I had never been made aware that this type of 'location funeral' was available. Not even during my training, which included a visit to the chapel of a local funeral home, as well as a major crematorium in Sydney. Then one day I was told about the funeral of a friend's mother, where her son had made the white painted casket and the matriarch was delivered to the family home for a BBQ. Everyone present was encouraged to come forward and tell stories of the deceased and write messages on the casket. Apparently, this was what the deceased had wanted - A Party - in tradition of the Australian backyard Barbecue. After two hours, the funeral home came and collected the casket for private cremation. Being a newbie Funeral Celebrant, the outdoor bushland setting was my first. I asked the Funeral Director if they did this sort of thing often. He said it was becoming more popular and they had performed ceremonies on headland locations, beaches and of course backyard garden settings. So, I phoned around to see if this was common amongst my local funeral homes. To my surprise they all said yes - they would do it within the laws of the local authorities (Community Councils). They did suggest that weather could be a deterrent. I asked if it was costly to go this way and they said no, but there could be an extra cost for PA systems, chairs for mourners, etc. So, with this newfound information, I aim to let the general public know that a funeral service with a difference is available."

Julie is also hearing from people who already have a vision for their own farewells. "I have been approached by several people who want to pre-plan their funeral service. As Arnold, one of my client's, said, 'I could not say how I came into the world, but I sure can say how I am going out!' I have written his service for sometime in the future and I will do it according to his wishes, because if I don't, he said he would come back and haunt me all my days!" Julie said with a smile in her voice. "Even my own mother has sat down and said what she wants. Not sure if I will be up to conducting her whole service, but it is a comfort for her to know it will be done according to her wishes - no religion and she wants that song 'Is That All There Is?' sung by 'What's her name?' ..... It was singer Peggy Lee whom she could not remember. I am also intrigued by the customisation of funeral services. I read with interest on a chat forum, that my Trainer and mentor, is having all the attendees remove their shoes in respect of the deceased love of bare feet. As I call them 'Keith Stories' told at my training course where he had first conducted a Baby Naming ceremony for still-born triplets, before performing their funeral service. He has also come forward and asked the widow to waltz with him, in recognition of the keen ballroom dancers, that this couple had been all their lives. I don't think there would have been a dry eye in the place, to the tune of 'Save The Last Dance For Me.'"

Julie has been a Marriage Celebrant for nearly two years and a Funeral Celebrant for one year. "What I lack in experience, I make up for in enthusiasm," Julie added with a jovial spirit. "I love my career as a Marriage Celebrant because it is great to be part of a significant time in a persons life - a new chapter, however I think that being a funeral celebrant is even more significant because you play such an important part, the last chapter."

Julie knows when she's done a good job in conducting a personal funeral by the response she receives after the service. Her reward is great. "It is my hope that I can help create a ceremony that is in keeping with the clients wishes, but even more, to let them know of just what can be done to honour their life or the deceased's life. I am honoured to play such a significant part of peoples lives."

For more information about Civil Marriage Celebrant and Funeral Celebrant Julie Ferguson visit: www.julieferguson.com.au

Celebrant Catherine Campbell coordinates a volunteer community service to support people in grief and people who are facing a life threatening situation. Through this service she also promotes Do it Yourself funerals.

To read the full eulogy for Phil Campbell, written by his daughter, Celebrant Catherine Campbell, visit: A Beautiful Eulogy in Honor of Phil Campbell Who Loved the Great Outdoors