Funeral and
Memorial Direction
The Life Rites team of funeral directors in Sydney offer holistic services. ‘Holistic’ can mean many things. At Life Rites it guarantees that from first contact, the voices, faces and hands of our team of end-of-life professionals are the ones who will care for you and your person every step of the way.
We hold bricks and mortar premises and pride ourselves on exceptional body care, with respectful washing and coffining or shrouding by our dedicated staff in our onsite mortuary for every person who comes to us.
Life Rites offers a full range of creative and practical services to support you in a vital time of transition. Rather than packages we work to your brief. Below you will find information and sample costings on some of the many variations we are able to provide.
Don’t hesitate to contact us regarding any of your unique needs and wishes beyond this, or head to our Funeral Costs page to see our Private (Direct) Cremation services, full pricing information and transparent pricing policy.
Green Funerals
At Life Rites Funerals, we create green funerals that are gentle on the planet and deeply personal in meaning. From natural burials to shrouded cremations, every element can be chosen to minimise environmental impact while honouring your loved one in a way that feels authentic and heartfelt.
Site Specific Funerals
People often choose to hold the funeral or memorial ceremony in a community location or designated venue that may hold personal or sacred value to the person who has died and their community. Or it may simply be the best place to accommodate large crowds. We work with you on practical, emotional and/ or spiritual requirements to ensure that the ceremony and event is just as it needs to be.
Memorials
A memorial is a ceremony held without the coffin present, offering a dedicated time and space to remember and celebrate a person’s life. Memorials may take place immediately after a funeral, several weeks or months later, or be chosen instead of a traditional funeral. This flexibility allows families and communities to gather in the way, place, and timing that best honours their loved one, whether that means a large public event or a more intimate gathering.
Family-Led Funerals
A family-led funeral means that the family (whether of origin, or of choice) lead the funeral process, rather than having a funeral director lead. A funeral director may still be involved, but only to the degree that the family require. Family-led funerals are both old and new; they are the way that funerals used to happen, but are now also at the progressive edge of death being reclaimed by the community.
Faith Based and Religious Funerals
At Life Rites we have worked with many faiths, cultures and traditions and we love doing so. We have broad experience in collaborating with clergy and spiritual leaders, and relish the opportunity to participate and support varied rituals and practices.
Home Funerals
A Home Funeral allows family and friends to gather in a familiar or meaningful place, creating a deeply personal farewell. All aspects of the funeral can take place in the home, often preceded by a home vigil. This approach reflects the individual’s life and values, offering a unique and intimate way to say goodbye.
LGBTQIA+ Funerals
Life Rites actively supports all members of the LGBTQIA+ communities, along with their partners, families and allies. Our team of queer-identified humans and allies understands the unique needs and experiences many bring to their death rites. We work with you to ensure every aspect of the ceremony reflects your identity, values and wishes, creating a farewell that feels safe, respectful and truly your own.
Sudden, Traumatic and Complex Deaths
The Life Rites team has worked extensively with sudden, traumatic and complex deaths. This includes experience in coordinating with the coroners, police, victims unit and social workers. We bring a trauma-informed approach to all of our work and can offer bereavement services and referrals onward to further services.
Funerals for Indigenous Australian Families and Communities
Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, our resident elder, and the Life Rites team are honoured to have worked with many Indigenous Australian families and communities on their funeral rites. Navigating kinship and ritual requirements is a skill we have had the privilege to hone and we would love to be of service to any First Nations people in this way.
When it comes to funeral rites, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. If someone in your life is dying or has died, call us. Together, we can tailor a service based on your needs. We can support you to do as much of the pre- and after-death care as you like. We hold the space so you can arrange and create a funeral service that speaks to you, your family and/or your community. We also offer ongoing bereavement care.
Arrange a 15 minute obligation free consultation
to discuss our process and service fees.
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Through Life Transitions
All of us experience significant and challenging events in our lives. These events may occur at times of change, such as a new relationship or career, or as we become elders, meeting life on its own terms. At Life Rites, we view these momentous occasions as rites of passage – rich opportunities for growth and maturity.
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In the Event of a Diagnosis
When you receive a diagnosis that brings mortality into proximity, the body shock can be enormous. At Life Rites, we work with you so you can reorient yourself and your family. And while the focus is always on your life, your future and your treatment, we can provide you with vital support along the way so you can manage within the broader context of your own mortality.
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Living with Illness
We meet with individuals, families and the communities around you to assist you and them navigate your new normal. We support you to live as fully as you can while managing and responding to the needs of your illness and any treatment.
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Living with Dying
Mortality gives us a renewed perspective about what is important. You may require support in identifying, articulating and acting upon these renewed priorities. We work with you to help you find the language, gather the information and create the context to address your concerns and needs. In this way, we help you to broach these necessary and often very empowering conversations with courage and grace.
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Dying at Home
We can support you to map your healthcare system and establish support networks.
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Specialised Death Literacy & Bereavement Counselling Services
For individuals, families, communities and corporations, we can work with you one-on-one or in groups. These sessions can be one off or on an as-needed basis. We can also structure programs tailored to your distinct needs. We help you to establish the basic death literacy principles that support all of us in our living and grieving.
Areas We Serve
Looking for another specific service?
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End-of-Life Doula Services
We give practical and emotional support to people living with a terminal illness. An end-of-life or death doula provides guidance through what is often a difficult and complex time for everyone involved.
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Funeral Direction
We work with a wide-range of people and offer a wide-range of services to help you make the best and most appropriate choices for you and for all involved.
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Home Vigil and Cool Plate
A Life Rites practitioner will talk you through the set up and use of the cooling beds and how best to support all involved during this time. We can deliver the bed to your home, walk through the preparation of your family member with you and be available to oversee the vigil as needed.