CityNews speaks to compassionate professionals who can provide peace of mind when it comes to some of life’s most difficult decisions.

Organising a funeral, creating a will or investing in an estate plan can be an uncomfortable reality, but throughout Canberra there are compassionate experts who can help ease the burden.

Pre-planning can provide peace of mind to friends and family that the people they care about are having their wishes carried out properly. 

In this feature, CityNews speaks to professionals who offer peace of mind when it comes to some of life’s most difficult decisions.

Harley Davidson hearse can make a final farewell unforgettable

Grantley Perry & Sons Funerals is an independent and family-run funeral home that has been serving the Canberra region for the last 32 years, says owner and funeral director Clayton Perry.

Clayton says they offer a range of funeral and cremation services, even one that includes a Harley hearse.

“It’s a 2022 Harley Davidson Road King, and it’s been converted to have the sidecar hold the coffin for the funeral service,” Clayton says.

“It’s available for people that would like to have a service that’s a little bit different. 

“Maybe they like their bikes or maybe they just want a different sort of thing to the normal, and the Harley hearse is just a nice way to go.”

They can also facilitate an honour ride with other family members and friends before going to the cemetery, Clayton says.

He says they decided to begin offering the Harley hearse service after noticing there were no options for anything different in Canberra, with all options for funeral services being rather the same.

Clayton says whether opting for the Harley hearse or a more traditional service, Grantley Perry & Sons can assure a personalised service that will make saying farewell easier.

Grantley Perry & Sons Funerals, 12 Sandford Street, Mitchell. Call 6241 4101 or visit perryfunerals.com

Professional help with wills, probate and power of attorney

When a loved one passes away, it is an emotional time, not just at the time of passing but it can continue for some time, says Lorraine White, principal lawyer and partner at BDN Lawyers.

“The lawyers at BDN have many decades of experience in handling estates efficiently, sensitively and with compassion,” says Lorraine. 

“If we can make it a little less stressful by administering the estate, it will take some of the burden away from the remaining family.”

Over the years, Lorraine says BDN has seen the impact that a poorly constructed will (or lack of) can have on family members following someone’s death. 

“The surviving family are left with sorting out the estate at a time when they are also emotionally dealing with the passing of a loved one,” she says.

Issues can also occur when making an application for a grant of probate. Applications should be made in the Supreme Court of the state where the deceased lived, says Lorraine, but in the Canberra region, people often have assets in both Canberra and NSW.

The responsibilities of being power of attorney similarly differ between NSW and the ACT, says Lorraine.

It is therefore important to engage a lawyer who is familiar with the requirements in both places, she says.

BDN Lawyers, Level 1, 1 Farrell Place, Civic (call 6130 1999) and 260 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan (call 6299 3999). Visit bdn.com.au

Finding a beautiful resting place for loved ones

Canberra Memorial Parks offers a wide range of cremation, traditional burial, natural burial and memorialisation options to honour and celebrate community members across three beautiful parks at Woden, Gungahlin and Hall, says CEO Kerry McMurray.

“We also assist those who would like the remains of loved ones to be buried or scattered elsewhere, in a place of personal significance,” he says.

“We strive to help the whole community in planning for their end of life or to honour the life of a loved one in a way that reflects their personal needs and wishes.”

Featuring a private viewing room accommodating up to 25 people, Kerry says the new Gungahlin crematorium incorporates features that meet the diverse needs of Canberra’s communities

He says the crematorium is ideal for intimate services with a choice of witnessing the cremation and that the Gungahlin cemetery offers natural burials in a beautiful bushland environment, which let people’s remains decompose sustainably and return to nature.

“Our team are caring, considerate people who are committed to supporting the Canberra community when they need us most,” he says.

“The services we offer are facilitated by our expertly trained and considerate customer service people, who help you navigate what option best suits your personal needs and wishes or cultural tradition.

“Staff are available to conduct tours of the grounds at Woden, Gungahlin and Hall cemeteries and assist you with finding a beautiful resting place.”

Canberra Memorial Parks, call 6207 0000 or email canberramemorialparks@act.gov.au

Planning ahead provides relief

“It is important to seek professional estate planning help in order to be clear about what you want – where you want your assets to go,” says director and founding partner of Capon & Hubert, Ken Hubert.

“Your initial thoughts on this subject may not take into account contingencies which may occur.

“It is so important to ensure that the wealth you worked for goes to the people you want to inherit it.” 

Ken says at Capon and Hubert, they always work through the client’s initial plans and thoughts, and ask questions to determine a clear path forward should different scenarios occur. 

“Many people who come to us have thought about making a will and feel a sense of relief once this is completed,” he says.

“We also find that people who have been asked to be an executor have a much easier role when the will they are responsible for is clear, well thought out and has considered different scenarios.”

Life can produce circumstances where initial plans may not be possible, says Ken, and clear details of intent for assets is necessary.

“A will greatly assists anyone who may be dealing with an estate for the first time and may be unsure how to proceed and the steps which must be taken to administer an estate,” he says.

“Having a will is caring for those who may need to carry out your wishes at a challenging and difficult time.”

Capon & Hubert Lawyers & Mediators, First Floor, 32-38 Townshend Street, Phillip. Call 6152 9203 or visit chsol.com.au

Bringing a personal touch to funeral arrangements

Carolyn Jamieson says she is the “dedicated” location supervisor at Tobin Brothers Funerals.

“With a warm smile and empathetic nature, I have become a familiar face in the community, providing solace and support to families during their most challenging times,” she says.

“I absolutely love hearing stories about a loved one and finding a personal touch that we can bring into their celebration of life, to make it truly memorable.

“I take immense pride in alleviating the stress of grieving families and helping them navigate the difficult journey with compassion and care.”

Carolyn says among the many funerals she has arranged, one stands out as particularly remarkable.

“I had the privilege of organising the farewell for a military hero who valiantly fought in the Battle of Long Tan,” she says.

“The funeral procession was led by a riderless Light Horse, with boots placed backwards in the stirrups, paying homage to the fallen soldier.”

Carolyn says she is not only a professional in her field but a caring individual who goes above and beyond to ensure that every farewell is a personal and meaningful tribute.

“Through dedication and compassion, Tobin Brothers Funerals brings comfort to the grieving families we serve.”

Tobin Brothers Funerals, Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Kingston and Queanbeyan. Call 6295 2799, or visit tobinscanberrafunerals.com.au

Enlightening people on legal options

Taking the first step in estate planning is often an enlightening experience, with many people being surprised to find out what they’re actually worth, says KJB Law’s estate planning special counsel Kerstin Glomb.

“I have clients who believe they do not own much, but when we walk through their financial circumstances during our initial meeting – which includes discussing superannuation and life insurance – they are surprised to find out the value of their wealth and what they have to organise, so it’s distributed to the person/s of their choice,” she says.

“To address wills and estate planning is for most people an uncomfortable topic, and they put it in the ‘too hard basket’. However, I find people feel a lot of relief to have started the process.”

Although it can be uncomfortable, Kerstin says estate planning is something everyone should think about, and KJB Law takes pride in helping ease the burden, make clients comfortable, and run smoothly.

“I guide my clients through different options on how they may structure their documents, and what they should address, so they can take charge and protect themselves and their loved ones,” says Kerstin.

“It’s about working out who the right people are to look after their affairs, and structuring their documents to reflect their wishes and concerns.

“There’s nothing better than hearing clients say they’re happy to have their documents in place, they’re comfortable and, most importantly, they understand what they’ve signed.”

KJB Law, Ground Floor, 10 Corinna Street, Woden. Call 6281 0999 or visit kjblaw.com.au