Compassionate and understanding, Canberra’s funeral, wills and estate planning specialists are here to offer support during life’s difficult moments. 

Helping clients plan funerals ‘your way’ for 35 years

The locally owned and family run business, William Cole Funerals, has been helping people plan their loved ones’ funerals, their way, for 35 years.

“We do things your way,” says the owner of William Cole Funerals, Bill Cole.

“Unlike some of the multinationals, you’re not going to be handed over from one person to another. 

“You’ll get a designated person who will build up a rapport with you. This means you’ll have a point of contact who knows the intricate details so there’s no guessing.” 

Bill says the planning usually begins with a phone conversation.

“We then meet with them either at our premises or at their home,” he says.

“We can do everything with a clear head. We’ll contact all third parties such as the cemetery or crematorium, the celebrant, newspapers or organise flowers. We register the death on their behalf, too.

“We give people options, they make the decisions and we follow through on them.” 

William Cole Funerals also has a lovely, bright chapel, The Bluegum Chapel, in Belconnen, where funerals can be held. 

“It is modern in every way, but has also been designed to be flexible,” he says. 

William Cole Funerals, 60 Nettlefold St, Belconnen. Call 6253 3655, email [email protected] or visit williamcolefunerals.com.au

Skilled stonemason celebrates 21 years of restorations

Celebrating 21 years in business, Karen Doyle says she continues to love working as a qualified stonemason and grave restorer. 

Backed by a strong team and her own sons, Karen says she’s grateful for the ongoing support she’s received from the surrounding cemeteries and other stonemasons. 

“Anyone can hit a stone,” she says. 

“But there aren’t enough qualified stonemasons.”

It took her four years to learn and train in putting lettering back into stones, a skill she continues to master. 

Karen says it’s important that the art of restoration isn’t lost forever. 

“It’s honouring and remembering our past while protecting our future generations,” she says. 

Time and environmental damage can take their toll on a gravesite, which is where Karen and her crew come in. 

“Graves aren’t equipped to last 50 years down the track without some help,” she says.

Specialising in bronze restoration in brass gravestone plaques, where the elements have turned the metal green, Karen says there are few who are qualified to do the work she does. 

From arranging flowers to grave restoration, she says it’s important to provide peace of mind for families to know that the graves are being cared for. 

Grave Keepers. Call 0448 329200 or visit gravekeepers.com.au

Park meets community cultural and diverse needs

Operating across three locations in Canberra, as well as the publicly owned crematorium in Gungahlin, and the mausoleum/columbarium in Woden, Canberra Memorial Parks CEO Kerry McMurray says their business ethos is centred around actively engaging with the diverse multicultural community within Canberra. 

“It is with empathy, compassion and understanding by our staff in dealing with each and every person we meet that makes us stand out,” he says. 

“We pride ourselves on these interactions and the fact that we help make a very difficult time and situation a little easier for people.”

Offering a broad range of services to meet the cultural and religious needs of the community, Kerry says their engagement has included the development of new projects. 

“We’ve also recently opened our new Sanctuary Creek Ash Memorialisation Garden, which has been designed to reflect Canberra with a circular layout and a range of beloved interment options,” says Kerry. 

“It’s a beautiful space for reflection and celebrating the life of a loved one.” 

Location and type of interment is an important consideration for any family, and Kerry says their staff works closely with families in identifying the perfect location and option to meet their needs.

“We are also currently constructing a memorial hall and condolence lounge at the Gungahlin cemetery, which will enable us to provide a full service,” he says. 

Canberra Memorial Parks. Gungahlin, Hall and Woden. Call 6207 0000 or visit canberramorialparks.act.gov.au 

Community-led funeral service offers wide variety of services

For 12 months Tender Funerals has provided loving and meaningful funerals for more than 140 families, says general manager, Catherine Prosser. 

“We are a not-for-profit, community-led organisation that offers a wide variety of services, providing an opportunity for personal choice and preference, participation and the ability to design the process how a client may see fit,” she says. 

“Every family is different, so instead of offering packages, we provide some starting points to help you work out what’s right for you and your family.”

For many, funerals can be a costly exercise and may put pressure on a grieving family.

“We provide at-cost services by charging only what it costs to deliver the funeral service that they want,” she says. 

“We also have a fund that is set up from the payments of other services that allows us to help out those in need.

“This option helps pay for families who would otherwise be unable to afford a funeral.”

From cardboard coffins, mausoleums, vaults and crypts to cremation, Catherine says they pride themselves on the options they have available.

Catherine says they will host an open day of their facilities on Saturday, September 6. Book at tenderfunerals.com.au.

Tender Funerals, 11 Glenbrook Lane, Fairbairn. Call 6171 6229 or visit tenderfunerals.com.au

Guardian angels for funeral planning

It’s impossible to know how expensive funerals might be in the future, which is why funeral plans are a worthy consideration.

Working with Tobin Brothers, Guardian Plan prepaid funerals have a range of benefits for family members, says Cassandra Proctor, operations manager for Invocare ACT, parent company of both organisations.

“Guardian plans lock in your funeral price at today’s cost, which helps relieve family members of financial burden and stress,” she says. 

“This service allows clients to plan their funeral the way they want it to be and, with payment installments available, it can ease the burden left on family in the event of a beloved member passing.” 

In comparison to funeral insurances, Guardian Plans don’t have any premiums attached and are exempt from the asset test for age pension purposes. 

“These plans aren’t subject to a ceiling investment and can be transferred interstate in the instance of a client moving residences at any point,” says Cassandra. 

With funds held in a trust, Cassandra says custom preplanned funerals can be paid in interest-free installments or upfront, with a 30 per cent deposit.   

Tobin Brothers is a trusted funeral provider to the Canberra community for 75 years and Cassandra says: “We want people to know that they are in good hands from start to finish.” 

Tobin Brothers Funerals, 101 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen, or 310 Anketell Street, Tuggeranong. Call 6295 2799, or visit tobinscanberrafunerals.com.au

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