The funeral service

William Sheahan Funerals is located in Drysdale and also services the greater Geelong and Bellarine regions

Commemorating the life of a loved one is a deeply personal, individual experience.

For that reason, we are committed to ensuring your personal choices are reflected in the service we provide.

We can:

  • Conduct the funeral service at our Chapel within our funeral home in Drysdale or at the venue of your choice. Our Chapel can accommodate up to 350 and is the only Chapel on the Bellarine Peninsula.
  • Help you create the structure of the celebration so that it truly reflects the memory of your loved one.
  • Provide you with a celebrant or work with your preferred celebrant.
  • Offer you a wide selection of coffins and caskets. We can arrange for viewing of the deceased if you wish.
  • Provide the facilities for music and presentations. We can also help you prepare any audio-visual material and record the service.
  • Assist you with the design and printing of booklets or other mementos.

Funeral service booklet

Williams Sheahan Funerals has different examples of booklets and, in conjunction with the minister, priest or celebrant, we will help you decide on the format. Artwork and printing of the booklet are done in-house, which reduces the cost. Memorial cards, bookmarks, prayer cards and Mass booklets can also be arranged.

Music

Music is the choice of the family and is usually selected in conjunction with the minister, priest or celebrant. We have an extensive range in our music library and if we do not have it we can usually locate it for you. William Sheahan Funerals has the appropriate licence for public performance of artists.

Audio-visual presentation

William Sheahan Funerals has up-to-date technology to provide a professional DVD photo presentation of a loved one’s life. Families can either provide their photos via a memory stick, CD or individual photos which we will scan. The ideal number of photos is usually between 40 and 50, which is timed to music of your choice, two tracks totalling approximately six or seven minutes. Our Chapel is fully equipped to show these presentations. If the funeral is held in a church or any other location we have portable equipment to use. William Sheahan Funerals has the appropriate licence for public performance of artists.

Creating a eulogy

If you are preparing to give a eulogy, you may wish to follow these simple steps. They will help you share your memories and feelings with everyone in attendance.

  1. Begin by reflecting. Think about your life with the deceased and what your relationship meant to you. Looking through photographs, video or other personal items is an excellent place to start.
  2. If you are presenting a eulogy on behalf of others, such as brothers or sisters, ask them about their relationship and stories.
  3. Create a note or snippet for each of the memories or feelings you wish to convey. Sticky-notes can be very useful for this.
  4. Decide on a theme for your eulogy. What are the two to three major things you wish to say about the deceased? Once you have decided these, you can structure your notes around them.
  5. Begin to draft your eulogy. You may wish to write it in full or just list the key points that you will expand on when you speak.
  6. Practice your eulogy several times. This will not only help you speak more confidently, but it will give you a chance to review the eulogy and make changes.
  7. Above all, be confident. If you are a nervous public speaker, remember that you are among friends and loved ones. They are more interested in your memories and feelings than in how well you present.

If you need advice on any aspect of your funeral, including coffins and caskets, churches, cemeteries or bereavement care, please don’t hesitate to call us on 03 5251 3477. Your local Drysdale funeral directors.