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Modern Celebrancy for Life’s Most Tender Moments

Brisbane-based Funeral Celebrant offering warm, authentic ceremonies that gently honour your loved one’s life, because every goodbye deserves dignity, beauty, and truth

Death & Dying in Australia

Death and dying are universal, but the way we honour those who pass is deeply personal, shaped by culture, beliefs, and family traditions. In Australia, funerals are evolving.

More and more, they reflect the unique lives we live. While traditional services at churches, cemeteries, or funeral homes are still common, many Australians are embracing non-religious ceremonies, celebrations of life, or memorials held in parks, on beaches, in private homes or community spaces.

Funerals are typically held within 7–10 days after death, though there’s increasing flexibility — especially when loved ones need time to plan or travel. Cremation is now the most common choice, though some communities still prefer burial, guided by cultural or religious beliefs.

The legal side of death — registering it, transferring the body, choosing a funeral director — can feel overwhelming. A clear, compassionate guide makes a real difference.

At the same time, a quiet but powerful shift is underway. Australians are beginning to speak more openly about death, plan ahead, and create funerals that are authentic, meaningful, and deeply human. Whether it’s writing your own eulogy, choosing music that tells your story, or simply being remembered with warmth and truth — modern funerals are no longer one-size-fits-all.

As a Funeral Celebrant in Brisbane, I see this transformation daily. People want ceremonies that are personal, inclusive, and heartfelt — not templated or impersonal. They want to honour their loved ones in ways that truly reflect who they were

A Message from Cheryl McKenzie, Your Funeral Celebrant

A Message from Cheryl McKenzie, Your Funeral Celebrant

Hello, I’m Cheryl McKenzie — a Funeral Celebrant based in Brisbane, here to walk gently beside you during one of life’s most tender moments.

When someone we love dies, there’s so much to navigate — the grief, the logistics, the memories, and the meaning. As a Funeral Celebrant based in Brisbane, I’m here to help you shape a ceremony that honours your person’s life with sincerity, warmth, and care.

Whether you're planning a traditional funeral, a non-religious service, or a celebration of life, I’ll work closely with you to create something truly personal — no scripts, no clichés, just meaningful moments that reflect their story, spirit, and legacy.

With a background in holding space, deep listening, and crafting words that matter, I consider it a privilege to walk beside families during these sacred times, not as a stranger reciting facts, but as someone who genuinely cares about making this goodbye count.

If you're looking for a compassionate, experienced Funeral Celebrant in Brisbane or South East Queensland, I’ll help you find clarity in the chaos, comfort in the ceremony, and beauty in the farewell.

Together, we’ll create a service that feels true — for them, and for you.

With warmth,

Cheryl McKenzie Funeral Celebrant – Brisbane

How We Serve The Community

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Funeral Ceremonies

A respectful and meaningful service to honour someone shortly after their passing. Held in crematorium chapels, funeral homes, or other chosen venues. Ideal for families who want a structured goodbye with room for personal touches.

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Memorial Services

A ceremony held after the burial or cremation — often weeks or even months later. Offers time for reflection and storytelling without the constraints of formal timelines. Perfect when family is travelling, or when a more relaxed, creative gathering is preferred.

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Celebration of Life

Joyful, uplifting, and heartfelt. Focused more on the life lived than the death itself. Can include music, poetry, photos, and personal rituals.Ideal for people who say “I don’t want a sad funeral” or who lived boldly and want to be remembered that way.

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Living Wakes / Before I Go Gatherings

A deeply moving and life-affirming event held while the person is still alive. A chance to share love, memories, and farewells in real time. For those facing end-of-life with courage, humour, or grace — and who want to be part of their own send-off.

More Than a Ceremony: Death Literacy & Community Outreach

Tea. Cake. And honest conversations about the one thing we all share.

At a Death Café, strangers come together — not to mourn, but to talk. Openly. Casually. Courageously. There’s no agenda, no guest speakers, and no sales pitch. Just warm cups of tea, generous slices of cake, and space to explore the one topic we often avoid: death.

These informal gatherings are part of a global movement to gently dismantle the taboo around dying. They invite open, meaningful conversations about what it means to live, love, and eventually leave.

You don’t need to be grieving or unwell to join. Just bring your curiosity, a bit of openness, and a willingness to chat.

We cover everything from bucket lists and body disposal to funeral plans, fears, family stories, and those big existential "what-ifs." It’s often light-hearted, sometimes deeply moving, and always full of insight.

And yes — there’s always cake. Because if we’re going to talk about death, we may as well sweeten the deal.

Dying to Know Day Events (August 8)

An annual national day of action and awareness, encouraging Australians to improve their end-of-life planning and literacy. I offer facilitated sessions, creative ceremonies, and resources to help individuals and community groups engage meaningfully with the topic. Ideal for libraries, councils, aged care, and community centres

If you’re part of a school, workplace, or community group and feel your people could benefit from a shared conversation about death, dying, or grief — I’d love to collaborate with you. Let’s return these vital conversations to the centre of our communities, where they once lived — and where they belong again.

Gentle spaces for sharing, honouring, and healing — together.

Grief isn’t something to fix. It’s something to feel, witness, and honour — in all its tender, tangled forms. Grief & Meaning Circles are non-clinical, heart-led gatherings that offer a safe and sacred space for people to come together in community. There’s no pressure to speak — only permission to be.

Whether you're grieving a person, a pet, a relationship, a role, or a chapter of your life, your sorrow is welcome here. We make space for silence, stories, ritual, reflection, tears, and laughter. Every emotion is honoured. Every presence is enough.

These circles are facilitated with grounded care and may include gentle witnessing, creative expression, and shared rituals. They are open to all — regardless of background, spiritual belief, or where you are on your grief journey.

The Last Gift

A ceremonial offering for those in need — held with heart, not cost.

Every life deserves a meaningful goodbye. But for some, the weight of loss is made heavier by hardship. The Last Gift is my way of honouring those moments — by offering personalised funeral or memorial ceremonies to individuals and families experiencing financial or personal difficulty.

This isn’t a full funeral service, but a heartfelt ceremony — written, spoken, and held with the same care I offer to every client. There are no explanations required, no forms to complete, and no compromise on dignity. Just a quiet gesture of community care — a final gift, from one heart to another.

If you or someone you know may benefit from this offering, please reach out. These ceremonies are offered with warmth, discretion, and deep respect.

Let Us Help You Say Goodbye

Let Us Help You Say Goodbye

Every life deserves a farewell full of meaning and care.

Whether expected or sudden, saying goodbye can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to face it alone.

As a compassionate funeral celebrant in Brisbane, I’ll help you create a ceremony that’s personal, heartfelt, and true to your loved one — whether it’s a funeral, memorial, living wake, or celebration of life.

Let’s honour their story with warmth, dignity, and love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Funeral celebrant fees in Brisbane usually range from $700 to $1250, depending on the type of service, travel, and complexity of the ceremony. I offer thoughtful, heart-led ceremonies that are personalised and unique — not off-the-shelf scripts.

My pricing reflects the care, time, and preparation I put into crafting a meaningful farewell. I’m always happy to talk through options and work within the family's needs where possible.

Note: If you’re working with a funeral home, they may include the celebrant fee in their package — just ask if you can choose your own celebrant.

A funeral celebrant creates and leads a non-religious (or lightly spiritual) ceremony that honours the life of the person who has passed. This includes:

  • Meeting with the family to learn about the person’s life

  • Writing a personalised ceremony that reflects their values, beliefs, and story

  • Liaising with funeral directors and venues

  • Leading the ceremony on the day with warmth and professionalism

Think of me as a calm, caring guide — helping you tell your person’s story with heart and dignity.

I’m based in Brisbane, but I also serve surrounding areas including Moreton Bay, Logan, Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, and the Scenic Rim. If you’re outside these areas, still feel free to reach out — if I can’t help directly, I might know someone who can.

Yes! Absolutely. Not everyone wants or needs a traditional funeral. I offer a range of ceremony types including:

  • Memorials (after a burial or cremation)

  • Celebrations of life

  • Living wakes (held before someone dies)

  • Small, private gatherings

  • Community-based farewells

If you can imagine it, we can co-create it. Let’s shape something that feels right for you.

No problem at all. I offer ceremony-only services for families who are managing other aspects themselves or through a funeral director. My role is to bring meaning, structure, and presence to the farewell, whether it's in a chapel, a backyard, a park, or a living room.

Contact Us

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Address

Everton Hills QLD 4053, Australia

Phone

+61 419 673 217

Email

hello@funeralcelebrantbrisbane.com