Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services - your independent funeral director of choice

The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops, yet echoes on in sweet, soulful refrains.
For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains. – Author Unknown

Inspired by the beautiful sentiment of this poem, Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services, we are a boutique funeral director offering a personalised and bespoke farewell from this earth for your loved one.

Something Beautiful Remains funeral directors Caryn and Phil Barling providing compassionate personalised funeral care.

Our team

Caryn and Phil Barling are the team behind your alternative to a run-of-the-mill funeral.

There are no sterile meeting rooms or ready-made packages here. Caryn and Phil meet you where you are at, literally and figuratively, to plan a bespoke funeral service to honour your loved one in your own way.

Meet with us in the comfort of your own home and share with us your hopes for a unique funeral and dignified celebration of life for your loved one.

We do the rest.

Something Beautiful Remains funeral director Caryn Barling providing compassionate guidance for families.

Caryn

Funeral Director

A passionate second-generation funeral director, Caryn combines her work experience in event management, styling, hotel management and hospitality to create the unique and meaningful funeral service you have been searching for.

Creative, compassionate, caring and easy to talk to, Caryn is a details-focused funeral professional with a reputation for making her clients feel loved and cared for as if by an extended family member, during their time of need.

Something Beautiful Remains funeral director Phil Barling providing compassionate and personalised funeral care.

Phil

Creative Director

After the death of his mother, Phil knew the funeral industry needed to do more to offer personalised funeral services to create moving and memorable ceremonies worthy of those who have passed.

He uses his background as a professional photographer, graphic designer and video production specialist to create funeral services, stationery and memorabilia that honours your loved one.

Something Beautiful Remains beloved family dog celebrating the special bond shared with cherished pets.

Izzy

Barketing Director

Showing love, providing therapy and brightening a room immediately upon entry are just a few of the attributes of our beloved team member Izzy.

Izzy’s innate ability to know who most needs affection makes her a valued asset to the Something Beautiful Remains team.

Something Beautiful Remains family placing personal tributes on a coffin during a celebration of life.

Our point of difference

Making plans for a personalised funeral service during your time of grief is an overwhelming task.

At Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services, we take care of everything, so that you can take care of yourself.

We commit to providing you with a personalised service that you feel encapsulates to the loved one you have lost.

Something Beautiful Remains funeral team providing compassionate support for a personalised themed farewell.

The personal touch

What was it that made your loved one unique?

What is one thing you will always remember them by?

Let us be your guide as you walk through this phase of loss to plan a unique funeral experience.

There is no job too small and no detail too finite for our hardworking team.

Share with us your wishes and hopes for a personalised send off and we will do our utmost to deliver an individualised service with the personal touch you’re seeking.

Something Beautiful Remains memorial display with urn, photographs and keepsakes celebrating a loved one's life.

A fitting farewell

If a church, funeral home or graveyard feels like an inappropriate place to farewell those that you love, we understand.

Funeral services do not have to conform to societal norms and we are here to plan an authentic and one-of-a-kind event.

Many of our former clients have chosen twilight services, cocktails & canapés, a tennis court, Grandma’s garden, the beach, a clifftop or a weekend on a houseboat for one last fishing trip.

Something Beautiful Remains biodegradable memorial urn displayed beside the water for an ashes farewell ceremony.

We think of everything… so you don’t have to

We know you don’t know where to start… but we do.

We understand and acknowledge that funeral planning is unknown territory to many and we ensure open communication throughout the process while relieving you of the burden of planning or organising during your time of grief.

We know you feel lost… but we know the way.

Take our hand; you are not alone.

Something Beautiful Remains celebrant holding a biodegradable urn during a personalised water memorial service.

Where we operate

We can arrange our personalised funeral services online and from afar, regardless of your location.

However, we service most locations face-to-face in and around Sydney, including Sans Souci, Carlton, Kogarah, Brighton Le Sands, Rockdale, Bexley, Narwee, Winston Hills, North Rocks, North Ryde, West Ryde, Northmead, Winston Hills, Castle Hill, Sutherland, Five Dock, Gladesville, Airds, La Perouse, Riverwood, Belmore, Marrickville, Newtown, Arncliffe, Alexandria, Paddington, Bondi Junction, Maroubra, Drummoyne, Birchgrove, Balmain, Abbotsford, St Clair, St Marys, Penrith, Blue Mountains and beyond.

If you live in or around any of these suburbs, the Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services team is able to visit you at your home to arrange a personalised funeral service for your loved one.

Reach out any time of the night or day

Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services is a family-owned and operated, wholly independent funeral service.

We look after you as if you are part of our extended family and work with your individual circumstances and needs.

Not sure what to do next?

Pick up the phone and give Caryn and Phil a call.

Where we provide care

Based in Lithgow, we support families across the Blue Mountains, Seven Valleys, Central Tablelands and Southern Sydney.

FAQs

It is perfectly normal to have questions when a loved one has passed.

Have a look at our most frequently asked questions.

A funeral director should feel calm, clear and willing to listen. At Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services, Caryn and Phil take the time to understand the person being remembered, explain the options and help shape a funeral that feels right for the family.

Look for someone who is transparent, approachable and able to guide you without pushing you into choices that do not feel right. Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services is independent and personal, with Caryn and Phil working closely with families through the decisions that need to be made.

Yes. Caryn and Phil can help families create funerals that are traditional, simple, creative, cultural, spiritual, non-religious or more personal.

A locally owned funeral director can offer a more personal, community-based approach. Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services is based at 99 Main Street, Lithgow, and the About page should reinforce that Caryn and Phil are part of the local community, not a corporate chain.

Yes. You do not need to have the answers before you speak with Caryn and Phil. We can help you understand what is possible, what needs to happen and what decisions can wait until you are ready.

Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services is personal, independent and shaped around the family in front of them. Caryn and Phil offer clear guidance, creative options and a more open approach to funeral planning, rather than a standard package-led process.

“Caryn from Something Beautiful Remains was instrumental in making this time as bearable as it could be for us. Her attention to detail, her flexibility, and her compassion for the situation we were in was nothing short of amazing.”

T Burrowes

Google Reviews

Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services place picture
5.0
Based on 2 reviews
Jim Viney profile picture
Jim Viney
4 months ago
Caryn has been a close friend since working together over 15 years ago. I can attest to her professionalism, creativity, integrity and compassion. Luckily, I have not personally needed her funeral services to date but having witnessed Caryn's care and concern for others, I know she will treat you with the respect and kindness of a cherished family member. Since opening the new office in Lithgow to better serve the Blue Mountains region Caryn and Phil have also quickly engaged to champion and support promotion of local businesses and the unique attractions of the area. We have delighted in watching her grow in the competitive funeral director market, impressed by her attention to detail and genuine empathy. I can wholeheartedly endorse Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services.
Melly Marie profile picture
Melly Marie
1 year ago
This is the first time I have had to plan a funeral and it was for my beautiful mother. Caryn helped me out so much, she took all the stress and worry of planing a funeral away, im so thankful for Caryn as she done an absolutely beautiful job. She took care of everything that needed to be done while I got to griev with my family and not have any stress or worries about what had to be done. I highly recommend caryn and her lovely team. Caryn treats you like family and make sure everything you want is done. My mother got the most beautiful send off to the dream time. I'm so thankful for Caryn and her services.
Kim Mcgee profile picture
Kim Mcgee
4 years ago
Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services did my dads Funeral. They were very professional and helpful. Caryn done just the best job. The funeral ran very smooth, the songs were played right the way though, that means a lot to hear music that you pick. Something Beautiful Remains Funerals and the staff done a great job
Thank you
Verliana Susilo profile picture
Verliana Susilo
4 years ago
Having lost a person dearest to me to a sudden death at such a young age, I was at a lost of what to do, how to put together a funeral and the cost involved. Caryn was very helpful from the very beginning in providing practical advises such as what to consider between cremation and burial, locations, how to make sure that I chose what feels right for me and my family, and many more. In such short time span we achieved what I wanted. Caryn and Phil made little touches that made the funeral to be a beautiful send off and memorable one. Thank you Caryn in guiding me through a vulnerable time.
Sam H profile picture
Sam H
5 years ago
Caryn's a lovely warm thoughtful lady, her consideration was appreciated by me very much. She added a unique and special touch to my Mothers funeral by making a beautiful floating Lotus Urn for our family to place into the water to send our Mother off in loving, serene and memorable way. I don't believe anyone is able to offer the services Caryn's offers and I recommend her to anyone seeking to have their loved one in considerate caring hands
We recently had to organise our baby son, Viliamu’s funeral. After searching and speaking with several funeral directors, we came across SBR.
Phil was immediately extremely helpful and very sincere. He took over all of the details. Planning a funeral can be a really overwhelming thing but we were so glad Phil was on hand.
He didn’t dismiss our cultural requests and was extremely accomodating. Our baby son was able to spend the night with us before his funeral and we are grateful Phil made it happen.
It was forecast to storm on the day of Vili’s funeral but Phil assured us that “it doesn’t rain on the days of their funerals”
He was right. It was nothing but Blue sky.
Caryn was amazing too and was so very lovely. They even wore beautiful Indigenous designs in tribute of our son. They made sure all the little details were taken care of, including my important Wattle.
We could not have asked for a better send off for our son & we will always be grateful to Phil & Caryn.
We would recommend them to anyone. Thankyou SBR!
Zarah Copeland profile picture
Zarah Copeland
6 years ago
Caryn and Phil from SBR Funerals were recommended to my family in a moment of need, and they went absolutely above and beyond to create a memorial service that was custom, sincere, and beautiful and budget friendly. Caryn is so warm, delightful and organised - she really took the stress out or everything! I would never go with any other funeral services provider after using them.

Need help now?
Please call us
0424 742 936

If someone has passed away, or you’re unsure what to do, the best thing is to call. We’re available 24 hours a day, and you’ll speak with a real person who can gently guide you through what happens next.

For general enquiries or planning ahead, you’re welcome to use the form. We’ll aim to respond within approximately 24 hours. If you need assistance sooner, please call us.