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















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.
Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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