Something Beautiful Remains Aboriginal funeral service with a didgeridoo ceremony honouring cultural traditions.

First Nations & Aboriginal Funeral Services

When someone dies, the farewell may need to honour family, culture, community, Country, ceremony and deeply held beliefs.

At Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services, we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families with respectful, personalised funeral services. We understand that funerals and Sorry Business may involve many people, important cultural considerations and a strong need for family and community to come together.

We will listen first. We will work with the people you ask us to involve. And we will help you create a funeral that honours your loved one’s culture, identity, wishes and connection to the people and places that mattered to them.

Something Beautiful Remains white native floral arrangement prepared as a heartfelt tribute for a personalised funeral service.

Aboriginal funeral services with care and respect

Every family and community has its own way of farewelling someone they love.

Some funerals may include cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, community protocols, family decision-makers, Elders, clergy, celebrants, cultural advisors or community representatives. Others may be simpler, quieter or shaped around the wishes of the person who has died.

We will not assume what your family needs.

Caryn and Phil will talk with you about what matters, who should be involved and what needs to happen next. From there, we can help organise the practical arrangements while respecting the cultural and personal details that need to be held carefully.

Aboriginal artwork featured by Something Beautiful Remains for culturally respectful funeral services.

Supporting families, community and Sorry Business

Funerals and Sorry Business are often shared by family, extended family and community.

There may be many people who need to gather, speak, grieve, support each other or take part in the planning. We understand that these arrangements can be more than a formal service. They can be a time for family, community, culture and memory to come together.

We can help you think through the practical details of the funeral while making space for the people and customs that matter. This may include family meetings, community involvement, chosen speakers, cultural elements, music, readings, flowers, colours, personal objects, art, photographs, vehicles, stationery or other details that help tell the person’s story.

Funeral services shaped around culture, Country and family wishes

A First Nations funeral may include traditions, symbols, ceremony or personal details connected to culture, Country, family history, faith, spirituality or community life.

Some families may want to include artwork, colours, totems, landscapes, significant places, traditional memorabilia, music, dance, stories or other details that hold meaning. Others may want a service that is simple, private or guided by family wishes.

We can help you explore what feels right and what is practical.

The funeral can be traditional, cultural, spiritual, personal, community-led or a combination of different elements. There is no single way it needs to look. The most important thing is that it honours the person properly and feels right for the family and community around them.

Burial, cremation and practical funeral arrangements

Families can choose burial or cremation, depending on cultural wishes, family preferences, cost, location and practical needs.

We can help with:

burial or cremation arrangements
transport and care of your loved one
service coordination
documentation and compulsory forms
clergy, celebrants or nominated speakers
family, Elder or community involvement where appropriate
flowers, colours, music and readings
stationery and printed materials
vehicles and service details
custom coffins, urns, keepsakes or personal items
liaising with relevant organisations where needed
planning a service that allows family and community to gather

If there are specific cultural protocols, family responsibilities or community expectations, we will listen and work with the right people to help support them.

Working with Elders, family decision-makers and community representatives

We understand that funeral planning may not sit with one person only.

There may be Elders, family decision-makers, cultural advisors, community representatives, clergy, celebrants or other people who need to be part of the conversation. We can work with the people you ask us to involve and help coordinate the arrangements with care.

Our role is to guide, organise and support. Your family and community remain central to the decisions that matter.

Personal details that honour the person being remembered

A funeral should feel like the person you are remembering.

For some families, that means honouring culture, community and Country. For others, it may also include the person’s humour, music, colours, favourite places, football team, artwork, photographs, stories, clothing, flowers or personal belongings.

We can help include the small and large details that feel right.

This may also include personalised coffins, urns, biodegradable urns, keepsakes or other custom items that reflect the person’s life, culture, identity and story.

Aboriginal funeral services in Lithgow, the Blue Mountains and NSW

Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services is locally owned and operated in Lithgow, with a Main Street presence and a personal, independent approach to funeral care.

We support families across Lithgow, the Blue Mountains, Seven Valleys, the Central Tablelands and selected Southern Sydney communities. We also continue to support families and communities who have trusted Caryn and Phil over many years.

If you are looking for an Aboriginal funeral director in Lithgow, the Blue Mountains, the Central Tablelands or selected Sydney areas, you can call Caryn and Phil and talk through what has happened, who needs to be involved and what kind of support your family needs.

Supporting First Nations families and communities

We work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities across a wide area, including Campbelltown on Dharawal Country, La Perouse and surrounding communities connected with the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples, and Redfern on Gadigal Country.

Every family, community and cultural tradition is different, so our approach begins with listening, understanding what is important to you and creating something that reflects the person, their story, family and connection to Country.

Our custom coffins can also be designed in consultation with families and communities and shipped anywhere in Australia.

You do not have to know where to start

If someone has passed away, please contact us.

You do not need to have the ceremony planned. You do not need to know every detail. You only need to tell us what has happened, and we will help you understand the next step.

We will listen carefully, explain what needs to happen and help you create a farewell that honours your loved one with care, dignity and respect.

Call Caryn and Phil any time.

“He didn’t dismiss our cultural requests and was extremely accommodating.”

E Kuki-Kelekolio

Google Reviews

Something Beautiful Remains Funeral Services

5.0

Based on 12 reviews

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Lucy Nightingale

3 weeks ago

Kia Ora!

I had the pleasure of working alongside Caryn at Something Beautiful Remains for a family funeral. I can’t speak more highly of her dedication to delivering a traditional Māori funeral and simultaneously ensure not only customs are observed but all whānau are considered.

Caryn has an incredible ability to work respectfully and thoughtfully with my family. Her understanding of our cultural and religious beliefs, without assumptions. Both Caryn & Phil take the time to understand and honour each individual's wishes.

We have worked with them over many years now and we are always confident that every funeral is handled with genuine care and with regards to making sure no service is the same.
Together they are passionate in supporting my family on every single service.

They are now trusted friends that we call on whenever necessary. When Caryn arrives the family come out to greet her and are genuinely pleased to see her.

Everytime we finish a service, Caryn wishes us love and says "she doesn't want to see us again for a very long time". We used to laugh and say "We never want to see you ever again."

These days, we all understand that each is true but we wouldn't have it any other way when we find ourselves in need of Caryn's services again.

Kelli Lawson

2 months ago

I've never met a lady as kind, she has a heart of gold, she has helped me so much and I cannot thank her enough! 💓 words can't explain just how lovely and caring she is, and I will be forever greatful 💖

Ingrid Winter

3 months ago

When my mother passed away, Caryn and her team ensured the whole process was stress free in a very caring way. Caryn organized a flower arrangement class so that our whole family was involved in preparing the arrangements which made for a beautiful time together and eased a very difficult time of our lives. So grateful for her assistance during this time.

tristan hanlon

4 months ago

When my mum Tricia passed away in April 2023 at 83, I found myself planning a funeral for the second time. In 2018 Caryn and Phil at Something Beautiful Remains had done such an incredible job with my brother’s funeral that I already knew Mum would have wanted the same for herself.

Caryn genuinely cares. For her, it’s not about “going above and beyond”, it’s just about doing the right thing. She cares deeply about the families she works with and the experience they have.

I originally found Caryn through a Facebook group when I was asking for recommendations. She replied with kindness and helpful advice without even promoting her business. We met at Pancakes on the Rocks and the rest is history.

By the time we were organising Mum’s farewell, Caryn knew our family well, including the infamous dead parrot story. What could have been just a funeral became this incredible, personal, funny, heartfelt celebration of Mum’s life. Honestly, it felt more like a theatrical production than a funeral, in the best possible way.

They created something that felt completely “us” and completely her. I’ll always be grateful for that. Just amazing.

Jim Hull

At a time when you need a caring , considerate person willing to listen and understand your grieving without pressure or hassle to sign on the dotted line, We can absolutely recommend Caryn and Phil from SBR . It was like having a caring cousin or best friend who explained the necessary paperwork in layman's terms and our options to lay our loved ones to rest with grace and dignity while keeping it very personal . Their service is exceptional and without equal . You can't go past SBR for local knowledge and a service with empathy.

Jim Viney

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.

Lynda Hockley

5 months ago

I would like to say a huge thank you to Caryn & Phil for everything they have done for my family.
I had sent an email on the Easter long weekend and I got a phone call from Caryn who just went out of her way to be so helpful and explained everything from the process that would take place what I need to provide and do to make this process as easy for my family.
Caryn & Phil were so compassionate so patient towards the whole family from start to finish.
I could not have asked for anything more from Something Beautiful Remains Funeral. I dont know how i or my family would of gotten through this devastating time in our lives from coming to grips with loosing a loved one to organising a cremation to the service and everything that is required
I would like to say the biggest thank you again to Caryn and Phil, thank you so much for making the worst time in my families life such a beautiful memory.

Alexia Dobbin

There are absolutely no words! Caryn & Phil handled everything with such care, grace and humanity when my father died. I’ll never forget my first call with Caryn my father was in end of life care and we started to do some research. I called Caryn and she said “Darling, when it happens just call me, you don’t even need to say anything. I will just know and I will get into action”. A few weeks later, I made the hardest call to Caryn and she truly lived up to her word. Caryn, I will be forever grateful for the kindness, professionalism, and respect you showed not only my father, but my entire family. You are the definition of an angel on earth and I couldn’t recommend a more personable, professional and respectful funeral director to anyone who has to move forward with their darkest hour for a loved one. If I could I would rate SBR a 20/10 and when the time comes and I need to go through hell again, I know Caryn and Phil will be my first call. Angels on earth & apart of my family for life. THANK YOU ***written with tears 😭

Wendy Cousens

I cannot begin to express how wonderful Caryn and her staff at Something Beautiful Remains are.

When the nursing home our mother was living in informed us that it was time to look at finding a funeral service we had no experience with this other than our father's service in a chapel at a crematorium in 1993.

On undertaking some research we found that the larger well known funeral homes seemed repressive and nothing like the carefree spirit our mother was.

Then like some sort of miracle we found Something Beautiful Remains. We set up a meeting however prior to the meeting our mother passed. I got the call at 5.15 am and after speaking with family Caryn was the next person I called. Caryn can only be described as a guardian angel on that sad day.

On meeting with Caryn we discussed our mother's life. Our mother was an avid fisher woman and all Xmas eve holidays were spent fishing near Sans Souci with a bucket of KFC for dinner.

Our mother had been confined to the nursing home for 2 years and we did not want her final send off to be confined to a room. Caryn suggested we hold our mother's wake at the place she loved, doing what she loved and to bring back those wonderful happy memories of all those Xmas eves many moons ago sharing some KFC at the wake.

Caryn had set out our mother's ashes in a lovely box with a person fishing with a table with fishing rods and sea shells.

Although the day was a sad occasion and there were many tears shed, there was also laughter and this was assisted by Caryn and her wonderful team.

We will forever be grateful and Caryn and I have remained in contact since that sad day and she is now like family.

The Lawrence and Cousens families

Melly Marie

2 years 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

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

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

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

Ellee Kuki-Kelekolio

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

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.

First Nations / Aboriginal funeral