Known as “Joe” Late of Gayndah, formerly of Tasmania. Passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Friday, 3rd December 2021, aged 81 years. Much loved Partner of Shirley. Loving Father and Father-in-law of Joe, Tina, Darrell, Denise, Crystal, Gemma and their partners. Grandfather of Samantha, Alysia, Rebekah, Nathan, Dylan, Tiarna, Carter, Linkin, Stella. Cherished Brother of Pauline, Graham, Ann, Jill, Peter. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a celebration of Joe’s life to be held at the graveside, Gayndah Lawn Cemetery on Monday, 13th December 2021, commencing at 11 am. COVID-19 regulations apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. Joe’s funeral service will be live streamed and those wishing to participate should email: admin@jenlesley.com.au
Dealing with the loss of a pet
Pets can be a wonderful and much loved addition to any family, however many people find coping with the loss of a pet almost as hard as dealing with the loss of a human. While Burnett Regional Funeral Services does not offer services around pet death, burial and cremation, we understand how difficult this time can be. In this article, we’ll talk about things you can do to help cope with the loss of a pet, and different things you can do to memorialise your lost furry friend. When we lose a person that we love, other people accept our grief and are generally very understanding. Unfortunately, when we lose a pet we are not always met with the same level of understanding and kindness. Animals can be very central in our lives – they are our companions, our guides and sometimes our very best friends – however sometimes this cannot be understood by other people who can’t see why you are grieving over ‘just a pet’. As pet owners ourselves, if you’re grieving the loss of a pet, we see you and we understand. Many humans forge powerful bonds with their pets – they love you unconditionally and can make even your worst days seem better, so it makes perfect sense to grieve when they die. The Stages of Grief The stages of grief are just the same, no matter whether you’re grieving a human, an animal or a situation. Initially, you may experience denial and a feeling of numbness. This is a normal defence mechanism that protects you from the flood of emotions that come with loss. This may turn into anger – this is when reality starts to sink in, and start to feel the emotion of your loss. You might feel frustrated, helpless or cheated, and this may turn into anger directed at yourself, someone or something else or even the animal that has passed away. With time, anger may give way to bargaining. You might start to think “what if I did something differently” or “If only I had done…”. You might even find yourself trying to make a deal with a higher power, and again, this is a normal response to grief. Sadness may set in as you begin to understand the impact of your loss on your life. You might feel tearful and cry, struggle with poor appetite, experience sleep issues and feel sad, lonely and regretful. After a period of time, which is totally individual to the person who is going through the grief process, you will come to acceptance. This doesn’t mean that you are not sad, but you have accepted your loss and that you can and will move on with your life. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and no correct amount of time to grieve. Some people will grieve the loss of their pets for days, others weeks or even years. Tips for coping Reach out to someone who you know will lend a … Read More
LOCKHART, PATRICIA DAWN
LOCKHART, Patricia Dawn (nee Newport) Known as “Patty” Late of Gayndah. Passed away peacefully on Thursday, 25th November 2021, aged 75 years. Loving Wife of Barry (dec’d). Beloved Daughter of Charlie (dec’d) and Stella (dec’d). Much loved Sister of Jim (dec’d), Garry (dec’d), Brian (dec’d), Sandra (dec’d), Neville, Donald (dec’d), Suzanne. Cherished Aunt, Great-Aunt, Great-Great-Aunt of her family. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a celebration of Patty’s life to be held at St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Capper Street, Gayndah on Tuesday, 7th December 2021, commencing at 10 am, followed by interment at the Gayndah Lawn Cemetery. “Forever in our hearts” COVID-19 regulations apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR app. Patty’s funeral service will be live streamed and anyone wishing to participate should email admin@jenlesley.com.au
Poems and Readings for Funerals
Poetry, quotes and other kinds of prose are often used during funerals and memorial services as a way to pay tribute to a person who has passed away. Sharing such pieces of short literature are not only a wonderful way to remember and celebrate the person you have lost, but they can also be useful in helping people to cope with grief and offer comfort. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite poems and readings that you might like to consider if you’re planning a funeral. Remember, it’s always important to acknowledge the author when known in order to comply with copyright laws. Bible Verses The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom The power and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen John 3:16-21 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” John 14 : 1 – 6 Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said: “Lord, we don’t even know where you are going! How can we know the way?” “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father.” Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod … Read More
POLZIN, LESLIE JOHN
Known as “Les” Late of Gayndah. Passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, 20th November 2021, aged 82 years. Much loved Husband of Marion. Beloved Father and Father-in-law of Stephen and Leanne, Boyd and Jackie, Owen and Lorraine, Cameron and Susan. Devoted Pop of his Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren. Cherished Brother and Brother-in-law and loving Uncle of his family. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a celebration of Les’ life to be held at the Gayndah Show Hall on Monday, 29th November 2021, commencing at 10 am, followed by a private cremation. COVID-19 regulations apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR app. Les’ funeral service will be live streamed and anyone wishing to participate should email: admin@jenlesley.com.au
McGEOUGH, WILLIAM
Known as “Bill” Late of Biggenden, formerly of Sydney. Passed away peacefully on Sunday, 14th November 2021, aged 80 years. Precious Husband of Margaret. Much loved Father and Father-in-law of Liam, Patrick (dec’d), Elizabeth and Neale, Margaret, Colleen, Sean and Lesley, Tina and Lee, Vanessa and Ben, Kenneth and Melanie. Adored Poppy Bill of thirty Grandchildren and twenty-three Great-grandchildren. Beloved Brother and Brother-in-law of his family. Loving Uncle and Special Friend to many. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Bill’s life to be held at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Biggenden on Wednesday, 24th November 2021, commencing at 11 am, followed by interment at the Degilbo Monumental Cemetery. “Gone Fishing” COVID-19 restrictions will apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR Code. The funeral service will be live streamed and those wishing to participate, should email: admin@jenlesley.com.au
Reading list: Books to help cope with death, dying and grief
It might sound morbid to actively seek out information on death and dying, but as humans whether we want to or not, we do dwell on death. Believe it or not, reading about dying can actually be a very helpful and practical activity that serves a range of purposes. Reading about death can help us through different stages of the grieving process, can help us face our fears about dying and can also be useful when you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It’s easy to sweep the topic of death under the carpet until you lose someone you love or you are faced with a terminal diagnosis yourself, but we encourage you to read your way around your questions and fears. There are literally thousands of books out there on the topic of death and dying, but here we’ve put together a small reading list (in no particular order) of some of what is available out there for you. Ultimately, you have to do what works for you, but we hope that this article provides some guidance in a useful direction. We’ve also included some books to help children understand death at the end of this article. Surviving the Tsunami of Grief – Katrina Taee and Wendelien McNicoll “An illustrated and oral guide to grief, for those who are grieving and their families and friends who are supporting them. It offers guidance, wisdom and hope for the longer bereavement journey. The last three chapters suggest ways people can help those who grieve and offers practical and useful suggestions to support them.” With the end in Mind – Dr Kathryn Mannix “How should we think of death and how can we prepare for it? With the End in Mind is a book for us all: the grieving and bereaved, the ill and the healthy. By turns touching and tragic, funny and wise, it tells powerful human stories of life and death… A powerful and emotional book based on a lifetime’s clinical experience, With the End in Mind offers calm, wise advice on how to face death, live fully and find a model for hope in dark times.” Outside the Box – Liz Rothschild “We live in a society where people struggle to look death in the eye. Death has become the territory of professionals and we rarely see a dead body, unless it is someone very close to us. Death has become hidden, and so more traumatic. This book shows that, if we start talking openly about death, it can change the way we live. In it, people from all walks of life share their experiences and what they have learned from accompanying others. Heartbreaking, angry, questioning and contradictory – even laugh-aloud funny – the stories illuminate, inspire, reassure and inform. They are accompanied by advice and comment from professionals working in end-of-life planning, health, bereavement and funeral care.” Undying – Michael Faber “In Undying Michel Faber honours the memory of his wife, who died after a … Read More
BECKER, Margaret Joan
Nee McKee Known as Margaret. Late of Mundubbera, formerly of Warwick. Passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Monday, 8th November 2021, aged 81 years. Much loved Wife of Tony. Loving Mother and Mother-in-law of Ross and Melita, David and Kim. Cherished Daughter of William (dec’d) and Beatrice (dec’d). Loving Nan and MaMa of Caley, Braydon, Ashleigh, Emma, Lillie, Tyson, Jai, Riley, Michael, Meredith. Beloved Sister and Sister-in-law of Keith (dec’d), Dawn (dec’d), Veronica, Valerie, Kerry, Robert (dec’d). Relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend a celebration of Margaret’s life to be held at the Mundubbera Town Hall on Thursday, 18th November 2021, commencing at 1.30 pm, followed by interment in the Mundubbera Lawn Cemetery. “Forever in our hearts” COVID-19 restrictions will apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. All attendees will be required to sign in using the Qld QR App. Margaret’s funeral service will be live streamed and those wishing to participate should email Burnett Regional Funeral Services on admin@jenlesley.com.au
BELL, Raymond Trinity
Known as “Frog” Late of Mundubbera. Tragically taken on Saturday, 6th November 2021, aged 28 years. Adored Partner of Kelly and cherished Daddy of Haisley. Only Son of Cuz (dec’d) and Ma. Beloved Son-in-law of Bruce and Debby. Adored Brother and Brother-in-law of Cherie, Jodie, Tracey and Reece, Victoria and Nato, Niecy and Kev, Lindsay, Missy, Dale, Coby, Cameron, Mikaela. Much loved Grandson, Uncle, Nephew and Cousin of his extended family and great mate to many. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a farewell service for Frog to be held at the Mundubbera Town Hall on 20th November 2021, commencing at 10 am, followed by a private cremation. COVID-19 regulations will apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. All attendees will have to sign in using the QLD QR App. Frog’s funeral service will be live streamed, and those wishing to participate should email: admin@jenlesley.com.au
FOWLER, Joyce Winifred
Nee Cocking Late of Coalstoun Lakes. Passed away peacefully on Friday, 5th November 2021, aged 93 years. Beloved Wife of Norman (dec’d). Loving Mother and Mother-in-law of Lynette, Elaine and Peter, Ivan (dec’d) and Linda, Alan and Sue, Carmel. Much loved Grandma and Great-grandma of eleven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Cherished Sister of Reg (dec’d), Wally (dec’d), Eric, Thelma, Heather, Vic (dec’d), Don (dec’d), Gwen, Ken (dec’d) and loving Sister-in-law and Aunt of their families. A wonderful friend of many. Relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend a celebration of Joyce’s life to be held at the Coalstoun Lakes Memorial Hall, Coalstoun Lakes on Monday, 15th November 2021 commencing at 10 am, followed by interment at the Coalstoun Lakes Cemetery. “Reunited with Norman” COVID-19 restrictions apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR App. The funeral service will be live streamed, and those wishing to participate should email: admin@jenlesley.com.au