Known as “Jack” Late of Coringa, formerly of Sydney. Passed away peacefully on Thursday, 03 February 2022, aged 99 years. Cherished Husband of Sylvia (dec’d). Much loved Father and Father-in-law of John and Heather, Judith (dec’d), Dianne (dec’d) and Rod. Adored Grandfather of John, Rees and Ryan and Great-Grandfather to Thea. Treasured Brother to Clive and Beryl. Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service for Jack, to be held at the Biggenden Memorial Hall, on Saturday, 19 February 2022, commencing at 12pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Legacy would be appreciated. Envelopes available at the service. Covid-19 rules still apply, social distancing and hand sanitising is essential, wearing of masks is recommended. Jack’s service will be livestreamed and those wishing to participate should email admin@jenlesley.com.au.
Is it normal to worry about someone you love dying?
Wondering whether it is normal to worry about someone you love dying is a topic that comes up often. It’s the type of worry that no-one is immune to, yet so many of us hide our fears, concerned that it might not be normal to feel the fear and anxiety around loss that we do. It’s also common to fear death in general, and to fear your own death and leaving behind those you love. Sometimes, this fear can become a serious and debilitating phobia – Thanatophobia. In this article, our focus is on fearing the death of a loved one. This kind of anxiety falls into two different categories, and they both require very different approaches so let’s start by identifying the two. According to psychology today, this kind of fear either focusses on worry when a loved one is at a higher than usual risk of death, for example, if they have been diagnosed with cancer or a terminal illness. However, you can also feel fear and anxiety about a loved one dying, even though they are not at any particular risk for dying. Despite that, you might not be able to stop worrying about it. Let’s discuss the first scenario around death-based anxiety first. Psychologist Jade Wu, points out that knowing death is inevitable and actually accepting it are two very different things, and one does not necessarily lead to the other. If you’re facing a situation where someone you love is dying, it’s important to allow yourself to feel the full range of grief. It’s when it becomes paralyzing that it is a problem and you should consider seeking support. Signs of this include an inability to enjoy the time you have with them now because you’re so focused on their death and being unable to manage basic day to day life and self-care. To help, Dr Wu suggests “climbing down the what if tree”. “The what-if tree has a sturdy trunk with strong roots at the bottom—that’s the present moment,” she writes. “It’s safe there; you feel grounded. As you climb the what-if tree, with each branching what-if scenario the branches get thinner and your footing gets shakier. This place poses more of a risk. At some point, it’s not useful to think that far ahead.” That doesn’t mean putting off important topics like decisions around medical and end of life care, however, setting aside time to address your to do list rather than allowing it to become all-encompassing can be helpful. It’s also important not to avoid having conversations about death. Over the past year, we’ve published several blog posts around how to discuss death and these can offer you some insight into having those awkward conversations. You don’t have to have a loved one with a terminal diagnosis in order to fear their death. When you experience anxiety about death of a loved one who is not currently at a higher risk of death, Dr Wu says it’s important to find ways to … Read More
HEITMANN, Gweneth Thelma
(nee Burns) Known as ‘Gwen’ or ‘Mama’. Passed away peacefully on Tuesday 1February 2022, aged 91 years. Wife of Norman Hietmann(dec’d). Loving Mother to Lindsey, Alan(dec’d) and Jennifer. Loving Mother-in-law, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Sister-in-law, beloved relative ,and friend to many. Family and Friends are respectfully invited to attend a celebration of Gwen’s life to be held at St Matthew’s Anglican Church Gayndah, Friday 11 February 2022, commencing at 10.00am, followed by interment at the Gayndah Lawn Cemetery. Following the interment, attendee’s are invited to join the family at the Gayndah Bowls Club for refreshments. “Forever in our Hearts” COVID-19 regulations will apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. Face masks are recommended. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR App. Gwen’s funeral service will be livestreamed and those wishing to participate should email: admin@jenlesley.com.au
WICHT, Waldo Ewald
Late of Mundubbera. Formerly South Africa. Passed away suddenly on Sunday, 30th of January 2022, aged 57 years. Treasured Father of Verity. Brother and Brother-in-law of Rosalie, Barry and Hein. Uncle of Trevor and Summer. Relatives and Friends are warmly invited to attend a Farewell Service for Waldo, to be held in the RSL Hall Mundubbera, Tuesday 8th February 2022, commencing at 10.30am. COVID-19 rules apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. Face masks will be required. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR App. Waldo’s funeral service will be livestreamed and those wishing to participate should email: admin@jenlesley.com.au “At Peace”
DOYLE, Deborah Ann
Known as “Deb” Late of Mundubbera, formerly of Hervey Bay. Passed away suddenly on Saturday, 22nd January 2022, aged 63 years. Much loved Partner of David. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Deb’s life to be held at the Pioneer Chapel, Maryborough Crematorium on Tuesday, 1st February 2022, commencing at 10 am. COVID-19 rules apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. Face masks will be required. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR App.
HAMILTON, CAMERON ROBERT
Late of Bundaberg, formerly of “Telemark”, Eidsvold. Passed away peacefully on Saturday, 1January 2022, aged 59 years. Beloved Son of Bob (dec’d) and Bernice (dec’d). Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Cameron’s life to be held at the Graveside, Eidsvold Lawn Cemetery, on Friday, 28 January 2022, commencing at 10am. COVID-19 restrictions apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing is essential. Face masks are recommended. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR App.
Dealing with Unexpected Death
Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy but dealing with an unexpected death can be extra challenging. When a death is expected there is time to prepare. There is the opportunity to say goodbye, and to make a certain level of peace with what is to come. But when a death is unexpected, those left behind are left without those opportunities. A sudden, unexpected death can happen for a wide range of reasons – it may be a heart attack, stroke or other medical emergency, an accident or suicide. Regardless of how it comes about, dealing with a sudden death is challenging to even the strongest person While most people can and will experience shock, confusion and grief when someone close to them dies, these feelings can be amplified if a death is sudden and unexpected. Each situation will carry it’s own emotional difficulties, depending on the circumstances of the death. In fact, any sudden or traumatic death will bring with it a series of challenges on one’s internal resources. You might also experience disbelief, hope that news of the situation is wrong (particularly in cases where physical evidence is absent, for example, someone missing at sea or a plane crash), absent grief (where what has happened has not yet registered in your mind), regrets (particularly around the inability to say goodbye, things you wish you did differently, or things that were said or went unsaid), guilt, anger or a sense of helplessness. There is no right way to cope, and you’ve ultimately got to do what feels right for you, but here are some ideas that might get you started on the road to processing your grief. If you were with the person when they died, you might feel the need to share your story. While you might worry this could be frowned upon, we’d like to reassure you that it’s a perfectly normal response. You may like to seek the help of a registered professional, for example, a counsellor or psychologist, or you may prefer to confide in a trusted friend. You might also find that it’s important for you to be honest in sharing you experience, rather than glossing over parts of the story. If you feel the need to talk through your experience, make sure that it’s with a person who you know will make you feel safe and supported, whatever that may look like for you. It might also be helpful to share your feelings and experiences with other people who have gone through similar experiences. It’s important to surround yourself with people that understand that grief is a process and it will take time to make sense of what has happened. It is important during this time that the bereaved person feels loved, supported and listened to. When you’re dealing with an unexpected death, its important that you monitor your physical and mental state, and seek help for any health issues that may arise during this time of distress and … Read More
How to pre-plan your own funeral
Pre-planning your funeral has become increasingly popular over the past few years, so it’s no surprise the majority of questions we receive are about how to plan your own funeral. Many people are surprised to find that not only is pre-planning you own funeral simpler than most people realise, but in fact, there are many advantages to doing so. One of the biggest advantages of pre-planning you own funeral that causes many people to take the leap is the fact that you can decide how you want to be farewelled from this life. When you pre-plan your funeral with Burnett Regional Funeral Services, we sit down with you and talk you through your choices. During our consultation we will discuss everything from whether you’d like to be buried or cremated, where you’d like to be buried or where (and if!) you’d like your ashes to be scattered to the music you’d like to be played, who you’d like to give the eulogy and who should carry your coffin. However, the biggest advantage to pre-planning you own funeral is that it takes an enormous amount of pressure off your loved ones during what will be one of the most difficult times of their life. Let’s face it, losing someone you love is so hard, and having to make decisions around funeral arrangements can often result in additional anxiety, stress and even arguments that could have been otherwise avoided. Pre-planning your funeral allows you to leave one final gift to your loved ones – the gift of not having to worry because everything is already done. I know what you’re thinking – that all sounds great, but how do I actually plan my own funeral? The first step is to get in touch with us. We will make an appointment for a member of our caring and friendly team to meet with you at your home or our office, where we will take pen to paper and help you to decide exactly what you want for you funeral. Based on the information we gather, we will be able to provide you with a quote and advise you on your payment options. If you are looking for a longer term payment option, we work in partnership with Flexible Funeral Benefits, a company based in Bundaberg, to help you pay for your funeral over time rather than in one lump sum. It can be helpful to start thinking about what kind of funeral or celebration of life you’d like before your initial meeting with us. Some of the topics we will discuss with you at our pre-arrangement meeting include whether you would like to be buried or cremated and where you would like to be buried or what should happen with your ashes, what kind of coffin you would like, whether or not you would like a funeral service, what kinds of flowers you’d like, any poems, reading and music you’d like, who you would like to do those readings and, of course, any … Read More
COCKING, Eric Desmond
Known as “Joe”. Late of Biggenden formerly of Coalstoun Lakes. Passed away peacefully on Sunday 26 December 2021, aged 90 years. Loving Husband of Ros. Much loved Father and Father-in-law of Kate, Denis, Donna, Lynda and Henry. Adored Grandad of 11 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren. Beloved Brother of Reg(dec’d), Joyce(dec’d), Wally(dçed), Victor(dec’d), Heather, Thelma, Don(dçed), Gwen and Ken(dec’d). Relatives and Friends are warmly invited to attend a Celebration of Eric (“Joe’s”) life to be held at the Coalstoun Lakes Lawn Cemetery on Monday, 10 January 2022, commencing at 10 am. “At Peace” COVID-19 regulations will apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. Face masks are recommended. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR App. Eric/Joe’s funeral service will be livestreamed and those wishing to participate should email: admin@jenlesley.com.au
RICE, Mary Ellen
(nee Currier). Late of Palm Lakes Care, Bargara formerly of Eidsvold. Passed away peacefully on Friday the 24th December 2021, aged 94 years. Adored Wife of Colin. Loving Mother and Mother-in-Law of Mavis, Eileen and Len and Glynis. Cherished Grandma of Bevin, Andrew, Darlene, Jason, Conway, Imogen and Great Grandma to eight great-great-grandchildren. Loving Sister and Sister-in-law of Tom(dec’d), Cathy and Ron. Beloved Aunt and Special Friend of her extended family. Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Mary’s life, to be held at the Eidsvold Lawn Cemetery on Friday the 7th January 2022, commencing at 10 am. “Forever in our Hearts” COVID-19 regulations will apply. Hand sanitizing and social distancing are essential. Face masks are recommended. All attendees must sign in using the Qld QR App.