“A funeral that is meaningful and memorable can help you come to terms with the reality of a death, to remember, to grieve and to celebrate that person’s life with family and friends.”
 
 
 

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When someone you love dies and you are responsible for organising the funeral or memorial service, it’s not surprising to feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted and unsure where to start. 
You don’t need to feel that you have to do all that organising on your own.
As an experienced, dedicated and caring Funeral Celebrant, I'll support you right from the start to make one of your hardest days a little easier.
You'll have help from me with everything from writing the eulogy, music choices, tributes, photo slideshows, video tributes and special inclusions. I'll provide structure for the service and co-ordinate everything  so it all runs smoothly.
When we meet, I shall listen intently, ask lots of questions and spend plenty of time getting to know your loved one and your family, so I can create and deliver a ceremony which truly reflects them – their personality, values and specific wishes.
Although the day itself can be intense and sad, it can also be comforting and affirming sharing and hearing about your loved one’s life.
Each service is different because each person is different. What really matters is that the funeral captures the essence of your loved one.
There will be tears, hugs and many tender smiles on the day as we say farewell to your loved one with gratitude, respect and much love.

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"Rita was very patient, understanding and nothing was ever too much trouble for her.

During the service, her warmth, kindness, respect and sincerity shone through every word.

She supported me and my family incredibly through a really difficult time.“

Kerryn D. & family

ABOUT ME

Being a funeral celebrant is a challenging job.  It comes with huge responsibility coupled with enormous satisfaction. 
I love it.
 “We could not have done this without you,” is the most precious of compliments I can hear from the family and friends.
I’ve been a registered Marriage Celebrant for fifteen years. Ten years ago I conducted my first funeral for a young man whose wedding I had officiated just two years before. Celebrating with his family on one of their happiest days, and then helping them through one of their saddest days was both heart-breaking and incredibly fulfilling for me. 
I feel deeply honoured that families trust me with their feelings, their memories, their pain, their tears. I'm deeply touched by their openness and bravery.

We usually have a little cry together, a much needed laugh at the funny stories and drink lots of tea !
There is often not much time to prepare for a funeral or memorial, but when we meet to gather all the information, I shall create a safe and supportive space where everyone can speak freely, have their input valued and feel heard.
I take great care in weaving the stories of your loved one together.
It is a privilege to be entrusted with helping you farewell them.
You can rest assured, that I will be there for you every step of the way.
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“Bereaved families always tell me how important and comforting it was for them that they were able to fulfil their loved one’s wishes by having had input into the service.”

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SERVICES

With nearly a decade of experience as a Funeral Celebrant in Melbourne, I can offer a wealth of expertise and suggestions if you find yourself needing to organise :
·     a Funeral service with a Burial or Cremation
·    Graveside service
·    Memorial service 
·    Interment/Scattering of ashes 
·    Bi-lingual service – incorporating English and Italian or French
There is no right or wrong way when it comes to how you would like the service to unfold and what you would like to include. We can be as creative or as traditional as you think will best suit your loved one.
For memorials, I can suggest many interesting venues and locations in Melbourne where a service could be conducted, as well as my network of trusted contacts and suppliers who will help make it all happen.
All cultures, nationalities, persuasions, non/religious/spiritual backgrounds are welcomed and respected and I’d love to incorporate any significant traditions or requests you may have into the ceremony.

SERVICES IN OTHER LANGUAGES

I am one of Melbourne’s few  multi-lingual funeral celebrants -  Italian, French, Maltese and English.
I have conducted many services where the family have asked me if I could acknowledge a loved one’s cultural heritage by presenting a  poem, prayers, family tributes, letters or quotes in Italian/French, for the benefit of their older family members or family overseas who may be watching via live stream. 
I love being able to do that for my families.

 REVIEWS

  • Thank you Rita.

    The loss of any parent is a difficult and often complex time for many families and ours was no different.

    With great empathy, sensitivity and understanding, Rita carefully and professionally guided us through the process of our farewell, allowing my siblings and I to share our memories and to then prepare them into a positive and memorable eulogy.

    Rita’s extensive experience shone through. The service flowed beautifully.

    Rita supported us, and all those attending, to remember our mother in a happy, calm and peaceful way.

    We would highly recommend Rita Cohann for an ‘End of Life’ service or Memorial.

    M.H. & Family

  • Rita, we were blessed for your guidance and kindness at the time of my sister’s death.

    We were overwhelmed by sadness.

    Through your quiet confidence you were a guiding light.

    You helped us create a service that shared joyful stories and personal thoughts.

    You introduced us to a most compassionate family run cremation/burial business.

    My sister was sent with both grace and humility that suited both her sense of departure and ours.

    We miss her deeply.

    But we have strength knowing through your help we farewelled her in the most loving and respectful way. Thank you.

    Libbi B. 2021

  • Rita Cohann conducted both funerals, when we lost both our parents this year within a few weeks of each other.

    It was a really hard time, but Rita was fabulous.

    She spent a lot of time getting to know us, checking the facts, gathering the stories, helping us to choose music and much more.

    On top of that, Rita is so caring and I found her a comfort to be with with while grieving.

    Her service and words were beautiful. Many people agreed and praised her specifically.

    I highly recommend Rita Cohann as a caring, thoughtful funeral celebrant, who goes the extra mile.

    The Brunning family

  • From the moment I asked Rita Cohann to conduct the memorial service for my beautiful Dad, to well after the celebration of his life, Rita was nurturing, empathetic, caring, helpful and supportive.

    We shared a joyous afternoon over tea and cakes organising the service together, reminiscing about my Dad’s life, which is very comforting after loss.

    Rita is very sensitive to your feelings and extremely respectful with the process.

    She is also very helpful with speeches and helped me perfect mine, which I loved and made me more confident on the day.

    I wanted an Irish style wake for my Dad, and it was exactly that. We celebrated him with more laughter than tears which was an absolute highlight for me after losing someone so close.

    Rita is warm, engaging and accommodating - whatever style will best represent your loved one, Rita will conduct the service with integrity, honour and respect.

    Absolutely 100% recommended.

  • Dear Rita

    Mum and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your help over the last week and for creating such a wonderful service for my Dad.

    It was a sad day, but made so much nicer by having you speak about his life.

    We would not have wanted anyone else to help us farewell him, thank you so very much.

    Jodi and Julie W.

  • Rita spent a lot of time with us and ensured that she got to know our Uncle Jim well.

    She brought such warmth and compassion to his funeral and she made the day quite beautiful.

    What stood out for us was Rita's kindness, care and commitment, her attention to detail and extraordinary organisational skills.

    As the story of Uncle Jim's life unfolded through the ceremony, the warm and humorous stories were also there which portrayed him so perfectly.

    We would never have anyone else for any of our family services or celebrations.

    Thank you dear Rita, you've stood by us through our most important moments.

    The Porcaro family

  • Rita conducted the 'Celebration of Life' service for my beloved sister.

    I knew Rita's warmth and energy, would be key when paying homage to my equally vibrant sister.

    The Eulogy which Rita wrote for her was so tender and heartfelt that everyone kept telling us it was the most beautiful service they had ever experienced.

    Deeply compassionate and highly professional, Rita is meticulous in her preparation ensuring that everything runs smoothy.

    Her wealth of knowledge and creative ideas helped us make the event a little less sad and more unique.

    I am forever grateful to Rita for helping us have such a fitting tribute to my sister.

    I recommend her very highly.

    Danielle B & family

  • HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!

    Rita was a delight to deal with!

    She was very warm and empathetic from the initial meeting with family to the day of the funeral for my grandfather.

    Nothing was too hard for her.

    All requests and instructions were included to perfection.

    We will be using Rita in the future should we need a celebrant.

    A very lovely lady with a big heart.

    Thank you so much Rita, all was deeply appreciated.

    The Alunni family

  • On behalf of all our family, thank you Rita, for the best farewell we could ever have wanted for our dear father, father-in-law, Pop and great Pop John.

    You supported us in our grief as we talked about John and then you transformed all that into words which touched the hearts of everyone who attended.

    We want you to know that we had numerous people coming up to us to say you were just beautiful in how you spoke about John.

    Thank you for all your hard work.

    The Schultz family

  • Rita you were so amazing.

    Thanks so much for writing and conducting the most incredible service.

    We are all in awe of Mum’s send off. What a special day and farewell you created for us.

    It just meant so much to us - you are now part of our family.

    So grateful and thankful for everything you did for us.

    The D’Angelo family

  • I was so pleased to have found Rita.

    She was incredibly well organised and it was clear that she had dedicated much time and effort into making my father's Celebration of Life service so very special.

    She truly connected with everyone there and delivered the ceremony with genuine warmth and compassion.

    I highly recommend Rita Cohann, for her personalised and professional service.

    Joanne B.

  • Rita, thank you for the most memorable and beautiful funeral anyone could ever have imagined for my darling Dad.

    I’ll never forget the amazing job you did, which exceeded all my expectations.

    L.M.

  • Rita is a very empathetic and passionate funeral celebrant.

    She listened carefully, made intelligent suggestions.

    She took great care in creating just the right farewell service our beautiful E.

    Rita is also an extremely caring, compassionate person and was such a calming energy during what was an extremely difficult and painful time for us.

    She made a very sad day, a very special and memorable one for our family.

    L.L

  • Thank you Rita. You were the perfect person to help us farewell our dear Dad.

    Everybody loved the service.

    The Giuliano family

  • Thank you Rita for all your help and making Mum’s funeral such a special day for us all.

    We have received lots and lots of beautiful comments.

    So thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.

    The Gottardo family

  • We were so very fortunate to have you Rita, as our Funeral Celebrant. You are extraordinary, kind, caring and clearly love your job.

    There are not enough words to express our thanks.

    You prepared such a personal and heartfelt funeral for my darling Dad.

    You captured our family’s quirks and characters as if you had know us forever.

    You are a true story teller.

    It meant a lot to get everything right for Dad’s funeral and you made sure that happened.

    The attention and effort you put into making his farewell perfect was incredible.

    Thank you again.

    The Marino family

Call for a chat

CONTACT ME

I’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch anytime.

If you are not up to talking yet, do drop me line by email or fill in the form and I’ll get back to you super fast.

I’m based in Preston and conduct services all over Melbourne and surrounding areas.

email:    rita@funeralcelebrantmelbourne.net

Mobile: 0412 420 692