Aboriginal Funerals Sydney
Culturally safe funerals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across Sydney and the Central Coast, led by you and on your time.
Harmony Funerals acknowledges the Dharug people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our Blacktown care centre stands, and the Traditional Custodians of all the lands where we care for families across Sydney and the Central Coast. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dharug
Warami.Hello, and welcome.
Budyari nawunya.It is good to see you.
Dharug is the language of the Country our Blacktown care centre stands on. We share these words with respect.
For immediate assistance, please call 02 9676 2561 or 0451 713 811
English
Harmony Funerals has always been committed to giving every family the highest level of care and respect. Every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family, and every community, farewells their loved ones differently, so we start by listening.
We are guided by these commitments:
- Your family leads. We follow your customs and your timeline for Sorry Business, and never rush a farewell.
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to bring your loved one into our care wherever they are.
- We take the time to understand your family and kinship, so the right people are part of every decision.
- We can return your loved one to Country anywhere in Australia, and handle the transport and paperwork.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customs we can help with
- Time for Sorry Business, on your family’s timeline
- Smoking ceremonies at home, in the chapel or at the graveside, where the venue allows
- Returning your loved one to Country, anywhere in Australia
- Longer viewings, so family and community can say goodbye
- Not using your loved one’s name or photographs, if that is your custom, including on notices, service sheets and live streams
- Family washing and dressing your loved one
- Ochre, a possum-skin or burial cloak, paperbark, or soil from Country in the coffin
- The Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flag over the coffin
- Didgeridoo, clapsticks, song and dance, and singing in language and in English
- Large gatherings, a long carry, and time for everyone who needs to be there to arrive
- Shroud burial, including help applying to NSW Health for the exemption it needs
- Torres Strait Islander tombstone openings and unveilings
Customs differ between families, communities and Countries. Tell us what matters to your family and we will build the farewell around it. Have a yarn with us.
Questions families ask us
What is Sorry Business?
Sorry Business is a term used across many Aboriginal communities for the mourning practices, ceremonies, gatherings and time that follow a death. It looks different for every family and community, and its length is set by the family. We plan around it rather than asking you to fit around us.
Can you return my loved one to Country?
Yes. Being laid to rest on Country matters deeply to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. We can transport your loved one anywhere in Australia, work with the receiving community and funeral director, and look after the permits and paperwork.
Can we hold a smoking ceremony?
Yes. Smoking ceremonies can be held at home, at our chapel or at the graveside, led by the person your family chooses. Some venues and cemeteries have rules about fire, so we check with them early and arrange what is needed.
Will you use our loved one’s name and photos?
Only if your family wishes. In many communities the name and image of someone who has passed are not used for a time. We will ask you first and follow your wishes on notices, service sheets, slideshows and live streams.
Is there help with the cost of an Aboriginal funeral?
Some Local Aboriginal Land Councils and community organisations offer funeral support to their members, and some families have funeral cover or a prepaid plan. Call us and we will talk you through your options, with no obligation.
standing with you
Have a yarn with us
Whatever the time and whatever the circumstances, call Harmony Funerals on 02 9676 2561 or 0451 713 811. We will guide you through what happens next.