About Karen - creating ceremonies that matter

I am an independent funeral and marriage celebrant based in Melbourne's west. My work is guided by one simple belief: ceremonies matter. They mark our thresholds — moments of love, loss and change — and help us make meaning. Whether we are saying goodbye to someone or celebrating the beginning of a shared life, ceremony gives shape and voice to what words alone can’t hold.

My Focus — Funerals and Farewells
Funeral and memorial ceremonies are at the heart of my work.

I believe that a meaningful farewell provides both comfort and continuity, not only for the person who has died, but for those who must go on living.

Each ceremony I create is deeply personal and grounded in sincerity. I spend time getting to know the stories, values and spirit of your person, so the ceremony truly reflects who they were and the lives they touched.

Rituals, whether spoken, symbolic or shared, are an essential part of that process. They give people a way to participate, to honour and to begin healing.

As a celebrant, my role is to hold that space with warmth, respect, and care.

Weddings and Other Life Ceremonies
The same care and attention I bring to funerals guides the way I create all ceremonies. As an authorised marriage celebrant, I work with couples to craft weddings that are joyful, honest, and full of meaning.

Every wedding I write is a collaboration, a blend of your words and mine, your vision and my experience. Whether it’s an intimate elopement or a grand celebration, the ceremony itself remains at the heart of it all. After all, the only thing that makes a marriage legal is your celebrant — everything else is about meaning, ritual, and love.

Beyond funerals and weddings, I also create other ceremonies that mark life’s turning points — from memorials and commitment ceremonies to renewal of vows. Each one is designed with the same guiding principle: to create a moment that feels true and significant.

Background and Approach
Before becoming a celebrant, I spent many years working in education and community advocacy; roles that demanded listening, empathy and clarity. Those experiences now shape the way I approach my celebrancy work.

I hold a Certificate IV in Celebrancy and have completed Funeral Celebrancy training with Sally Cant. I am an Authorised Marriage Celebrant, registered with the Attorney-General’s Department.

My approach is grounded in honesty, compassion, and creativity. I value collaboration, inclusivity, and ritual — the elements that transform a service or ceremony from an event into something deeply felt and remembered.

Creating Ceremonies that Matter
Whether you’re facing loss or celebrating love, I’m here to help you create a ceremony that honours the significance of the moment, one that feels authentic, beautiful and true to you.

​​"We trust that beyond absence there is a presence.
That beyond the pain there can be healing.
That beyond the brokenness there can be wholeness.
That beyond the anger there may be peace.
That beyond the hurting there may be forgiveness.
That beyond the silence there may be the word.
That beyond the word there may be understanding.
That through understanding there is love."

Anonymous

​sincere ceremonies - creating ceremonies that matter