Not-for-profit funeral services provider innovating how we do death in Canberra
Photo supplied. From left to right: Zarko Danilov, (Capital Airport Group), Catherine Prosser (General Manager Tender Funerals Canberra Region), Scarlett Gaffey, Georgina Byron (CEO and Executive Director, The Snow Foundation), and Catherine Bell (Chair, Tender Funerals Canberra Region).
Not-for-profit funeral services provider Tender Funerals is coming to Canberra, thanks to support from The Snow Foundation and Capital Airport Group.
The cost of grief
If you’ve ever experienced having a loved one die, you will know that within the grief is the reality of the funeral. And the costs.
Some people are super organised before they die and put together wills, letting loved ones know how and where they wish to be buried (or cremated) and whether they wish their organs to be donated. Some even purchase their funerals in advance through a payment plan.
But for many of us, it’s a shock when someone dies. Amidst the grief, there is a lot of administration. And then there’s the bill on top of it – usually between $7,000 to $10,000, with pressure to decide on the type of service required quickly. The cost of living crisis is also having an impact on funeral services, leading to an increase in direct cremations where there is no family involvement before cremation.
Innovation in funeral services
Until now, there’s been surprisingly little innovation in the funeral services industry. While innovation is happening in the body disposal area (think things like human composting, cremation and aquamation that are being explored for land use and environmental reasons), the funeral industry has remained mostly unchanged for about a century or so. There is not a lot of diversity in funeral homes or ways to do things differently - especially in Canberra. Tender Funderal’s not-for-profit social franchise is a very different way of operating and puts full choice and control in the hands of the community.
Tender Funerals was founded by Jenny Briscoe-Hough and a group of community volunteers in Port Kembla. In an industry where there are few players, it is shaking things up by providing a not-for-profit option that facilitates affordable, and meaningful funeral services – in a compassionate way. 18 months ago, Tender Funerals was featured on Australian Story, in a moving documentary that chronicles how it provides an alternative to the mainstream.
New Tender Funerals site in Fairbairn
Tender Funerals is about to open a new facility in Fairbairn, thanks to a $1 million partnership with
The Snow Foundation and the Capital Airport Group. It will be the third tender funeral service in the country, the first being Port Kembla and the second the mid North Coast.
The new site in Canberra will feature comprehensive facilities including two arrangement rooms, viewing or vigil rooms, wash and dress rooms, a mortuary, and a community space for workshops and ceremonies, designed to empower families to understand their end-of-life and funeral options.
Snow Foundation and Capital Airport Group support
Prosser said The Snow Foundation and Capital Airport Group have played instrumental roles in bringing Tender Funerals to the region. Three years ago, The Snow Foundation provided initial seed funding to do a feasibility study, helped find the right site, and has since committed $1m, including a $750k grant and a $250k loan.
According to CEO of The Snow Foundation, Georgina Byron, Tender Funerals will address the needs of grieving Canberrans in innovative and caring ways. ‘This partnership reflects our commitment to making a real difference in the lives of those experiencing loss in our region, ensuring they have access to services that respect their needs and circumstances,’ she said.
In addition, the Capital Airport Group is providing pro bono resourcing, including identifying and supplying the new site at Fairbairn (including project managing the fit-out).
Production manager turned funeral advocate
Tender Funerals Canberra Region is spearheaded by Catherine Prosser, a former production and stage manager for theatre, writer (including for screen) who also has experience as a startup founder. Prosser was drawn to Tender Funerals through family experiences, which made here realise how poorly our society is prepared to handle transitions in life. ‘I felt drawn to drive change and improve options for people in this space and I'm very lucky that I met the original working group for Tender in Canberra and could join their team,’ she said.
“This approach not only honours the deceased but also fosters a healthy grieving process”
‘At Tender, our goal is to ensure that families feel supported and empowered to make choices that reflect their values and needs when someone dies,’ she said. ‘We believe in active participation and transparency, offering services that truly cater to the wishes of the families and individuals we serve. This approach not only honours the deceased but also fosters a healthy grieving process.’ ‘We are very proud of and grateful for our relationship with The Snow Foundation and the Capital Airport Group who have been actively supporting us, far beyond simply providing a grant.’
In the lead-up to the new site, Prosser has been facilitating a series of Tender Talks. This provides an opportunity for people to ask questions about the dying and funeral process. Topics include what it looks like when someone dies, whether you can bury someone on your property, and whether people can make their own coffins. Tender Funerals also offers cardboard coffins that people can decorate for their loved ones.
Support Tender Funerals
If you would like to support Tender Funerals Canberra Region, it is registered as a nominated charity for Hands Across Canberra's annual Canberra Day Appeal. Canberrans can show their support for not-for-profit, affordable, meaningful funerals by donating at
https://giving.handsacrosscanberra.org.au/event/tender-funerals
