Emily Kilkenny Funeral & Memorial Celebrant

Emily Kilkenny Funeral & Memorial Celebrant About

Three years ago, I became a celebrant — and with deep gratitude, I can say I found my true calling in funerals and memorials.

Working with families during the most tender and difficult moments of their lives is an honour I never take lightly.

Last week I had the absolute privilege of celebrating the life of Graeme at the Diamond Creek Hotel—his beloved “Snake P...
01/04/2026

Last week I had the absolute privilege of celebrating the life of Graeme at the Diamond Creek Hotel—his beloved “Snake Pit” and home away from home. 🍻 Diamond Creek Hotel, in particular Hayley and their events team did not miss a beat.

True to Graeme’s wishes, it wasn’t a heavy farewell… it was a gathering filled with laughter, stories, a few cheeky moments, and of course, a drink in hand.

A man of few words but legendary one-liners, Graeme leaves behind a legacy of humour, love, and unforgettable memories. Surrounded by his beautiful family, friends, and the community who adored him, we honoured him exactly as he wanted. Thanks to his gorgeous daughters who listened to his wishes and wants, then honoured them for their beloved Dad. The afternoon was simple, relaxed, and full of heart.

Cheers to you, Graeme. You’ll be remembered in every laugh, every story, and every raised glass. 💛

When someone we love leaves this world, creating a meaningful farewell can feel overwhelming — especially in the midst o...
02/03/2026

When someone we love leaves this world, creating a meaningful farewell can feel overwhelming — especially in the midst of grief. 🤍

I am here to gently and seamlessly guide you in creating a beautiful ceremony that truly reflects and honours the person we are celebrating.

I can assist you with:

• A beautifully written story script to honour your loved one
• Music selection
• Rituals and symbolic moments
• Venue suggestions
• Photo tributes
• And anything else you would like included to reflect the uniqueness of your person.

Even if you simply need direction because you don’t know where to begin, I am here to listen and support you every step of the way. (Always open for a no obliation chat)

If you would like your loved one present, I work with a few preferred funeral directors whom I trust to be honest, reliable, and respectful.

Alternatively, we can honour your loved one with a memorial-style service without the body present — creating a heartfelt and meaningful tribute.

I truly love what I do. Standing beside families in their grief and helping them create a ceremony filled with love, dignity, and authenticity is both an honour and a privilege.

If you need support, please reach out. You don’t have to do this alone. 🤍

Yesterday we laid to rest a truly beautiful man, aged 95 — a life long lived and deeply cherished.After migrating to Aus...
11/02/2026

Yesterday we laid to rest a truly beautiful man, aged 95 — a life long lived and deeply cherished.

After migrating to Australia with his adored wife (dec), he built not just a home, but a legacy of kindness, generosity and connection. Over the years, he formed countless friendships and meaningful relationships — the kind that became “chosen family.”

It was a telling tribute to the man he was that so many gathered yesterday to honour him, share stories, and celebrate a life so well lived.

We first laid him to rest at Diamond Creek Cemetery, followed by a heartfelt memorial service in Hurstbridge. The room was filled with warmth, laughter, tears, and the unmistakable sense of a community shaped by one gentle, generous soul.

What a privilege it is to stand with families as they honour lives like his — lives that remind us that the true measure of our time here is the love and connection we leave behind.
Rest peacefully 🫶

Seventeen years ago today, the Black Saturday bushfires changed Victoria forever.I had friends who lost their homes. Whi...
07/02/2026

Seventeen years ago today, the Black Saturday bushfires changed Victoria forever.
I had friends who lost their homes. While I didn’t personally know anyone who lost their life, today we remember those who did — and we acknowledge the immense ripple effect of that loss. Families, friends, whole communities were shaped by that day in ways that still echo now.
In the years since, I’ve had the honour of officiating many funerals for Kinglake residents — people who lived through the fires and later passed on from causes unrelated to that day. Each service has been a reminder of the resilience, kindness, and deep connection that defines that community.
Kinglake is, and continues to be, an extraordinary community.
Today we remember, we honour, and we hold space for all that was lost — and all that endured. 🤍Kinglake WestMason Falls - Kinglake

How to be helpful to someone you know or love who is deep in grief💜💜💜💜 One of the worst things to say to someone who is ...
27/01/2026

How to be helpful to someone you know or love who is deep in grief💜💜💜💜

One of the worst things to say to someone who is grieving:
“Call me if you need anything.”

They won’t call.

Grief is exhausting. Decision-making disappears.

Reaching out feels like being a burden.

If you don’t know what to do, do something specific, like….

• Cook them a meal (and don’t ask what they want)

• Drop groceries at the door

• Take their kids for 24 hours — insist if needed

• Walk the dog

• Do loads of washing

• Sit with them in silence

• Check in again next week (and the week after)

Grief doesn’t need perfect words.
It needs presence — long after the funeral ends.

Many people ask me this question, hope it helps at least one 💜💛💜🫶

🤍 WHY I DO THIS WORKPeople often ask if funeral work is hard.It is — but it is also incredibly meaningful.I do this work...
08/01/2026

🤍 WHY I DO THIS WORK
People often ask if funeral work is hard.
It is — but it is also incredibly meaningful.
I do this work because families deserve to feel supported, not rushed. Because grief needs space, patience, and kindness. And because when a ceremony is done with care, it can become a moment of connection, healing, and even quiet beauty.
This is not “just a job” to me.
It is a privilege I am grateful for every single precious life that has passed through this world💜🫶

Hello, I’m Emily 🤍I’m a Funeral and Memorial Celebrant based in Eltham, working across Melbourne and Victoria.Three year...
07/01/2026

Hello, I’m Emily 🤍

I’m a Funeral and Memorial Celebrant based in Eltham, working across Melbourne and Victoria.
Three years ago, I became a celebrant — and in doing so, I found the work I was truly meant to do. Supporting families at one of the most difficult moments of their lives is a responsibility I hold with deep care and respect.
My role is to gently guide, to listen, to take away the overwhelm, and to help create a ceremony that feels honest, comforting, and true to the person being remembered.
Every life matters. Every story deserves to be honoured well.
Thank you for being here.

Funeral Services I Regularly Work With.I have strong working relationships with many funeral directors, the following fu...
07/01/2026

Funeral Services I Regularly Work With.

I have strong working relationships with many funeral directors, the following funeral services, come highly recommeneded on professionalism and price.

🦋Halls Funerals – Diamond Creek & Whittlesea

🦋Gabrielle Walsh Funeral Services – Greensborough

🦋Nelson Bros. Funeral Services – Across Melbourne

That said, the celebrant is always your choice. I am more than happy to work alongside any funeral service to ensure your loved one’s ceremony is exactly as you wish.🦋🦋🦋🦋

Funerals & Memorials – What’s the Difference?A funeral service is held when the body is present. In this case, a Funeral...
06/01/2026

Funerals & Memorials – What’s the Difference?

A funeral service is held when the body is present. In this case, a Funeral Director is required to care for and manage all aspects involving the deceased. I work closely alongside funeral directors to ensure the ceremony itself is personal, seamless, and beautifully delivered.

A memorial service is held without the body present — often with ashes, or simply as a gathering to remember and celebrate a life. Memorials offer flexibility in timing and location and can be held in a wide variety of settings.

I am very experienced in both, and I work respectfully within each structure to ensure families feel supported every step of the way.

Address

Melbourne, VIC
3095

Telephone

+61417460336

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Emily Kilkenny Funeral & Memorial Celebrant posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Emily Kilkenny Funeral & Memorial Celebrant:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category