Jonathan Hepner Funerals

04/11/2026

Prepaying a funeral allows you to make arrangements in advance, giving you the opportunity to think about what you want, make your wishes known and ease some of the decisions your family may otherwise face during an emotional time.

There can also be financial benefits. Prepaying allows you to lock in the cost of funeral services at today's prices, helping protect against future price increases.

Funeral insurance, which provides a lump sum payment to your family when you die, usually requires you to pay ongoing premiums which may increase as you get older. Over time, you could pay more in premiums than the amount your family receives, and if you stop paying, you may lose your cover and the premiums you've already paid.

For some people, the greatest benefit isn't financial at all. It's knowing that their wishes have been documented and that their family will have one less thing to worry about when the time comes.

If you're thinking about prepaying a funeral but aren't sure where to start, we're always happy to have a conversation and answer your questions with no pressure or obligation.

02/11/2026

Flameless candles were placed inside a custom floral arrangement for an intimate farewell to a beloved daughter, sister and friend at All Saints Church, Newtown, Geelong.

30/10/2026

Music can be one of the most personal parts of a funeral service. It can bring back memories, tell a story, capture someone's personality, or simply remind us of a moment you shared.

And it doesn't have to be traditional.

Think about the music they loved. Was there a song they always played in the car? A band they followed for years? A song from their wedding? Something they danced to? A song that reminds you of a particular holiday, friendship or chapter of their life?

You might choose something gentle and reflective for the beginning of the service, a meaningful song during a photo tribute, and something completely different to finish.

That final song could be upbeat. It could make people smile. It could be loud, joyful, funny or completely unexpected.

Because a funeral is about remembering a person, not following the rules.

If they loved rock music, play rock music.
If they loved country, play country.
If they were a metalhead, there's no reason their funeral can't have heavy metal.
If they loved old classics, choose those.
And if their favourite song was a little unusual…that's OK too.

Sometimes, the song that makes everyone say, 'That's so them,' is the perfect choice.

Choose music that tells their story.

29/10/2026

This is so true. Go easy on yourself 💙

Sometimes we get so used to pushing through that we forget to check in with how we're actually going.

If something is taking more from you than you’ve got to give, remember to have a yarn, ask for a hand or make a bit of room to do something that helps you switch off and reset.

You wouldn't go for a run with a broken leg. Treat your mind with the same care 💙

28/10/2026

A service for All Souls Day will be held this coming Monday (2nd November) at Queenscliff Cemetery.

All Souls' Day offers a time for prayer and remembrance, to honour and reflect on the memories of loved ones.

We warmly welcome all to attend the service held in the grounds of Queenscliff Cemetery on Monday 2 November.

A marquee and seating will be in place, and tea and coffee provided.

For an event map, please visit https://gct.net.au/resource/all-souls-day-service/

28/10/2026

Have you ever seen a funeral director walking slowly in front of a hearse as it leaves the chapel or arrives at a cemetery? This is known as paging the hearse.

Paging is a long-standing funeral tradition, where the funeral director walks ahead of the hearse at a slow, measured pace, guiding the vehicle on its journey.

Historically, this practice reflected the solemnity of the occasion. Before modern vehicles, funeral processions often travelled on foot, with the person leading the procession setting the pace for everyone following. As hearses became more common, elements of these traditional processions continued.

Today, paging the hearse is a way of maintaining that sense of dignity and ceremony. It allows the funeral director to lead the final journey, guiding the hearse with care and giving the moment the time and respect it deserves. We do this after a service has concluded, and also when we arrive for a burial at a cemetery.

While not every funeral director follows this tradition (we do!) it remains a meaningful gesture in many funeral services. It is a quiet reminder that this is not simply a journey from one place to another, but a final farewell deserving of dignity and care.

24/10/2026

Grandparents have a way of making the ordinary moments special.

The stories they tell, the traditions they pass down, the recipes they make, the little things they teach us - these are the memories that can stay with us for a lifetime.

For those lucky enough to still have their grandparents with them, today is a beautiful reminder to make the most of the time you have together. Call them. Visit them. Ask them about their childhood. Take the photograph. Listen to the story you've heard a hundred times before.

And for those whose grandparents are no longer here, Grandparents Day can bring a different kind of reflection. You might remember their voice, their laugh, their favourite saying, the smell of their kitchen or the way they made you feel when you walked through their door. Because even when someone is no longer here, the things they gave us can remain.

Today, we remember grandparents - those we can still hug, and those we carry forever in our hearts.

23/10/2026

Today, one of our lovely client families kindly donated the leftover food from their loved one’s service to The Outpost, who provides meals and support to people experiencing homelessness in Geelong.

It was such a thoughtful gesture, turning something left over from a day of remembrance into an opportunity to care for others in our community.

Thank you to this family for thinking of others during such a difficult time.

23/10/2026

When a hearse passes by, it’s more than just another vehicle on the road. It’s carrying someone on their final journey, while their family and loved ones may be following behind.
A little patience and consideration can make a meaningful difference.

If you see a hearse approaching:
• Give way where it is safe to do so. Allow the funeral procession (the 'cortège') to continue together where possible.
• Avoid cutting into the cortège. What may look like a gap is often part of the procession.
• Be patient at intersections and roundabouts. The vehicles following the hearse may need to stay together.
• Don’t rush or overtake aggressively. Give the cortège the space and time it needs.
• Be mindful of the family. For those travelling behind the hearse, this may be an incredibly difficult day.

There’s no need to stop your journey completely or put yourself in danger. Simply slowing down, giving way when appropriate and showing a little patience is a small gesture of respect.

Because every journey has a story, and sometimes, it’s someone’s final one.

21/10/2026

During cremation, the body and coffin are reduced to ashes and bone fragments. However, metal implants, such as knee and hip replacements, remain after the cremation is done.

So, what happens to them?

Geelong Cemeteries Trust participates in the Metals Following Cremation Program, which provides a way for recovered metals to be recycled rather than simply discarded.

Once the cremation process is complete, metal implants are carefully separated from the cremated remains. The recovered metals are then collected for recycling, with the program helping to reduce waste and give these materials a second life. The funds raised from this program are then donated to charities and organisations within the death and bereavement sector in our region.

For many families, knowing that something meaningful can come from this process offers some reassurance.