Walker Family Funerals Perth

07/09/2026

We need to stop calling something sustainable simply because it’s biodegradable.

It’s fantastic to see sustainable innovation entering the Australian funeral industry.

A mushroom-based coffin that uses mycelium and natural materials instead of traditional plastics, glues and chemicals? Absolutely. Bring on the change.

But there’s a problem we need to talk about.

These coffins are grown in the Netherlands and then shipped to Australia.

So while the coffin itself may return naturally to the earth, we have to ask:

How sustainable is it to manufacture something on the other side of the world and transport it thousands of kilometres to its final resting place?

Sustainability isn’t just about the product.

It’s about the whole lifecycle.

Where is it made?
What resources are used?
How far does it travel?
What happens to the body?
And can we create something better here?

Because surely Australia can do more than import sustainability.

We can create it.

This is why I believe we need to be having a much bigger conversation about terramation — human composting.

Terramation doesn’t just replace the coffin.
It challenges the entire traditional model of what happens after death.

Instead of burning a body or placing it into the ground in a permanent container, terramation uses a natural process to transform human remains into soil.

The body becomes part of the earth again.

And importantly, it opens the door to something much bigger:

A genuinely local approach
A circular end-of-life system
Less reliance on energy-intensive cremation
Returning nutrients to the earth
Rethinking what a funeral can look like

I’m excited to see the funeral industry changing. But I don’t want us to stop at “better coffin.”

I want us asking:

Can we do better?
Can we do it here?
Can we create something truly regenerative?

Because the future of sustainable funerals shouldn’t be about finding a greener way to do the same thing.

It should be about doing death differently.

And Australia is ready for that conversation.

Let’s talk terramation.

07/09/2026

No one really tells you about this part of the job.

Sometimes you’re asked to care for someone you know.

Someone you’ve seen at family gatherings.
Someone who once picked you up from a party.
Someone whose children you watched grow up.
Someone who knew you before you became a Death Walker.

And suddenly, you’re caring for them after they’ve died.

You know what to do. You’ve learnt how to see the things others don’t, how to manage the difficult parts and how to keep going when the work is confronting.

But when you know the person, it feels different.

Because you remember them.

And honestly, would you want them anywhere else?

Absolutely not.

You’d want them in your care. You’d want them treated like your own family. Gently. Respectfully. With every little detail taken care of.

So you put your feelings aside and do what you do best.

You care for them.

And sometimes, you absorb a little of the hard stuff so their family doesn’t have to.

Because being a death walker doesn’t mean you don’t feel it.

It means you’ve learnt how to keep caring, even when it hurts.

To every death walker who has ever cared for someone they knew - I see you.

06/09/2026

Father’s Day can look a little different when Dad isn’t here.

Maybe you still buy his favourite drink.

Maybe you hear his laugh in one of the grandkids.

Maybe there’s a story you’ve told a hundred times and you’ll happily tell it a hundred more.

Or maybe today just hurts.

There’s no right way to spend Father’s Day when someone you love is missing. You don’t have to make it meaningful, be positive, or even feel okay.

You can laugh. You can cry. You can talk about him. You can sit quietly and miss him.

Because the people we love leave little pieces of themselves everywhere, in our stories, our habits, our humour, our traditions and the way we love the people around us.

Today, we’re thinking of the dads who are here, the dads who are deeply missed, and the father figures who made a difference simply by being there.

Happy Father’s Day.
From our family to yours.

04/09/2026

YOU CAN ASK FOR SO MUCH MORE

When someone dies, it can be easy to think there is a set way a funeral is supposed to happen.

A coffin.
A hearse.
A chapel.
Some flowers.
A few words.
And then it’s over.

But what if you asked for more?

More personality.
More meaning.
More connection.
More of the person you’re saying goodbye to.

What if their farewell could be held somewhere that mattered to them?

What if their favourite music played, their favourite food was shared, their stories were told, or their hobbies became part of the day?

What if the flowers weren’t traditional funeral flowers, but reflected their garden?

What if you wanted a woven coffin instead of a conventional one?

What if you wanted to spend more time with them before the funeral?

What if you wanted to bring the family together at home, at the beach, in a garden or somewhere that tells their story?

You can ask.

And if you’re told, “That’s not how funerals are done,” you can ask why.

There are, of course, legal requirements and practical limitations around death care, but within those boundaries, there can be so much more possibility than people realise.

We believe a funeral should be a reflection of the person.

So ask questions.
Tell us your ideas.
Tell us what would feel meaningful.
Tell us what you don’t want.

You might be surprised by just how much more you can ask for.

29/08/2026

WA led the way on Voluntary Assisted Dying. Now it’s time to finish the job.

In 2019, Western Australia led the nation by introducing Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) - a landmark step in compassionate end-of-life care.

But the law isn’t working fairly for everyone.

Too many terminally ill Western Australians still face unnecessary barriers, complex processes and unequal access. Other states have already moved forward, and WA risks falling behind.

After more than three years of VAD in practice, the evidence shows the law has helped alleviate suffering for many Western Australians, with no evidence of abuse or overreach.

Dying with dignity should not depend on where you live, the circumstances of your illness, or whether you can navigate a complicated system.

We’re calling for sensible reform, including:

• Fairer eligibility criteria
• Advance requests for people living with dementia
• More equitable access across regional and metropolitan WA
• Clear, appropriate safeguards

This is about giving people greater choice and ensuring families can spend their precious time together - rather than fighting red tape at the end of life.

WA started the conversation. Now let’s finish the job.

Please sign the petition from Dying with Dignity WA and show your support for fairer, safer and more accessible VAD in Western Australia.

Support WA’s VAD law reform, with fairer access for all.

24/08/2026

What should we dress our loved one in?

It’s a question that doesn’t always get talked about but when the time comes, it’s often the family left behind who have to decide what their loved one should wear.

Honestly? There is no right answer.
Some people choose ultimate comfort: their favourite fluffy pyjamas, or the well-worn tracksuit pants that have 40 years of memories in them.

Others want to go out in style — their finest suit, favourite dress or evening wear.

I’ve even had women tell me:
“If you put me in a bra, I’ll sit up and slap you.”
Fair enough.
Of all the moments in life, surely we can let the girls rest in peace too!

And what about shoes?
Again, completely personal.
From a sustainability perspective, I’d personally avoid shoes where possible. Many contain rubber and other materials that don’t need to go into a crematorium or into the earth.
Perhaps a favourite pair of socks instead.

For others, clothing is deeply cultural and spiritual.
A sari.
Sacred jewellery.
A religious garment.
A favourite piece worn close to the heart.
Sometimes families add little pieces of the life they shared such as a photograph, a child’s drawing, a letter, a small keepsake, or even a little piece of fur from a much-loved animal companion.

And sometimes, the answer is:
“They’ve been poked and prodded enough. Just let them rest.”
And I think that’s beautiful too.

The most important thing is that you don’t have to wait until someone dies to have this conversation.
Ask your loved ones:
What would you like to wear?
Shoes or no shoes?
Bra or no bra?
Is there something special you’d like beside you?
Is there something you’d absolutely hate to be dressed in?
Write it down somewhere.
Because when the time comes, having those wishes already known can be an enormous gift to the people who are left behind.

At Walker Family Funerals, we believe funerals should reflect the person, not a rulebook.
So, tell us…
Bra or no bra?

18/08/2026

A beautiful day of connection and conversation at the Dying to Know Day Expo, hosted by the Shire of Mundaring. 💜

A huge thank you toJulie Carlton Celebration of Life Celebrant and the team for putting together such a valuable community event and creating space for conversations that really matter.

There were some fantastic talks about community, connection and the changing landscape of death care — including the growing need for greater transparency, choice and openness around how we care for people at the end of life.

These conversations are so important because we never know when this information might suddenly become important to us, or someone we love.

Death is something every community will experience. The more we talk about it before we need to, the more empowered we can be when the time comes.

Thank you for helping keep the conversation going. 🌿

09/08/2026

Thank you Perth

What an incredible weekend at our Dying to Know Expo and another today with the . 💛

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, asked questions, shared stories, listened, learned and — most importantly — helped us have the conversations that matter.

To all of our wonderful volunteers, thank you for giving your time, energy and heart to make the day possible. We couldn’t have done it without you.

To our speakers, experts, community organisations, celebrants, death doulas and funeral professionals — thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping people see that there are choices when it comes to dying, death, funerals and end-of-life care.

And to every person who walked through the doors — whether you came because you were planning ahead, supporting someone you love, curious about your options, or simply wanted to be part of the conversation — thank you.

Talking about death doesn’t have to be frightening or morbid. These conversations can be empowering, practical, meaningful and even bring us closer together.

The conversations were about rethinking of the way we approach death and creating a community that feels more informed, prepared and supported.

Thank you for being part of it. 🌿

Let’s keep the conversation going.

07/08/2026

Tomorrow is the day! 💜

Dying to Know Expo – a free community event designed to help make end-of-life conversations easier, more informed, and less frightening.

Whether you’re curious about funeral options, advance care planning, palliative care, grief support, or simply want to learn how to have these important conversations with the people you love, this expo is for you.

🗓 Tomorrow – Saturday 8 August
🕙 10:00am – 3:00pm
📍 Scarborough Community Hall, Gildercliffe Street, Scarborough

✨ Free entry
☕ Tea, coffee and cake
🎤 Expert speakers
💜 Information stalls
🌿 Learn about sustainable funeral options and end-of-life choices

Death is something we all have in common, yet it’s one of the things we talk about the least. Let’s change that together.

Bring a friend, bring your questions, and come and say hello. We’d love to see you there.

05/08/2026

🎙️ Tune in to Curtin Radio!
Coming in at around 12:20pm

Join Jenny Seaton as she chats with Cara Walker from Walker Family Funerals about why having conversations around death and end-of-life planning is one of the greatest gifts we can give our loved ones.

Cara will also be sharing details about the upcoming Dying to Know Expo—a free community event designed to empower people with knowledge, encourage open conversations, and explore the many choices available at the end of life.

Whether you’re curious about funeral planning, advance care planning, sustainable funeral options, or simply want to feel more informed, this is a conversation worth hearing.

📻 Tune in to Curtin Radio and join us in helping make end-of-life conversations a little less daunting and a lot more meaningful.

We hope to see you at the Dying to Know Expo! 💜