We have been so blessed to have Gaylene walking alongside our family before, during and after the passing of our loved one. Gaylene’s experience as a nurse was really helpful as she could explain what was happening to Dad at each stage of the process. 

Gaylene was able to provide advice on what we could expect from the caregivers and nursing staff, as well as invaluable assistance with practical things in making arrangements for once Dad passed as we wanted to do as much as possible ourselves. 

The only thing we needed a funeral director for was transporting the body. The funeral director we used for transporting Dad was hugely impressed with how we had managed the whole process from start to finish - truth is, it was mostly Gaylene’s guidance that enabled us to make all the arrangements necessary to have him at home, including the final farewell service.

Gaylene’s involvement gave all members of our family both the confidence and emotional support to navigate an unfamiliar system and a stressful time as we each had our own grieving while also organising where Dad would lie, what the service would involve, who was likely to visit him/us over the time of mourning, and trying to look after each other in the process. 

The services provided by Gaylene are an amazing mix of both practical and personal support - a perfect mix of being gentle and unassuming most of the time, and assertive and instructive when we needed to feel someone knew what was required at a particular moment. 

We whole-heartedly recommend other families consider using a doula and Embrace Life will be an excellent choice.