Taylor & Forgie Funeral Directors

12/11/2025

Earlier this week we had a wonderful day at the Lyndoch Bowling Club!

Claire and Casey were proud to attend on behalf of supporting this local club as a sponsor. It’s always a pleasure to be part of days that bring people together.
Congratulations to all the organisers, volunteers, players for the warm welcome and for continuing to foster such a fantastic community atmosphere.

As mentioned at the event, our Christmas Service of Remembrance 2025. Adelaide Road Chapel 30/11 or Balaklava 7/12 will be at the end of the month as we continue to commemorate 170 years of service.

11/11/2025

At the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month,
we pause to remember those who served, those who sacrificed,
and those who never returned home.

Today we honour the courage and devotion of all who have worn the uniform—
and we give thanks for the peace their service has made possible.

Lest we Forget.

08/11/2025

Next weekend is the Hope Cup run by the Salvation Army Riverside Gawler! The BIG Match is only 12 days away! Sunday 16th November at the Trinity College Oval. A great day out!

14/10/2025

"Too beautiful for Earth."
Today we remember the little ones who left us too soon. Though their time was brief, their impact is eternal.
💫👼 Forever loved, forever missed.

13/10/2025

Supporting families, wherever the farewell takes place, is at the heart of what we do. Thank you for trusting us during such an important time.

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01/10/2025

Recently I posted about a service that I conducted for a lady that died overseas.
Quite by coincidence, I (Claire Forgie) was travelling to Germany a few days after the service. So I asked to visit the Funeral Home, and to meet the director who assisted us with the repatriation. It was lovely to meet Ines and Kay along with a tour of their facility in Hamburg.
Most interesting was the differences in law & German culture as it relates to the Funeral Industry.
- We discussed that cremated remains are treated differently. "The use of a cemetery for cremated remains in Germany is mandatory, whether the cremation has been performed in Germany or abroad. Once the ashes are here, the law requires a burial on an official cemetery; this can be either in the ground, an columbarium or a burial at sea. In very few parts of Germany it is allowed to bury the ashes on private ground, but there still needs to be an approval case by case, which is really hard to get. There are very few places in Germany where the ashes may be scattered, but these places are cemeteries. You have, however, the right to chose any cemetery you want. Only funeral homes are allowed to request a burial on the cemetery on behalf of the families. Once the burial is requested the cemetery sends an urn request to the crematory; only then we can pick up the ashes. It is very deeply anchored in the German culture to bury the deceased in a cemetery."
- I noticed in the meeting room about 'Ashes made into diamonds' and if that was common, however "when a deceased is to be buried in Germany, ALL their remains must be buried. Within Germany it is not allowed to take parts of the ashes for any other purpose. But, if jewellery is requested, we may cremate the person in Germany, then send all the ashes to e.g. Austria, where they allow parts of the ashes to be taken to make the jewellery. We wait until the jewellery is finished and then receive the rest of the ashes as well as the piece of jewellery. In theory the piece of jewellery would have to be buried in a cemetery with the rest of the ashes, since German law applies again. Jewellery can also be made from the hair of a deceased, which is legally OK with German law. Diamonds requested with ashes are really, really rare. People decide for diamonds from hair, if at all."
- A unique style of the German coffin is that they have 'feet' like a clawed bath tub. When asked why, it was due to historic tradition and "All our coffins have feet so that they can be lifted easier." As compared to Australian coffins, caskets (or shrouds!) that have a flat base and the vehicle has steel rollers in the vehicle. I was able to see a vehicle at the Funeral home and their vehicles have a mat where the feet on one end of the coffin are placed and then the other end is lifted and slid into the vehicle.
As in the picture in this post, the style of coffin also has a very tall and narrow lid. Nearly all of the coffins are styled like this, just different materials or height, but there are no flat lid or coffin shaped coffins due to German custom and tradition. "This is a picture with a pretty classical decoration (typical for Seemann, others may have different arrangements of course). In Germany it is more common to place flowers on top of the coffin instead of pictures or other items. A photo is usually placed aside the coffin. It is mostly placed on the right side of the coffin, as shown here, since the close family members traditionally sit on the right side of the chapel or church."

It was a wonderful and engaging visit and to have such a professional and experienced firm helping our local family.

27/09/2025

We had a little break last night and hosted an in house gathering 'Bob Ross style' and did some painting with the team!

Good to see plenty of creativity and giving it a go. What is your favourite?

20/09/2025

Three times a charm this week, we were back in Williamstown for more presentations!
This time with Wirraminna Care ( ) for our most comprehensive session to a full house of staff covering;
- 'What we do' (Funeral Industry),
- Care of the Deceased immediately after death,
- Caring for Caregivers
- Adjusting to Lifestyle Changes.

Working in a care facility is both rewarding and highly demanding, often in ways that are not always seen or fully acknowledged. Caregivers are often vulnerable to burnout and emotional exhausation. Naturally they create an emotional connection with the people they care for.
Wirraminna shared a number of ways they are supporting their staff with their mental health, and especially when a resident passes away.

From all of us, thank you for the support and meaningful work you do in peoples lives.

17/09/2025

Claire and Erecca had a lovely visit yesterday for 'Scone Time' where they presented on FAQs about Funerals and the industry in general. Lots of great questions and conversation. 😎
As it happens, Erecca and Claires favourite treat are scones! 🫶They were delicious!
If you are in the Williamstown or local area, consider joining the group for a social activity with interesting monthy presentations.
Thanks for having us!

11/09/2025

Today we went to the Men’s Pioneer Group at Williamstown to present on Adjusting to Lifestyle Changes.
This presentation covers a range of things like retirement, health setbacks, changing social circles, relationship breakdown and home relocation.
Together, we discussed the physical and mental challenges with strategies to adapt — understanding the normaility of the cycle, the rollercoaster of emotions, expected duration and how to also help a person who is epxeriencing loss or major change. Thank you for welcoming us and sharing your experiences!

07/09/2025

Today we pause to honour and remember all fathers, grandfathers, and father-figures. Father’s Day can be a time of joy and gratitude, or a day touched with sadness as we miss those no longer with us. Wherever you are today—in celebration, reflection, or remembrance—we invite you to take a moment to cherish a memory or share a story in their honour.

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04/09/2025

Today we had a visit from Funerals Australia , Edwina and Greg, to give us an orientation of version 2 of the Funeral Learning Hub.
This online learning tool is so valuable in keeping us at the forefront of information and training for the funeral industry. Being soley online means it has the flexibility to fit in to our schedule where we need it to.
Everyone at Taylor & Forgie Funeral Directors completes a minimum of 12 weeks of courses per year. In addition with version 2, there will now be podcasts, legal resources, subject fact sheets and even an Ai named ED that will assist us in gaining and utilising this knowledge to help families.
Thanks for visiting!