By Jed Lanyon
While Australians came together for Father’s Day on Sunday 1 September to celebrate their dads, Le Pine Funerals helped Yarra Valley community members who have lost paternal figures honour and connect with them through a dedicated memorial service at Federation Chapel at Lilydale Memorial Park.
Guests were invited to bring a memento of those they were remembering.
Each memento was placed on display during the service and those in attendance were encouraged to provide a photo for inclusion in a special visual.
Father’s Day is an international holiday founded in 1910 by the daughter of William Jackson Smart, to recognise his selflessness and dedication as a single parent to six children.
To this day, people observe this annual event by celebrating their own fathers and their invaluable contributions to our lives.
“In our role of carers of the Healesville, Lilydale, Croydon, and the surrounding areas, we think it’s important that everyone has a place to remember the amazing dads who are no longer with us in body, but are ever-present in spirit and memory, and very much loved and missed by those who are here to remember them,” Ian DeBlaquiere, Le Pine Funerals location manager at Croydon, said.
The Le Pine team created the memorial service to help people celebrate the lives of their fathers and grandfathers, while providing an opportunity to connect with others who were going through a similar experience.
The event was held in collaboration with Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.
“In today’s society where we all lead busy lives, we hope to provide a time of joy for our neighbours, and a place where families can unite to reminisce on the good times,” Mr DeBlaquiere said.
