About me

I’m Annie and I’m passionate about fresh and fitting end of life arrangements.

 

I’m the founder of Kinship Ritual  offering funeral and celebrant services. I’ve done this work for clients, family and friends for many years.

Why Kinship Ritual?  Simply put, these words are my guiding principles. Whether it’s your family of origin or your family of choice, taking care of relationships is at the heart of the time when someone has died. Meaningful rituals can be very simple. And entering them together begins the healing. All in all, placing kinship and rituals at the forefront supports you and your loved ones on this journey.

Knowing even a little bit about about what’s involved when someone dies makes this time less fraught and stressful. This inspires me as an educator and author of Death, a love project. I’m offering a topic that most people are rather poorly informed about!  

I enjoy helping people to plan ahead. The workshops I offer are occasions for getting together with others, for learning and life celebration. I’m a warm and well-prepared speaker for events or conferences.  

 
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My doctorate is in creative arts. This study concentrated my focus on how individuals and communities express themselves and how joint rituals enhance life.  

I’ve managed events, projects and programs in many sectors, from arts and education to natural resource management and research. I’ve worked in the Victorian Government and at the University of Melbourne, bringing people together in all my roles. 

I love gardening, sharing seeds and cuttings and preserving food. I’m growing in my practice as a textile artist with embroidery, natural dyeing and felting.

Helping you meet end of life and its demands your way.

  • “When I die I don’t want it to be a whirlwind. My dream is that my family will be together and all be involved. Thanks for helping me realise that there’s no reason to rush into a funeral. Doing some talking, some planning and thinking means we can begin to have some conversations in the family”

    -Susan

  • “Annie provided practical and sensitive guidance following a traumatic death, using a gentle but structured approach. acknowledged painful realities, without resorting to clichés, to ultimately create a calm, meaningful and significant event marking the end of a life.”

    -James

  • “In the final days Annie’s patient discussions with me, and her instinctive understanding about how my wife's wishes for a vigil could be practically achieved made all the difference to getting through the most difficult time of my life.” -Adrian

  • “Knowledgeable about funeral service law/logistics, and a highly skilled facilitator, Annie can provide what almost every family needs when it comes to dealing with the loss of a loved one – the space to make good decisions.”

    -Joe

  • “Annie's easy way of delivering workshops on end of life matters, and her knowledge of her subject is incredible. “

    -Connie

  • “I found Annie's book Death, a love project very comforting as I went about organising the funeral arrangements. It was a sad time and it helped that Annie is so lovely in this book. “

    -Caroline

  • “Annie is an awesome Zoom facilitator, calm, warm and relaxed, yet in control. Her planning is meticulous.”

    -Natalie

I’m the author of Death, a love project.

Everyone should have the tools to meet end of life with more knowledge and creativity. So I wrote a book on the subject! It is endorsed by leaders in aged care, the funeral industry, and advocates for death literacy. What’s more, it is an easy read that makes people feel calmer about meeting death and grief.