Funerals on the Water
The peace, serenity, and calmness of the beautiful Nepean River aboard the Nepean Belle is the perfect setting to commemorate and farewell your loved one.
Funerals on the Water provide a special and truly unique all inclusive funeral and wake package (various menu options available) taking care of every detail to make it as easy as possible on family and friends.
How Funerals on the Water began…
Two Local Family Owned & Operated Businesses Join Forces, Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler & Nepean Valley Funerals.
On a Saturday afternoon cruise, in the wheelhouse of the Nepean Belle, two old school mates were enjoying the serenity of the Nepean River and the unique and spectacular views in the Nepean Gorge.
Jim, owner of Nepean Valley Funerals and Chris, owner of the Nepean Belle, sought to combine their love of Penrith, community and the Nepean River in a joint venture – and so the idea of having a special, peaceful and unique life celebration aboard Penrith’s iconic Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler, Funerals on the Water, was born.
How does it work?
The Funeral Service is held on the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler which is moored at Tench Reserve, Jamisontown. Funeral attendees come onboard in air conditioned comfort. Our funeral celebrant will conduct the service and will organise Orders of Service, Music and Photo slideshow. Once the Funeral Service concludes, the coffin is taken off the Nepean Belle back to our hearse which will depart for a private cremation. Family and friends can say their final goodbyes before returning on board for a cruise and refreshments whilst sharing memories of their loved one.
Find out more
For more information, or to enquire
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There are a few circumstances when a body needs to be embalmed. These are if the body is being repatriated or travelling interstate, having an above ground interment in a crypt or a vault or if the funeral is being delayed. On occasions, the embalming process may enhance the look of the deceased for viewing although in most circumstances this is not necessary.
Music is a personal choice and should have special meaning to your loved one. For services held in a Church, most people would choose hymns and maybe include a modern piece for during a photo slideshow or for exiting the Church. For example, we would highly recommend a singer for a Catholic Mass to add to the tradition and so that all the relevant parts of the mass can be sung.
There are few funeral services that are as sensitive or as personal as those provided by your funeral director. Our role is to make sure your wishes, and, if known the wishes of the deceased, are carried out…just the way they should be. The role of a funeral director and our services to you:
Advice and assistance 24hrs / 7 days a week
Transfer of the deceased from the place of death into our care
Mortuary care in our own facility
Liaison with hospital, doctors or coroner
Guidance for your family through the funeral arranging process
Assistance with the selection and purchase of a coffin or casket
Liaising with churches, cemeteries and crematoriums
Registration of death and other necessary documentation
Placement of newspaper notices
Liaising with clergy or a civil celebrant
Liaising with florists, musicians, funeral stationery and other service providers
Necessary staff and vehicles on the day of the funeral
Grief support available to all families
This depends on several factors. The doctor’s or coroner’s confirmation and the issuing of the necessary paperwork, availability of venues such as churches or crematorium chapels, availability of clergy, celebrants, singers etc and whether the family chooses to have orders of service, mass booklets and photo slideshow tributes. Generally, most families are able to have the funeral within 5 to 7 days of meeting with us.
Contact Us
Contact us to discuss pre-planning your funeral service on 02 4722 8222. We are happy to sit down with you and provide you with all the options.