What to Expect When Planning a Memorial Gathering

Reaching out for the first time can feel daunting, especially if you've never had to do it before. This page sets out exactly what to expect, from your first conversation with us, to how a planning session works, to how we handle fees and payments. If you're not yet sure which of our services fits, that's completely normal, most families work that out together with us, not before they call.

Finding the Right Fit

Every life and every gathering is different, which is part of why we offer more than one way to bring people together. Rather than list the details of each here, we'd rather you read about them properly:

  • If you're thinking about gathering the people you love while you're still here to be part of it, our Living Wake page will tell you what that looks like.

  • If you're picturing a ceremony and gathering held together, somewhere that feels true to the person you're remembering, have a look at our Memorial Service page.

  • If you're expecting a wide community, a large network, or a guest list that reaches into the hundreds, our Celebration of Life page covers what that involves.

If you're still unsure after reading, that's exactly what the first conversation is for. We'll listen to what you're picturing and help you find the shape that fits.

The Planning Session

A gentle starting point, where your ideas begin to take shape.

This is an unhurried, dedicated conversation designed to help you exhale. We sit down together to explore what feels right, moving at your pace to build a roadmap for the day.

In this session, we will explore:

  • Tone and Style: identifying the feeling you want the gathering to carry

  • The Perfect Setting: recommending and exploring venues that fit the story

  • Logistics with Ease: choosing a date and working through the practicalities

  • Structure and Flow: planning a gathering that feels natural and unforced

  • The Guest Experience: practical advice on notifying guests and managing the flow of the day

Personal elements we begin together:

  • Gathering Memories: sharing stories and beginning to shape them into a tribute

  • Visual Legacy: reviewing photographs and meaningful elements for the day

  • Collective Care: gentle guidance to help bring the day together meaningfully

This session is booked with a $250 upfront fee, which is then deducted from your final invoice, regardless of which service you choose.

Our Approach to Fees

We believe that during a difficult or uncertain time, financial clarity is a form of support. Each of our three services has its own fee, set out clearly on that service's page, and covers everything from the planning session through to the last guest leaving. Venue hire, catering and any other third-party costs are arranged separately, at cost, with nothing added.

In the traditional industry, costs can often feel opaque, bundled into "professional fees" that cover things you may not even use. Because we don't carry the overheads of a mortuary or a fleet of vehicles, our pricing stays focused entirely on the curation of the day itself. You pay for the service and the experience, with no hidden markups on local vendors.

How We Move Forward Together

Step One: A Quiet Conversation. We begin with a scheduled call, so you can get a feel for us, ask any questions, and start to explore which service feels right, before committing to anything.

Step Two: The Planning Session. Booked with a $250 upfront fee, deducted from your final invoice. Together we shape the day in detail, tone, venue, structure, and the personal elements that matter most.

Step Three: Payment. Once planning is complete, we provide a clear cost summary. The remaining balance is paid in full before the day takes place.

Step Four: The Gathering. We coordinate every detail behind the scenes, so you and the people you love can be fully present.

Frequently asked questions.

  • A funeral home is built around a building. The gathering happens where their chapel is, in the format that suits their schedule, with whoever is rostered on that day.

    Banksia has no building to fill. Which means the gathering is shaped entirely around the person — their character, their community, the places they loved. A winery, a coastal club, a private garden, an RSL hall. Wherever feels right.

    The ceremony and the celebration happen in the same room, in the same afternoon. No moving cars. No starting over somewhere new. Just time to stay, to talk, and to remember — for as long as you need.

    The person you speak to at the start is there on the day. The pricing is clear from the outset. And nothing about the day will feel like it was designed for someone else.

  • Because when someone you love dies, the last thing you should have to feel is that the day didn't do them justice.

    Too formal. Too brief. Too unlike them. That quiet fear is one of the most common things families carry — and it is exactly what Banksia was created to change. Every life deserves to be remembered the way it was actually lived. That is the whole reason we are here.

  • Wherever you feel most at ease. Whether that’s the comfort of your own living room, a walk along the beach, or over a coffee at your favorite café, the choice is entirely yours. If you’d prefer to connect from a distance, we can jump on a video call. This is your space, and we’ll meet wherever you feel most supported.

  • The short answer is no. Because we specialise in memorials where the cremation or burial has already taken place privately, the traditional role of a funeral director isn't necessary for our events. We act as your event curators and "logistics shield." We handle the venue, the atmosphere, the food, and the flow of the day, so you can focus on being present with your family.

    If you do require support with a cremation, we do have a wonderful network of funeral directors we have worked with and can recommend.

  • One of the greatest benefits of our approach is flexibility. Unlike a chapel service, we can host a gathering almost anywhere that feels right, a local distillery, a favorite restaurant, a community hall, or even a private garden overlooking the vines.

    Over the past decade, we have built trusted relationships with a collection of exceptional venues across Adelaide and the Fleurieu. These are spaces that understand the care, sensitivity and detail required, and many offer a level of access not typically available to the public.

    We will guide you in selecting a setting that reflects your loved one and creates the right atmosphere to gather, remember and honour.

  • We are here to help you craft memories into a story. We can assist you in writing the eulogy or weaving together the highlights of a life well-lived. Public speaking is a lot to ask of someone who is grieving. If a family member or friend isn't comfortable speaking on the day, we can engage a professional celebrant to step in and deliver readings with the warmth and respect the occasion deserves.

  • Every life is unique, and the memorial should be, too. You provide the inspiration—the passions, the quirks, and the values of your loved one—and we handle the heavy lifting of the organisation.

    You are involved in the creative heart of the event, while we take care of the logistics to ensure everything runs smoothly.

  • We believe that during a time of loss, financial clarity is a form of support. Our fees reflect the time, care, and expertise involved in professionally curating a meaningful memorial. We outline all costs upfront, separating our professional service fee from any third-party expenses, so you have a clear understanding of where your investment is going. In the traditional industry, costs can often feel opaque or bundled into "professional fees" that cover things you may not even use. Because we don't have the overheads of a mortuary or a fleet of vehicles, our pricing is clear and focused entirely on the curation of your memorial. You pay for the service and the experience, with no hidden markups on local vendors.

  • Venue hire, catering, beverages, and floral artistry are third-party costs. Banksia coordinates these services on your behalf at cost, providing you with transparent invoices directly from the providers or as a clear pass-through. This allows us to scale the memorial to your specific budget and vision.

  • Absolutely. In fact, we encourage it.

    If you have a friend who is a musician, a neighbour who wants to provide flowers from their garden, or a favourite local wine you’d like to serve, we make it happen. Our role is to provide the structure and support so that these personal touches can shine, making the day feel truly authentic to the person you are honouring.

  • The Banksia is a symbol of resilience. It is known for holding its seeds safe through all seasons, only releasing them to create new life and growth. We see a person’s legacy in the same way. Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive space to hold those memories, so that when we gather, their essence is released to live on in the hearts of all who loved them.

  • We are a small, community-rooted service built on genuine hospitality. One family at a time, with one person leading the whole process from first conversation to the final farewell.