Funeral Directors Brisbane - Our Team - Traditional Funerals Australia

Funeral Arranging Team

Paul Burns

Funeral Arranger

Hello. I am Paul Burns Team leader and Funeral Director at the Redcliffe office and Chapel I was born in

Belfast Ireland. And immigrated to Australia in 1974. I am married 40 years this year with two grown up children. When I am not at traditional Funerals. I like to shop in second hand shops and markets. I have been a funeral director on and off for nearly 40 years staring in Sydney where I experienced mainly Italian funerals and then Jewish funerals . During my career I have been involved with many faiths and beliefs and encountered everything from a state funeral to funerals where only one person has been in attendance. Every funeral at Traditional gets 110 percent and nothing less. If you see me hanging around the second hand shops around Redcliffe please say hello.

Danni McGoldrick

Funeral Arranger

Danni McGoldrick started her career out as a school based apprentice chef – after 6 years working the

kitchen lifestyle she realised, that environment was not for her. Danni decided to take a new career path and completed a degree of Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management Majoring in Event Management. The requirement of 100 hours placement for this degree led to the connection of Traditional Funerals. After placement, Danni was offered a Job at Traditional Funerals. In her now 4th year of employment, Danni is the youngest Full time Funeral Director as well as the PR Team Leader. Danni loves her job because it is unique, very rewarding and you are able to make a positive impact in an otherwise time of great sadness.

Adam Major

Funeral Arranger

Hi! My name is Adam Major and I have been a funeral arranger at Traditional Funerals for the past two

years. I often get asked why a young man such as myself is interested in being a funeral arranger and my response is usually “Because someday I’m going to lose someone I love and I hope that on the other side of the table is a funeral arranger that will care for my loved one as if it was a loved one of their own”. That is the type of attitude I try to bring to work every day because ultimately my job is to care and support families through a very tough journey and I can only do that if I truly do invest in the process with them. One of the biggest influences in my life is my Grandfather Reverend Allan Male. Throughout his life he has worked alongside families in all chapters of their lives. His compassion and care for anyone and everyone filtered through to me. When the opportunity presented itself to leave night shift work to be given the opportunity to look after others in their most vulnerable state as they navigate the hardest challenge of making funeral arrangements for their loved ones, I just knew that this was where I was called to be. Since joining Traditional Funerals, I haven’t looked back and I am proud to be a part of the hardworking, compassionate and supportive Traditional family. Outside of work my biggest passion is Soccer and every weekend is spent watching and participating in various matches alongside my Wife Emily and our dog Milly. Life is fragile and fleeting, but to be a part of farewelling a life is the greatest honour for me. “To live in the hearts we leave behind, is not to die.” – Thomas Campbell

Kirsty Mayon

Funeral Arranger

Ready for a career change, I was fortunate and blessed to be given the opportunity to take a role within

Traditional Funerals. Although I am new to the industry, I sincerely believe that with my compassion, empathy and understanding, I am able to offer support to families, at what can be a difficult time in the loss and grieving process of a loved one. I am always available to help, guide and assist families in the planning of a loved ones funeral service, to suit their needs. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends in the great outdoors, exploring what beautiful Queensland has to offer and the various opportunities we are given.

Angela Bruhn

Funeral Arranger

Is the newest member to the team with a background in Hospitality, Events and Community Care. I was

born in Scotland and has been in Australia for 15 years. I chose to work with Traditional Funerals as they had an excellent reputation for their service and professionalism. With every family I work with, I endeavour to make sure they get the support and attention they need to help them navigate what is a difficult time. When not at work you will find me spending time with my family, friends and crazy dog!

Kevin Hudson

Funeral Arranger

Hi, My name is Kevin. I have been in the Funeral Industry for about 15 years, previously I was in Church

ministry and also with Australia Post. Helping people during difficult times gives me a great sense of satisfaction. When I'm not working I am usually travelling overseas or around Australia.

Kim Duncan

Funeral Arranger

My career in the funeral industry started 8 years ago by coming across a Funeral Pre-Arranger

position. During this time I realised my calling to work in the mortuary. Now as mortuary manager I fill my days with preparing and dressing families loved ones (where I have lovely conversations with them too). Working in this part of the funeral industry is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. Personally I feel privileged to be the last person to look after people after they have passed. In my spare time, I like nothing more than reading a good book with a lovely glass of wine whilst hanging out with my cats (and husband of course!!!)

Nathan Male

Funeral Assistant

I have worked for Traditional Funerals for almost 4 years, starting out as a Funeral Assistant, doing all

basic and general jobs around the funeral home. I have now progressed into a position in the multimedia team where I help design, edit and produce products that suit the modern-day funeral. Working in this industry, we surround our self with grief every day, not because we like it, but because we are people that like to help others. When the time comes, I wouldn’t have anyone else look after my family, because I know our caring staff will always look after your loved ones like they would their own.

Peter Buckley

Funeral Assistant

For the past 18 years I have learned and carried out every aspect of the funeral industry from coffin

trimming, operations coordinator, cremator operator, to mortuary functions, I derive lots of satisfaction from passing on my knowledge and mentoring new staff members and thoroughly enjoy working in a team atmosphere at Traditional Funerals and hope to continue to do so as long as I am able.

Zack Webster

Funeral Assistant

Hi my name is Zack and I've been working in the industry for 2 1/2 years my main roles are assisting on

funerals, operating the cremator and trimming coffins. when I'm not working you can either mind me 4x driving or relaxing at home.

Lachlan Schrader

Funeral Assistant

Hi, my name is Lachlan; I have lived most of my life in Dayboro and have since move locally to Deception Bay.

I’ve worked at Traditional Funerals as a Funeral Assistant for a number of years now and thoroughly enjoy what I do to help the local community. As a small family owned business I work here along side my dad and hope to be here for many more years to come.

Pre-Planning Team

Lesley Hyde

Pre-Planning Consultant

My name is Lesley, were I have been part of Traditional Funerals for over five years. I take pride in

working with such genuine and caring people. My main role is leading our Pre-need team where I am happy to chat with you over the phone or meet with you to discuss funeral pre-planning.

Lisa Curran

Pre-Planning Consultant

My name is Lisa and I began working with Traditional funerals in March of 2019 as a Preneed funeral

consultant two days a week. My professional background was in management within the real estate industry, both private and government sectors. I manage my own private practice as a Naturopathic health practitioner three days a week and was seeking an emotionally rewarding part time role that would complement her skills as a naturopath and away from the real estate industry. I love my job here at Traditional funerals and am truly humbled that I can assist those at their time of need with planning their final wishes. Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to pre-planning. As little or as much can be discussed and planned when pre-arranging a funeral. From personal choice of flowers, venue, music, coffin choice, eulogies and/or final wishes for the final resting place can all be discussed and pre-planned. Personally I am married with three adult children and four grand-children of whom I love to spend time with on the weekends along with being as active as I can outside amongst nature.

Support Team

Iain Potts

Reception

My name is Iain Potts. I am 32 years old. I have been apart of the team at Traditional Funerals for close to 5

and a half years. It is an honour to be apart of a team that purely want to help others. We have the opportunity to help many families create an important lasting memory, and to create a safe place to say goodbye to their loved one.

Georgie Furphy

Reception

Georgie has been with Traditional Funerals for over six years and has recently transferred to our Redcliffe

Office, where she attends to families. Georgie arranges catering and liaises with local nursing homes and businesses.

Denise Forbes

Accounts

Hi, I am Georgie Furphy where I have been with Traditional Funerals for over six years and have recently

transferred to our Redcliffe Office, where I attend to families. My role ranges from arranging catering, liaises with local nursing homes and businesses to front reception. I have adopted the name Baroness of the Bay. In my personal time, I take care of my grandchildren where I can and also enjoy cooking.

Bethany McBryde

Accounts

Ron Davy

Facilities

I have been in the funeral industry for 6 years now and my main role is gardening and facilities when I can.

management. I enjoy working with Traditional Funerals and in my spare time, I go to church on Saturdays and play golf

Scott Schrader

Mortuary

Hi, my name is Scott; I have been in the funeral industry for over 20 years as a Mortician, I have been with

Traditional Funerals for over 5 years and have personally looked after all the Mortuary care alongside Kim in this time and apply the utmost respect when looking after families loved ones that come into my care.

Bernie Dunn

Catering

For seven years I have prepared and served the after service catering at Traditional Funerals. Since the

beginning of time, communities have gathered together for many life occasions and food is the one thing that brings us together. The simple act of sharing a chat over a “Cuppa” has always been a source of comfort whether it is with family or a friend. This is one of the reasons I find my work rewarding. Families who have just said farewell to their loved one come straight from the funeral service to me in our catering area. Our families may not have had an opportunity to greet and catch up with their family and friends. I am able to provide our families the freedom to take this time to eat, drink and find comfort and support from their family and friends without the pressure of having to arrange an alternate venue, prepare their own food or deal with the clean up. It brings me a great sense of satisfaction in my work to see a sense of calm and quiet reflection or laughter from our families as they reminisce and share stories about their loved one. This is one of the things that makes my job feel pretty special.

Jordan O'Neill

Multi Media

I first began working with Traditional Funerals mid-2011 as a funeral assistant and through nearly 8 years,

some changes to our team, our company, and our facilities, I have consistently been very happy to call this my workplace. A group of people who genuinely care. As one of the younger and more tech-savvy members of our team at the time, I naturally migrated toward running the audio and visual presentations that have become a main-stay in the modern funeral service. I quickly recognised that the media played at services had become an integral part of how we remember those we have lost. Music that has been special throughout someone’s life, photographs that help to tell a story that may otherwise be known only to the closest friends and family, can help to sum up the life of a unique individual in ways that words can sometimes fail to do. After a few years of being hands-on with the equipment on services, I was offered the opportunity to begin working behind the scenes to lead the multimedia team. I helped to develop the print and digital media for funerals and establish a process to ensure each farewell not only runs smoothly, but reflects the life and personality of each person we care for. Through this role, I have found (as a somewhat introverted person) my way to add value to a funeral service from ‘behind the scenes'. With the fantastic team I work with, I hope we have helped to create unforgettable farewells for unforgettable people.

Jenny Heit

Crematorium

Just imagine, if you can, being able to see your best friends every day, going for walks in beautiful gardens

with amazing people you have only just met who are entrusting you with one of the most emotional and important decisions they will ever make for people they love, helping people to choose gorgeous pieces of jewellery and memorabilia keepsakes, and being able to bring your very own Labrador along, and you actually get paid to do this. Sounds amazing doesn't it. I am so very lucky to say that this is my job. My name is Jenny (I just love that some of my team refer to me as Aunty Jen), and this accurately describes my job. I love it and the incredible people I get to work with each day. I am a Crematorium Assistant at Moreton Bay Crematorium which is part of Traditional Funerals at Burpengary. I return the ashes of loved ones back to their grieving families and help them with their choices of remembrance which may be a position in our memorial walls or gardens, our tree of remembrance, a selection of urns and/or jewellery, scattering tubes, tealight urns, or even fireworks if they so wish. The sky really is the limit.

Clerissa Wilson

Administration

Hi! I'm Clerissa Wilson, I am one of the Crematorium Administration Officers. I am new to the industry

coming from a chef Background of 6 years. I am currently studying my degree in social work as it is my passion to support and guide people who are in need. When not at work I enjoy horse riding, camping and spending time with my family.

Chelsea

Therapy Dog

Chelsea is one of Traditional Funerals more recent employees and she just thoroughly enjoys

coming to work. Chelsea works on a very casual basis and loves her co-workers very much. Chelsea's job is to offer pats and tricks to hopefully make people feel a little bit better. She also likes to clean up the lunch room floor and chase birds in the paddock. She occasionally is allowed to go to funerals, which she loves. Chelsea has been certified through the Australian Therapy Dogs Association and she proudly displays her certificate in the Crematorium office. She is an almost 8 year old golden labrador. In her spare time, she loves long runs on the beach, and eating...Anything!!!

Leadership Team

Jason Taane

General Manager

Having spent 6 years in the funeral industry in New Zealand Jason joined the team here at Traditional

Funerals 2 years ago now as the General Manager. He is a return servicemen having served his country for a number of years.

Koren Micallef

Assistant Manager

Koren Micallef, who has lived locally all her life where she is a mother of two. Her background is in Business,

Human Resources and Administration. Currently she works for Traditional Funerals and The Moreton Bay Crematorium and Memorial Park as the Assistant General Manager where she finds her job rewarding as serving our families at their hardest time, is the greatest privilege. It is an honour to work with our Donor families and our Office of Australian War Graves Families. Come in and see Koren for a cuppa sometime.

Shane Steedman

Operations Manager

Shane Steedman started his career as a Cabinetmaker, and after many years of working in his trade, took

on a position in the Funeral Industry as a Coffin Maker/Funeral Assistant, after gaining over 20 years experience working across most areas, he has settled in the position of Operations Manager of Traditional Funerals. Shane finds this to be a very rewarding career in being able to help our client families through what can be one of the saddest and most difficult times in their lives, he enjoys being able offer support, empathy and to being able to guide his fellow colleagues.

Carla Hitchcock

Administration Manager

My name is Carla Hitchcock and I have served in the Funeral industry for 14 years. Starting as a Funeral Assistant,

my experience includes Funeral Arranger and Conductor, Pre need Funeral Arranging, Crematorium and Funeral Administration. I currently work in Reception at the Burpengary office, where I look after all of our families and I also look after the team.