carina@thewordsmith.com.au 

When someone dies, it can feel like their story stops.The world keeps moving, people go back to work, the kettle still boils — and yet, somehow, the silence feels louder than anything else. But the truth is, stories have this quiet, defiant way of keeping people alive.Every time we tell one — about a laugh that filled a room, a phrase they always used, a habit that drove us mad and now makes us smile — we call them back for a moment. That’s what a celebration of life is reall

From funerals to farewells, our words shape how we grieve. In Perth and across WA, families are choosing language that feels warmer and more human — turning ceremonies into modern celebrations of life where love, story, and meaning still take centre stage.

Not sure what to say to someone who’s grieving? This heartfelt Perth reflection offers gentle guidance on showing up, listening, and finding small, human ways to comfort. Because sometimes, the softest words — or none at all — say the most.