The Quiet Power of Saying Goodbye Your Way

There’s no single way to say goodbye.Some people gather under church ceilings; others beneath open sky.Some light candles and sing hymns; others play Cold Chisel and pour a beer.

What matters isn’t the format. It’s that moment when love and memory meet — when people come together and say, This life mattered.

That’s the quiet power of a celebration of life: it gives you permission to say goodbye in a way that feels true to the person, not the protocol. It’s part of a bigger shift — from ceremony that follows rules to ceremony that follows heart. You can read more about that change → From Funerals to Farewells

I work in Perth and I see this shift every week — families choosing honesty over tradition, gathering in gardens, homes, and community halls instead of chapels. From oceanfront ceremonies to backyard farewells, Perth families are learning that saying goodbye your way is the truest way to honour love.

There’s no right way — only your way

For generations, farewells were expected to follow rules. Certain clothes. Certain words. Certain tones.

But today, families are remembering that ceremony can — and should — feel personal.

If your person loved the ocean, hold it near the water.If they danced through life, play their music loud.If they were private, make it simple and soft.

"There’s no handbook for love. So why should there be one for loss?"

Modern Farewells in Perth — The Quiet Power of Personal Goodbyes

Across Perth and WA, families are discovering that modern farewells don’t need to follow the rules. What matters isn’t formality — it’s meaning, memory, and the permission to say goodbye in your own way.

Meaning lives in the details

The smallest touches often speak the loudest.A reading from a favourite book. A seat left empty in honour. A single flower laid instead of many.

These moments don’t have to cost a thing — they just have to mean something.

When we strip away expectation, we make space for the authentic: the gestures, words, and choices that feel like them.

That’s where healing begins — in ceremony that feels like truth, not performance.

Honour doesn’t need formality

Some families choose chapels, others backyards.Some release doves; some release laughter.

"Formality doesn’t equal respect — presence does."

Saying goodbye your way is an act of love, not rebellion. It says, We know who they were, and we’ll honour them in that language.

Your story, your space

When I meet families, I often ask one question first:“What would make this feel like them?”

Sometimes it’s a song.Sometimes it’s the smell of their cooking.Sometimes it’s the way everyone gathers close, with hands on shoulders and stories on lips.

From there, the celebration takes shape — naturally, organically, beautifully human.

The healing in authenticity

Authenticity doesn’t mean perfect. It means honest.

It means the speech with trembling hands.The laugh that bursts out at an unexpected memory.The tears that come before you finish your sentence.

Those are the moments people remember.Not the flowers, not the timings — the realness.

Because grief doesn’t need to be polished. It just needs to be witnessed.

The power of permission

When you create a farewell that feels genuine, you’re also giving everyone else permission to grieve in their own way.

You’re telling them it’s okay to cry, to laugh, to breathe, to remember.That there’s no wrong way to love someone who’s gone.

That’s what a celebration of life does.It reminds us that endings can be beautiful — not because they’re neat, but because they’re true.

Your goodbye is a beginning

Saying goodbye your way doesn’t close a chapter — it opens one. It creates a story your family will tell for years to come: “Do you remember how perfectly it felt like them?”

That memory becomes part of the healing — a soft place to land when the ache returns.

So, if you’re standing at that crossroads now, wondering what to do —Start with the heart. Trust your instincts.And know this:Whatever way you choose to say goodbye, if it feels like love, it’s right.

FAQ

Can I plan a celebration of life in Perth instead of a traditional funeral?

Absolutely. Perth families are increasingly choosing personalised celebrations of life — ceremonies that feel more like love stories than farewells.

What does “saying goodbye your way” mean?

It means creating a farewell that feels authentic — whether that’s a quiet beach ceremony, a backyard gathering, or a simple moment shared among family.

Do celebrants help design these kinds of ceremonies?

Yes. A celebrant can help you shape a ceremony that reflects your person’s story, values, and spirit — without rules or expectations.

Link to

→ From Funerals to Farewells

→ Why More Families Are Choosing Celebrants Over Clergy

If you’re looking for a celebrant to help honour someone you love, I’d be honoured to help you find the right words.

— Carina Quinn | The Wordsmith CelebrantCreating modern, heartfelt celebrations of life across Perth.