Let's Talk About It
Description
Let's Talk About It
Planning ahead. Knowing your options. Making things easier for those you love.
A free community information day
Saturday 20 February 2027 | 10am-2pm
Pettigrew Family Funerals | Mayfield West
Funeal Planning | Legal & Wills | Finances | Palliative Care | Estates & Support |
There are some things we don’t think about until suddenly, we need to.
What happens to bank accounts when someone dies? Do I really need a Will? What happens if I don’t have one? What will my family need to organise? What happens to the family home? Can I plan my funeral in advance?
Let’s Talk About It is a free community information day designed to help answer these questions and start conversations we often put off.
We’re bringing together people who understand the legal, financial, practical and emotional sides of planning ahead, end of life and what comes after.
The aim is simple: to give you access to helpful information, practical resources and people who can answer your questions, so you and your family can feel a little more informed and prepared.
You don’t need to be facing a loss to start the conversation. In fact, that’s the point.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Throughout the day, you'll have the opportunity to:
Hear from specialists: Short, informative sessions covering funeral, legal and financial planning, palliative care, grief and deceased estates.
Ask your questions: An open Q&A panel covering the questions you've always wanted to ask, but perhaps never knew who to ask.
Meet the people who can help: Visit information stands, speak one-on-one and learn about the services and support available.
Take home practical resources: Helpful guides and information to continue conversations and make plans with your family.
Enjoy complimentary catering: Stay for one session or spend the day with us.
No pressure. No expectations. Just helpful information and conversations worth having.
WHAT WE’LL TALK ABOUT
Funeral Planning with Pettigrew Family Funerals
What actually happens when someone dies? Understand funeral choices, costs, pre-planning and the decisions families may need to make. Learn what can be organised ahead of time and how preparation can make things easier for those you love.
Legal & Estate Planning with BakerLove Lawyers
Understand the importance of having a Will, Powers of Attorney, estate planning and what happens when someone dies without the right legal arrangements in place. Learn about deceased estates and the responsibilities of executors and beneficiaries.
Financial Planning with FinBiz Advisers
What happens to finances and bank accounts after death? What should your family know? Explore practical ways to prepare your finances, understand your options and make things easier for those who may one day need to manage them.
Palliative & End-of-Life Care
Understand what palliative care involves, when it can begin and the support available for individuals and their families. Learn how to access care and resources when they're needed.
Home & Estate Transitions, with The Kind Agent
What happens to the family home and belongings? Discover practical guidance around downsizing, organising, preparing a home for sale and managing the practical responsibilities of a deceased estate.
Understanding Anticipatory Grief with Kaz Amos, Psychologist
Grief doesn't always begin when someone dies. Understand the emotions that can come with preparing to lose someone you love, navigating ageing and end-of-life conversations, and practical ways to care for your emotional wellbeing before and after loss.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
Everyone is welcome.
You don't need to be facing a loss or have an immediate need for this information.
This day may be particularly helpful if you're:
Planning ahead for yourself or your family
Supporting ageing parents or someone with a serious illness
Helping a loved one organise their affairs
An executor or someone wanting to understand estate responsibilities
Looking to better understand end-of-life care and available support
Simply wanting to be more informed and prepared for the future
Lineup
Joel Pettigrew | Pettigrew Family Funerals
Managing Director | Funeral Industry Leader As Managing Director of Pettigrew Family Funerals, Joel helps lead a family-owned business that has cared for generations of families across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter. With extensive experience in funeral care, Joel understands the difficult decisions families face when someone dies and the difference that clear information and preparation can make. Joel will share practical insights into funeral planning, the options available and what families can expect when the time comes.
Funeral Industry Q&A Panel
Joel will also be joined by Tanya Wilson, Head of Mortuary & Embalmer, and Liz Mackie, Pre-Plan Consultant, for an open and informative panel discussion. Together, they'll answer some of the questions people have always wanted to ask about funerals, what happens behind the scenes, caring for someone after death, funeral arrangements and planning ahead. It's an opportunity to hear directly from the people who do this work every day, ask questions openly and better understand what happens when someone dies.
Adrian Corbould | BakerLove Lawyers
Accredited Wills & Estates Specialist Adrian is a highly experienced Wills and Estates lawyer with more than 20 years specialising in estate disputes. He leads BakerLove's Contested Wills & Estates Team and is one of a relatively small number of solicitors in NSW recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates. Adrian will explain the importance of a properly prepared Will, what happens when someone dies without one, the role of estate planning and how estates are administered, all in practical, everyday language.
Annette Pulbrook | FinBiz Advisers
Financial Adviser & Planning Specialist Annette joins us from FinBiz Advisers to discuss the financial side of planning ahead and the importance of understanding your options before they're needed. Her session will explore practical financial considerations, what can happen to accounts and financial arrangements after death, and steps families can consider to make managing finances easier.
Kaz Amos | The Hummingbird Centre
Psychologist | Mental Health & Wellbeing Kaz will explore the emotional side of preparing for loss, particularly anticipatory grief and the feelings that can arise when someone we love is seriously ill or approaching end of life. Her session will also touch on ageing, our own mortality and the importance of understanding and looking after our mental wellbeing through these experiences. Through practical insights and guidance, Kaz will help attendees better understand these emotions and discover ways to support themselves and those they love.
Emily Rees | The Kind Agent
Seniors Relocation & Estate Support Specialist Emily is the founder of The Kind Agent, helping individuals and families navigate some of life's biggest home transitions with care and practical support. From assisting older people with downsizing and moving, to organising belongings, coordinating deceased estate properties and providing real estate guidance, Emily helps make overwhelming tasks more manageable. Her session will explore what can be done before and after a loss to make the practical side of managing a home and belongings a little easier.
Palliative Care Specialist
Speaker to be announced We'll also be joined by a palliative care specialist to help explain what palliative care really means, the support available and how it can benefit individuals and families well before the final stages of life. Further speaker and session details will be announced as the program is finalised.
Garth Russell | Event Host & MC
A familiar voice to many across Newcastle and the Hunter, Garth Russell has spent decades connecting with people through radio, storytelling and conversation. His broadcasting career brought him to Newcastle in 1986, with roles across local radio including NEWFM and ABC Newcastle, where he became a well-known and much-loved voice. Today, Garth brings his natural warmth, humour and gift for storytelling to his role as a Funeral Celebrant with Pettigrew Family Funerals, helping families honour their loved ones through meaningful, personal services. As our host and MC for Let's Talk About It, Garth will guide us through the day, introduce our speakers and help create a relaxed, welcoming environment where no question is off limits and important conversations feel a little easier to have.
FAQs
- Do I need to register to attend?
We kindly ask that you register so we can prepare for seating and catering. Registration is free and only takes a moment.
- Who is this event for?
Everyone is welcome! Whether you're planning ahead for yourself, helping ageing parents, supporting someone through illness, managing a loved one's estate or simply wanting to know more, this day is for you.
- Do I need to be planning a funeral to attend?
Not at all. In fact, that's the whole idea! This event is about having important conversations before you need to. We'll be covering much more than funerals, including Wills, finances, palliative care, estates and emotional wellbeing.
- Do I need to attend the entire event?
No. You're welcome to attend the sessions that interest you or stay for the whole day. We want the event to be as relaxed and accessible as possible.
- Will I be expected to speak or ask questions?
Absolutely not. You're welcome to simply sit, listen and take in the information. There will be opportunities to ask questions, but there's no expectation to participate.
- Can I ask questions privately?
Yes. Alongside the presentations and panel discussions, there will be opportunities to speak directly with our specialists at their information stands. You're welcome to ask questions in a more personal, one-on-one setting.
- Will there be someone trying to sell me something?
No. This is a community information day, not a sales event. Our aim is to provide helpful information, practical resources and access to people who can answer your questions. There is no pressure or obligation.
- Can I bring a family member or friend?
Of course! We encourage you to bring someone along. These are often conversations worth having together. Just make sure everyone attending is included in your registration.
- What if I haven't thought about any of these things before?
Then this is a great place to start! You don't need any prior knowledge or plans in place. Our speakers will explain things in everyday language, with practical advice to help you understand your options.
- Will refreshments be provided?
Yes! Complimentary catering and refreshments will be available throughout the event.
- Where is the event being held?
At Pettigrew Family Funerals, Mayfield West, on Saturday 20 February 2027, from 10am to 2pm.
7 Murray Dwyer Circuit, Mayfield West
- What if I find these topics upsetting?
We understand that conversations about death, dying and grief can bring up difficult emotions, particularly if you've experienced a loss. You're welcome to step outside, take a break or leave at any time. There are no expectations, and we want everyone to feel comfortable attending.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
