Featured image: John Davies, Spiritual Care Practitioner, Reverend Melanie Moore, Spiritual Care Practitioner, Natalia Dewiyani, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Kelly Pinto, Spiritual Care Practitioner, and Sebastian Anthony, Spiritual Care Practitioner.
May 29, 2025Last week, Northern Health’s Spiritual Care, Palliative Care, Mental Health and Social Work teams hosted a Memorial Service to honour the memory of those who passed away at Northern Health between June and November 2024.
The service, ‘A time to remember’, was an opportunity for loved ones and staff to join together to remember those who passed away. The service also paid tribute to Northern Health staff who passed away during this time.
The event was attended by more than 100 family members and 40 Northern Health staff, including Dr Andrea Kattula, Northern Health Board Member, Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, A/Prof Jason Cirone, Chief Allied Health Officer, Linda Romano, Chief Operating Officer, Pina Di Donato, Executive Director, Public Affairs and Foundation, and representatives from Spiritual Care, Palliative Care, Social Work and Mental Health. The Northern Health Community Choir also performed at the service.
Beautiful flower arrangements were also kindly donated by Melbourne Markets and were used as part of the service.
During the service, guests were invited to reflect by choosing a butterfly that represented an element – grief, courage, memories, love, peace and hope – that was meaningful to them. The butterflies were placed on a community tree in memory of those being honoured, creating a very colourful representative of attendees thoughts and feelings.
Julius Quiring, Nurse Unit Manager, Palliative Care Unit said the service was a heart felt gathering to honour the patients Northern Health has cared for.
“Many families attended, with around half of their loved ones having spent their final days in the Palliative Care Unit,” he said.
“From the sharing by families on the night, it was lovely to hear that the feedback we received as a whole organisation was deeply appreciative, highlighting the compassion, dignity, and support their loved ones received throughout their care.”
“A moment that touched everyone was when the mother of our youngest patient shared a memory of her daughter’s special graduation in the unit. Her teachers and classmates came to celebrate, and it was heartwarming to hear how we made it possible.”
“This service would not have been the same without the leadership of the Spiritual Care team, whose thoughtful guidance made the evening so meaningful.”
Alycea Formosa, Social Work Clinical Leader – Subacute, said the Northern Health Memorial Service is an incredible display of multidisciplinary collaboration.
“The Spiritual Care, Palliative Care, Social work, Volunteer and Choir teams all come together across both physical and mental health to make this service possible,” she said.
“While the effort that goes into organising the memorial is significant, it is well worth it to be able to see staff and families come together in such a beautiful way to honour those who have passed away. The Spiritual Care team do a fantastic job of holding space for families to share their memories and grief, but in this, they also find capacity to provide gentle education about the experience of grief.”
“Having written resources and support on hand to those who need it after the service, allows us to provide a pathway to link those who need it with ongoing care. Having more than 150 people attend the memorial is a testament to the strength of the Northern Health Community and sends a clear message regarding the value of the service to the families of those we have cared for.”
“Well done to all of the teams involved.”
Natalia Dewiyani, Spiritual Care Coordinator, said it was a privilege to offer a service that brought healing to all who attended — for both staff and the family and friends.
“We acknowledged how confronting it can be to return to the place where they last saw their loved one. And yet, so many families came forward to share stories — heartfelt, funny, and deeply moving — about those they had lost. The room was filled with both tears and laughter,” she said.
“That night, their grief was heard, and the lives of their loved ones were honoured and celebrated. At supper, it was beautiful to witness the healing that can unfold through conversations — between families, and between families and staff.”
“One woman shared how it was the first time in eight months since her husband passed that she had left her house, aside from shopping or paying bills. Another had travelled all the way from Northern Victoria, touched by the thoughtfulness of the invitation — not only as a step in her own healing, but also to thank us for the care we provided.”
“The Executives and Board member shared how the family stories reminded them of why they do this work. On behalf of the Spiritual Care Team, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Social Work, Palliative Care, Mental Health, the NH Foundation, Volunteers, and the Northern Health Community Choir for the beautiful music performed on the night.”
“What a meaningful way to come together — to offer a safe, kind, and healing space in which grief could be held, and love remembered.”
Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, said it was an honour to attend the memorial service.
“It was an extremely moving occasion, reminding us of the importance of coming together to honour and remember those we have lost,” she said.
“It is very special to join with families of our patients and to hear their reflections. Thank you to all who contributed to such a heartfelt event.”
