Emily Choy Interview: Helping Families Say a Meaningful Goodbye

Before arranging a farewell, Emily Choy listens to the family’s story. She then helps them bring difficult-to-express memories, gratitude and goodbyes into a funeral that belongs to their family.

In 2018, SBS Cantonese interviewed Emily Choy for Australian Story: Celebrant Emily Choy, documenting her experience in funeral and celebrant work in Australia. Emily’s priority is not only to complete the necessary procedures, but to provide a fitting farewell for the person who has died and a genuine opportunity for those remaining to say goodbye.

From counselling to funeral service

Emily’s earlier counselling work became an important foundation for supporting bereaved families. After a death, families often face grief and many unfamiliar decisions at once: cremation or burial, cultural or religious rites, speakers, notifications, documents, venue, timing and cost.

Her counselling background taught her to listen before offering answers, understand what matters to each person and organise the next steps clearly. She later trained as a celebrant, gained practical experience and came to work across both funeral planning and ceremony presentation.

A celebrant does more than speak on the day

Before a ceremony, a celebrant learns about the deceased person’s life, character, family, faith and important experiences. The work may include organising the life story and speeches, selecting music and photographs, arranging video or religious elements, coordinating different languages and cultures, managing the ceremony’s timing and tone, and helping prepare or read a eulogy when family members cannot speak.

A funeral may last one hour, but it represents a person’s lifetime and emotions the family may find difficult to organise. A good celebrant knows what to ask, what needs clarification and when to pause.

Listen first, then arrange

Every family needs a different farewell. Some want Chinese traditional, Buddhist or Taoist rites; others prefer a Christian or Catholic memorial service; and some choose a simple, personal, non-religious ceremony centred on music, photographs, video and family stories.

There is no single format for every funeral. The arrangements should reflect who the person was, how the family wants to remember them, which traditions matter and the language and cultural needs of those attending.

Keeping a person’s story in the farewell

A meaningful funeral need not be elaborate. A favourite song, a small family story or photographs from different stages of life can help people see the person again. Emily helps families gather these memories, find the words they want to say and, when necessary, have those words read on their behalf.

A time for family reconnection

A funeral can bring distant relatives back together, while unresolved conflict or different views about faith, cremation, burial, budget and ceremony may also surface. A celebrant cannot decide for the family, but can help people explain their views, identify urgent decisions and return the discussion to the deceased person’s wishes and what the family shares.

A cultural bridge for Melbourne families

Many Melbourne Chinese families live across several cultures and generations. Older relatives may prefer Cantonese while younger relatives use English; some value traditional customs while others prefer a modern ceremony. Emily communicates in Cantonese, Mandarin and English and helps families understand funeral, cremation, burial, cemetery, documentation and overseas arrangements in Australia.

On Sum can arrange Chinese traditional, Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Catholic and non-religious farewells, as well as transfer of the deceased, funeral proceedings, cremation or burial, documents, products, flowers and international repatriation.

A meaningful farewell for the person who died and the family who remains

“Helping the departed leave well, and those who remain say goodbye well.”

For Emily, a funeral is both the final practical arrangement in a life and the beginning of a family’s experience of loss. Clear documents, venues and ceremonies matter, but so does knowing what will happen next, what choices are available and who will listen.

Source: SBS Cantonese interview | Last reviewed: 17 August 2026