By Cam Lucadou-Wells
There was no mistaking the delight of funeral home regional manager Tia Worrall.
She was doubly thrilled as Le Pine and White Lady Funerals claimed the main prize of overall winner as well as the best large business prize at the 2018 Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Ms Worrall also dropped the best line of the night at her acceptance speech:
“If you’re passing Le Pine and White Lady Funerals, we’re happy to give you a cup of coffee.
“Don’t worry, it ends there.”
Another pearler was: “It’s a big job being a funeral director.
“It’s a job that’s either been a conversation maker or a conversation breaker.”
She paid tribute to her dedicated team putting hours into serving families in their hour of need.
In March, the Dandenong business received a $3.4 million rebuild and refurbishment, making it one of the most innovative and high-tech funeral homes in Australia.
It is hailed as a ‘funeral home for today and the future’.
It holds a 200-capacity non-denominational chapel – the largest in the South East with state-of-the-art multimedia facilities.
As well as two arranging rooms, a viewing room, a celebration/memorial lounge with an outdoor area, commercial kitchen, and on-site car parking.
Owned by global company IvoCare, the funeral home offers choice – from State funerals to more informal services in its memorial lounge.
The recent merger also offered the choice of the “theatrical”, “soft”and “sensitive” White Lady service and the traditional Le Pine offering that draws on more than a century of experience, Ms Worrall said.
“We work in tandem. When a customer comes in we talk with them and work out what brand is better for them.”
The home prides itself on compassionate, exceeding expectations and delivering outstanding service.
“You’re not a number in the queue like with some bigger funeral outfits that hold one (funeral) after the other and you’re pushed out quite quickly.
“At our parlour if you need more time you can have it.”
The stunning transformation was the result of in-depth customer research into the changing needs of the funeral industry.
The Le Pine and White Lady Funerals team also play a strong role in supporting the local community.
Le Pine Funerals has supported local nursing homes with horse therapy days and the team at Dandenong most recently launched a series of education seminars including dementia awareness and loss and grief.
They are planning a suicide prevention seminar in coming months.
BREAKOUT:
Overall Business Award
Sponsor: NAB
Winner: Le Pine White Lady Funerals
Nominees: Advanced Robotics, Afghan Rahimi Restaurant, Dandenong Basketball Association, Dandenong Oasis YMCA, Financial Foundations Australia, Food Safety Labels, From Granny, Le Pine White Lady Funerals, Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre, Supergroups, Telford Smith.
Large Business Award
Sponsor: Greater Dandenong Chamber
Winner: Le Pine White Lady Funerals
Nominees: Dandenong Oasis YMCA, Le Pine White Lady Funerals, Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre, Supergroups, Telford Smith.
