Jenny Briscoe-Hough, director and general manager of Tender Funerals is guest speaker at the next meeting of MidNorth Coast DWDnsw on May 28..

After her mother died, Jenny had an epiphany about the business of funerals. Although Jenny and her family wrote the eulogy for her mum, brought in their own flowers and had a simple service, the bill came to $11,000.

A short time later, Jenny began thinking about setting up a not-for-profit funeral service in her local area.

With the help of a documentary and a crowdfunding campaign, she and the community of Port Kembla raised more than $120,000 to buy an old fire station in town.

This is now where Tender Funerals operates, servicing Berry, Nowra, Shoalhaven, Kiama, Wollongong and the greater Illawarra, NSW and helping families prepare their dead for burial or cremation.

On the day of the funeral, family and friends can wash and dress the body themselves, bring flowers from their own gardens, and run the service the way they want. Tender Funerals help families to reclaim the rites around death and dying.

Jenny has extensive training and experience in all aspects of death advocacy, body care, ceremonial and funeral advice.

She is a member of Natural Death Care and coordinator of Port Kembla Community Centre.

Tender Funerals is part of the community movement towards reclaiming the rites around death and dying, one of life's most important experiences.

"We hope to empower people to take control of their dying, their deaths and their funerals," Jenny said.

The MNC DWDnsw meeting convenes at Port Panthers, 1 Bay St, Port Macquarie on Tuesday, May 28 at 10am. $5 entry includes morning tea. Everyone is welcome. There is no need to book a seat.