Heavenly Catering, 10C Ponderosa Parade, Warriewood (2026)

12/06/2026

The sky looks different when someone you love is up there.

A sunrise. A sunset. A patch of blue between the clouds.

Sometimes the smallest things can bring back the biggest memories.

If you're missing someone today, may you find comfort in the moments that remind you they are still part of your story.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/

10/06/2026

💡 Did you know?

Even if you're arranging the catering yourself, Heavenly Catering can provide the equipment you need to create a beautiful and comfortable space for a wake, memorial service or celebration of life.

Our hire equipment makes it possible to host a gathering almost anywhere, whether that's at home, in a hall, outdoors or at a special location that held meaning for your loved one.

Equipment available for hire includes:

• Audio equipment
• Chafing dishes
• Chocolate fountain
• Crockery and cutlery
• Decorations
• Flooring
• Furniture
• Glassware
• Lighting, including festoon lights, fairy lights, spotlights and candles
• Linen
• Marquees
• Outdoor gas heaters

Whatever you're planning, we're here to help make the day run smoothly.

Link in bio.

04/06/2026

A wake is often where some of the most meaningful conversations happen.

It's where family and friends gather after the funeral service to share stories, reminisce, laugh, cry and celebrate a life that touched so many others.

At Heavenly Catering, we believe food plays an important role in bringing people together. Our wake catering services help create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where guests can connect, reflect and support one another.

Because sometimes a cup of tea, a shared meal and a favourite story are exactly what's needed.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/wake-catering/

02/06/2026

Winter Gatherings, Your Way.

As winter settles in, indoor venues provide a cosy and inviting space for family and friends to gather, reflect and remember.

At Heavenly Catering, we can cater at a wide range of venues across Sydney and the Northern Beaches, helping you create a gathering that reflects your loved one and brings family and friends together.

Alberts Bar at Mona Vale Bowling Club is one of our favourite winter venues with its historic wall mural by Indigenous Artist Albert Namatjira, private bar and and open fireplace

Whether you're planning an intimate afternoon tea or a larger celebration of life, our team will work with you to provide fresh, beautifully presented catering so you can focus on what matters most.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/funeral_venues/mona-vale-bowling-club/

28/05/2026

The world keeps moving.

Grief doesn’t always move with it.

Sometimes everything around you seems normal while your own world feels completely changed.

If you’re grieving right now, especially after everyone else has gone back to their routines, you are not alone.

Grief doesn’t follow a timeline and there’s no “right” way to carry it.

https://www.funeralsbydesign.com.au/navigating-grief-after-the-funeral-is-over/

27/05/2026

What does “Full-Service” Catering & Event Coordination for Wakes & Celebrations of Life include? 💗

Planning a wake can feel overwhelming when you’re already grieving.

That’s why Heavenly Catering offers full-service wake catering and event coordination designed to ease some of the pressure during a difficult time.

With more than 20 years of experience, we can help with:
💗Catering and refreshments
💗Furniture and equipment hire
💗Venue hire and coordination
💗Table settings and setup
💗Staff and service on the day
💗Creating a warm, welcoming space for family and friends to gather

So you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time being together.

heavenlycatering.com.au

24/05/2026

Thanks to Karin, Malcolm’s farewell was deeply personal from beginning to end, right down to the food shared afterwards.

After carrying Malcolm’s casket to the hearse, family and friends raised crystal glasses filled with rusty nails, Drambuie and scotch, in honour of a “proper English gentleman.” 💗

Karin not only coordinated the funeral and catered the wake, she also prepared Malcolm’s favourite family dinner that evening: roast beef and Yorkshire puddings.

Because sometimes the meals shared after a funeral become part of the memories too.

Read Malcolm’s beautiful story here:
Farewelling Malcolm in the most perfect way possible

20/05/2026

Warm & Informal Wake Venue Ideas 💗

Not every farewell needs a formal venue or traditional function room.

Some of the most meaningful wakes happen in places that already hold memories:
💗a surf club overlooking the water,
💗a family backyard,
💗a local hall,
💗a favourite community space,
💗or even home around the kitchen table.

When people feel comfortable, the stories flow more naturally, the laughter comes easier and the gathering feels more personal.

At Heavenly Catering, we can help you create a warm, welcoming wake that truly reflects the person being remembered.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/venues/

17/05/2026

Somehow the funniest stories always come out at wakes.

The chaotic ones.
The embarrassing ones.
The stories the person who’s gone would probably be laughing hardest at themselves.

And sometimes laughter is just another form of love. 💗

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/

14/05/2026

“Karin and the team did an excellent job of catering for my Father's wake pulled together at short notice.

“The food was spot, service friendly and respectful and they took care of everything.

“It was exactly what was needed.”

Martin Burton
5 Star Google Review

Hi Martin,

Thank you for your kind words during what I know was a very difficult time. It was truly an honour to support you and your family by catering for your father’s wake. I’m so glad to hear that everything came together as you needed on the day.

As the anniversary of your father’s passing approaches, my thoughts are with you and your family. Wishing you strength and comfort as you remember and honour him.

Warm regards,
Karin
Catering by Design

12/05/2026

Winter wake venues. Cosy, warm and filled with connection.

Not every farewell needs a formal venue or grand setting.

Some of the most meaningful gatherings happen around an open fire, over comforting food, surrounded by stories, photographs, laughter and the people who mattered most.

A surf club glowing softly in winter light.
A family home filled with memories.
A rustic space where guests linger a little longer, sharing stories over warm drinks and food.

For those looking for a welcoming winter venue, Chinwaggery at Ponderosa House on Sydney’s Northern Beaches offers a relaxed and intimate setting with rustic interiors, an open fireplace, outdoor fire pit and space for both small and larger gatherings of up to 200 guests.

At Heavenly Catering, we can help you find a venue and create a gathering that feels personal, comforting and reflective of the person being remembered.

Because sometimes the simplest farewells are the ones people remember most.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/venues/

09/05/2026

Mother’s Day can be beautiful for some, but incredibly difficult for others.

To everyone carrying grief this Mother’s Day, we’re especially thinking of you.
💔 Missing your mum or a grandmother
💔Have lost a child
💔Grieving miscarriage or infertility
💔Longing to become a mother but never had the chance
💔Navigating estrangement or complicated family relationships
💔Lost a beloved fur babywho was deeply part of your family

You are not alone.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/

07/05/2026

Does Mother’s Day remind you of someone deeply missed?

This weekend, while cafes fill, flowers are delivered and families gather together, you may be quietly grieving the loss of a mum, grandmother, child, partner or someone who played an important role in your life.

Days like this can feel heavy in unexpected ways, and it’s okay if your experience of Mother’s Day looks very different to everyone else’s.
💗 You don’t have to pretend to be okay
💗 You don’t have to follow traditions that feel too hard
💗 You don’t have to explain your grief to anyone
💗 You are allowed to step away, slow down or do things differently this year
💗 You are allowed to remember, reflect and feel whatever comes up

Sometimes comfort can be found in the smallest things, sharing a meal, lighting a candle, looking through photos or simply spending time with people who understand.

You can read more about coping with grief during Mother’s Day and other significant occasions here:

https://www.funeralsbydesign.com.au/coping-with-grief-on-birthdays-anniversaries-and-other-significant-days-of-the-year/

06/05/2026

Have you ever considered having a living wake?

This week’s Australian Story episode featuring James Valentine has prompted many people to start thinking differently about end-of-life celebrations and the opportunity to gather with loved ones while you’re still able to share the experience together.

“James Valentine's ‘year of living gratefully’ included a decision to hold a living wake.

“Valentine urged the 180 guests at the living wake, fittingly held on Valentine’s Day at Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club, to tell him about stupid things they had done together or adventures they had shared.

“This is a gift that I can take with me into these next months, which are going to be tough,” he said. “This is nourishment for my soul, which I’m getting from you today. So thank you.

“Australian Story followed James Valentine over 12 months as he made peace with his decision and turned his thoughts to dying well.”

A living wake can be a chance to reconnect, tell stories, celebrate life, express gratitude and create meaningful memories with family and friends in a more personal and uplifting way.

At Heavenly Catering, we understand these occasions require warmth, compassion and sensitivity. We are experienced in catering for living wakes and can help create a relaxed and supportive gathering tailored to the wishes of the individual and their loved ones.

If you missed the episode, you can watch it here.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-04/a-year-of-living-gratefully-james-valentine/106640268

04/05/2026

“Karin and her team were absolutely wonderful.

“Nothing was too much trouble and Karin was very flexible in catering to all the different dietary requirements.

“The food was amazing and no one went home hungry.

“I can highly recommend Karin and her team for any event.”

Helen Colonques
5 star Google review

Thank you so much, Helen.

It was a privilege for the team and I to support you and your family at such a meaningful time.

I’m truly glad the food and care we provided helped ease the day a little.

Your kind words mean a great deal to us.

Warmly,
Karin

01/05/2026

A beautiful farewell for a much loved woman.

Joan was honoured with champagne, flowers and a heartfelt gathering at the Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club, a setting that reflected her life and the people she loved.

When Joan passed, her daughter Jen had little experience with funerals and didn’t realise how personal a farewell could be. With the support of Karin Slade from Funerals By Design and Heavenly Catering, she was able to create a send-off that truly felt right.

From planning through to the day itself, and even beyond, Jen and her family felt supported, guided and cared for every step of the way.

A reminder that a wake can be so much more than tradition. It can be a true reflection of a life well lived.

Read Joan’s story here:
https://www.funeralsbydesign.com.au/a-beautiful-farewell-for-a-beautiful-lady-champagne-and-flowers-at-the-bilgola-surf-club-for-joan/

29/04/2026

At a wake, it’s often the smallest details that leave the biggest impact.

From the stories shared to the way a space is styled, these thoughtful touches help reflect a life, not just mark a loss.

✔ Memory tables filled with personal mementos
✔ Favourite dishes woven into the menu
✔ A signature drink in their honour
✔ Guests wearing a colour that meant something to them

These moments stay with people long after the day is over.
What’s a meaningful touch you’ve seen at a wake?

https://www.funeralsbydesign.com.au/10-ways-to-personalise-a-funeral-or-a-wake/

27/04/2026

Ways technology can help you to honour your loved one at a wake.

As more families choose personal ways to celebrate a life, video tributes and live-streamed farewells are becoming a meaningful part of modern wakes and funerals.

Some of the ways we can help you incorporate technology into your wake and funeral include:

✔ Video montages of favourite moments and memories
✔ Live-streaming for those unable to attend
✔ Pre-recorded messages from loved ones
✔ Online tribute pages where family and friends can share photos, stories and messages

These thoughtful additions help bring people together, no matter where they are, and create a lasting tribute for generations to come.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/

23/04/2026

There’s a growing shift in how we say goodbye and beloved ABC broadcaster, musician and author, James Valentine showed us this week just how powerful that can be.

Before his passing, James held a living wake, a chance to gather, share stories, laugh, and connect while he was still there to be part of it. A moment not just of grief, but of joy, reflection and love.

Those who attended described it as beautiful, filled with music, conversation and meaning. A farewell done his way, right to the end.

Read the full story here: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/23/friends-and-former-colleagues-of-james-valentine-mourn-death-of-much-loved-abc-sydney-radio-presenter?utm_source=chatgpt.com

20/04/2026

A story out of Thailand recently went viral when tourists accidentally wandered into a funeral, thinking it was a buffet and were still warmly welcomed and served food.

Because in many cultures, sharing food at a funeral isn’t just tradition. It’s a way of saying thank you. A way of bringing people together. A way of caring for others, even in the middle of grief.

And honestly, that says everything.

At Heavenly Catering, we see this every day. Food isn’t about the menu. It’s about creating a space where people can gather, connect and support each other.

Even strangers.

Because sometimes the simplest act of kindness is offering someone a plate of food.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3342357/thai-funeral-food-court-blunder-tourists-looking-buffet-attend-wake

16/04/2026

For those who loved the outdoors, a traditional indoor wake venue may not feel quite right.

An outdoor wake or memorial allows you to honour their life in a place that feels natural, personal and full of meaning.

We can cater for gatherings in parks, gardens, beaches or private spaces, making the day as seamless and thoughtful as possible.

With years of experience catering on beaches, boats, islands and in parks, we’re fully equipped to handle outdoor events.

Our mobile catering trailer operates as a complete kitchen, and we can also provide staff, equipment and marquees so everything runs smoothly, whatever the weather.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/funeral_venues/outdoors/

14/04/2026

Menu Spotlight: Spanakopita.

Golden, flaky pastry filled with spinach and creamy feta… it’s the kind of bite guests go back for again and again.

Deliciously vegetarian and perfect for grazing tables, cocktail parties or as part of a beautifully curated menu.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/wake-catering/

12/04/2026

No two lives are the same.

So no two farewells should be either.

From colour themes and music to location to personal touches like memory jars and favourite foods, there are so many ways to create a wake or funeral that feels truly meaningful.

We’ve put together 10 ideas to help you personalise a farewell with heart.

Read the blog: https://www.funeralsbydesign.com.au/10-ways-to-personalise-a-funeral-or-a-wake/

09/04/2026

Did you know you can combine a wake with an ash scattering ceremony?

For sailors, surfers, swimmers and those who loved the sea, it’s a meaningful way to bring people together, share memories and farewell someone special in a place that truly reflects their life.

It also allows you to take your time, gathering with family and friends first, then choosing the right moment to scatter ashes when it feels natural and right.

A calm, unhurried way to honour their life, surrounded by the water they loved.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/

06/04/2026

Beautifully Presented. Thoughtfully Prepared.

It’s not just about the food.
It’s about how it’s presented, how it’s shared, and how it brings people together.

At Heavenly Catering, every detail is thoughtfully prepared so your wake feels effortless and meaningful.

https://heavenlycatering.com.au/wake-catering/

Heavenly Catering