Our People
Ann Graham
Owner/Director
Director of Graham Family Funerals, Ann has been involved in funeral services for over 25 years. Graham Family is the only female-owned funeral home in Tasmania. Ann is committed to providing excellence in funeral services in the most modern funeral home in the state.
Paul Graham
Proprietor/Director
Paul commenced as a funeral director in 1990. Starting as a funeral attendant at the age of 18 Paul became a qualified embalmer at 22 before becoming a member of the Australian Institute of Embalming. Following the sudden death of his father Peter in 1995, Paul began funeral planning and conducting.
His principal role to this day is to be the first contact for families when arranging a funeral for their loved one. His passion is to deal with all aspects of funeral care in a dignified and professional manner. He maintains that the first step in preparing a funeral is to talk to someone who will do as you ask, and is someone you can trust. Paul strives to be this person to all families.
Paul currently holds the position of Tasmanian President of the Australian Funeral Directors Association, and membership of the National Executive of this peak industry body. Paul is also a member of the Moonah and Glenorchy Business Association. In 2009, he was made an honorary member of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, which is an order dedicated to helping people in need.
Greg Hudson,
New Norfolk Funeral Director for Graham Family Funerals
Greg has represented Graham Family Funerals in the Derwent Valley for over 20 years. He has lived in the Derwent Valley his whole life and recognises the importance of local personalised funeral service care. Greg is available at a moment’s notice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He offers families the flexibility of arranging funerals at his offices in High Street New Norfolk, or in the comfort of their own home.
Greg also believes in post funeral care and he is always available to talk after a funeral has been conducted. Greg ensures that people realise they have his continued support – and many respond to this and take the opportunity to discuss how they are coping.
Greg has been a member of the Lions Club in New Norfolk for 27 years and is on the board of Management at Corumbene Nursing Home. For over 20 years he was involved in the board of management at St Brigid’s School, and is a life member and former president of the New Norfolk Football Club.
Alex Gjocaj,
Funeral Director/Embalmer for Graham Family Funerals
Alex began his career in the funeral service industry at Graham Family in 1993 and then opened his own funeral home – Gjocaj and Clark. Following Harry Clark’s sudden passing Alex returned to Graham Family Funerals in 2009 and now utilises the support of our staff and facilities to carry out any pre paid funerals and prearranged funerals that were arranged for families while his company was operating. Alex is a qualified embalmer and the Tasmanian coordinator of the Australian Institute of Embalming. He is also a member of the British Institute of Embalmers and has over 16 years of funeral and mortuary experience. Alex is a member of Blake Emergency Services and has been called overseas to assist with embalming after a disaster.
Alex has a strong relationship with the Greek community of Hobart and continues to be their funeral director of choice.
Louise (Kemp) Heaslip
Funeral Director for Graham Family Funerals
Louise commenced working with Graham Family Funerals in 2005 and now oversees our administration and reception. Her approach to funeral care reflects the warmth of her personality. She recognises the importance of the individual touches required in order to personalise your funeral. Louise offers a special kind of support to grieving families. She has obtained extensive knowledge of the grieving process given her membership, training and education within the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement having completed the following courses:
- Working With Families and Grief 2009
- Supporting Bereaved and Grieving Adults 2009
- Engaging in Single Session Grief and Bereavement Support 2009
- ACS Grief Counselling BPS209 2010
- Living Hope Suicide Bereavement Program 2011
Sandy Trajdos
Huon Valley Funeral Director for Graham Family Funerals
Sandy grew up in the Huon Valley as a child, and she returned to be part of the local community in 2004. She has a great appreciation for the Huon Valley community, establishing the popular Franklin Valley Café and Do Dilly Dally Gift Shop. Sandy joined Graham Family Funerals in August of 2009. Sandy is proud to be given the responsibility to provide considerate and caring funeral services in the region.
Sandy is available to residents in the Huon Valley 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Her office is conveniently located at 3426 Huon Highway Franklin, or she can be called upon to arrange funerals in the privacy of your family home.
John Freeman and Noel Sargent
Graham Family Life Trust prepaid funeral plan Consultants
John and Noel are our principal consultants in pre-planned and pre paid funerals incorporating Graham Family Life Trust prepaid funeral plan. With over 10 years of industry experience John and Noel are able to use their professional understanding in order to complete pre paid funerals or prearranged funerals on your behalf.
John and Noel maintain the importance of their role by ensuring the utmost professionalism for prearranging a funeral that addresses your personal wishes within your financial budget. Their knowledge, advice and understanding of all aspects of prearranged and prepaid funerals will alleviate both the financial and emotional burden of what is a very difficult time.
Helen Watling
Follow up Bereavement Care
Helen joined Graham Family Funerals in 2009 to address the need for bereavement services that help individual family members struggling to come to terms with life after the loss of their loved one.
Helen provides a unique service and brings years of experience as a Centrelink, Department of Veteran Affairs and Legacy worker. She also holds the position of Justice of the Peace – a role that allows her to assist families to lodge documents that government departments and financial institutions can require after the loss of a loved one.
As a part of Helen’s position she will provide a sympathetic ear in the months following the passing of a loved one. If further assistance is required Helen can assist by giving details of elected and qualified counsellors of bereavement care.