Simplicity Funerals provide a helping hand to seriously ill Tasmanians at John Opie House

Often families that require emergency accommodation close to major treating hospitals don’t have time to pack the essentials. This is where Simplicity Funerals is helping Fight Cancer Foundation provide ‘Welcome Packs’ to get families through their first few days. We speak to Shirley from Simplicity Funerals about their commitment to supporting seriously ill Tasmanians through John Opie House.

How did you first come to be involved with John Opie House?

I came into contact with John Opie House through a family who was staying there, and found themselves in need of a Simple and affordable funeral arrangement.

I realised that this was an amazing work and arranged to meet Samantha, and offer some assistance.

How are you partnering with Fight Cancer Foundation’s John Opie House to support seriously ill Tasmanians and their families?

We are offering simple, hands on, support to John Opie House by providing welcome hampers and other simple needs, when they arise.

As a funeral provider Simplicity Funerals offer people who stay at John Opie House a simply affordable funeral option. We understand that people may be overwhelmed, without transport, without family support and are strangers to Hobart.  We want to offer people who stay at John Opie House support and ensure that they are given a helping hand, as well as a substantial discount should they find themselves in need of the services of a funeral director.

What made you decide to support John Opie House?

We, at Simplicity, understand that “simple things matter.” We can see that John Opie House meets a community need on the simplest, most basic level by providing safe, affordable, emergency accommodation to the families of critically ill cancer patients. We saw that Simplicity could lend a hand, by providing a welcome hamper.

What is the process for providing hampers on arrival to new guests staying at John Opie House?

Simplicity provides ten welcome hampers to John Opie House, every second month.

What sort of items make up the hampers you provide?

Shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap.

What do you hope the support you provide will do for people staying at John Opie House?

We hope to provide a feeling of community spirit that says, “Things are bad right now, but there are people who care.”