By Staff Reporter

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA – The loss of a loved one is always difficult. For members of the Oromo community living in Victoria, that difficulty is often deepened by a profound sense of isolation. Families may feel far from their homeland, uncertain of the local systems, and unsure where to turn for help .

Yet, no one needs to navigate this time alone. Whether it is practical assistance with funeral arrangements, financial support, or emotional comfort, there are organisations and services ready to help.

Finding Community: The Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria (AOCAV)

One of the most vital resources for the Oromo community in Victoria is the Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria Inc. (AOCAV) . Founded in 1984 by the first Oromo pioneers who migrated to Australia as refugees, the association has served as a cornerstone of support for the Oromo community .

The association understands the significance of traditional rituals and rites of passage, including those surrounding death . When a family member passes, reaching out to AOCAV can provide:

• Cultural guidance – assistance in ensuring that funeral arrangements respect Oromo customs and traditions
• Community support – mobilising the local community to offer practical help and emotional comfort
• Referrals – directing families to funeral directors and other relevant services

Practical Steps: Organising a Funeral in Victoria

When a death occurs, one of the first practical steps is to contact a funeral director . Several funeral directors in Melbourne have experience serving Victoria’s diverse communities.

One prominent provider is Le Pine Funerals, with over 130 years of service in Victoria. They are committed to serving the state’s “diverse and harmonious community, catering to all cultures, religions and traditions” and have a multilingual team ready to assist in arranging funerals in over 140 languages . For families seeking services that specifically cater to multicultural communities, Le Pine Asian offers personalised funeral services with experienced multilingual staff who can accommodate individual wishes and cultural requirements .

Other trusted funeral providers in Victoria include Tobin Brothers Funerals, White Lady Funerals, and Simplicity Funerals .

When choosing a funeral director, it is helpful to discuss cultural or religious obligations. For Oromo families, this might include the desire for a burial as opposed to a cremation, specific rituals, or the need for a service conducted in the Oromo language or with an interpreter .

Financial Assistance and Practical Support

Funerals can be expensive . However, there are avenues for financial support.

Centrelink Payments – Services Australia provides several payments to help people after the death of a loved one . Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a Bereavement Payment, a Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment, or bereavement assistance for carers .

If a person passes away without family or the means to pay for a funeral, the Victorian State Government has arrangements in place, with the Department of Health and Human Services potentially contributing .

Grief and Emotional Support

Beyond the practicalities, the emotional toll of losing a loved one is immense. Several national and state-based organisations offer free grief counselling and support.

• Lifeline – 24-hour crisis support: 13 11 14
• Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement – Provides information on grief support and offers counselling services: 1800 642 066
• Grief Australia – Offers free bereavement counselling and support groups for all Victorians at their Mulgrave office and various locations, as well as telehealth services
• Grief Line – Telephone or online counselling: 1300 845 745
• Mensline Australia – Telephone support specifically for men: 1300 78 99 78

For those who have experienced the loss of a baby or child, Red Nose Australia provides specialist bereavement counselling and support free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week .

Wombat’s Wish is a grassroots not-for-profit organisation based in Clifton Springs that offers free therapeutic weekend grief programs and one-to-one counselling for children and young people who have lost a parent or carer .

Real Path Health and Wellbeing in Werribee specialises in trauma-informed counselling and grief and loss support for individuals and families, including multicultural communities .

Additionally, spiritual and pastoral support from faith communities is often a vital source of comfort for many in the Oromo community .

Specialised Support for CALD Communities

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. (Foundation House) has received substantial funding to provide the Program of Assistance for Survivors of Torture and Trauma, which supports people from CALD backgrounds who have experienced trauma, including grief related to displacement and loss .

A Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do

If you are an Oromo family member in Victoria, here are the steps to take :

1. Connect with your community – Reach out to the Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria (AOCAV). They can provide cultural and practical support.
2. Contact a funeral director – Choose a funeral director that respects your culture, such as Le Pine Funerals, which has experience with diverse communities. Discuss your needs: burial, specific rituals, and the need for an interpreter.
3. Inform Centrelink and seek financial assistance – Notify Services Australia by calling 132 300 and ask about the Bereavement Payment and other benefits.
4. Seek emotional support – Call a grief support line. Services like Lifeline (13 11 14) and the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (1800 642 066) are available and confidential.

Key Contacts

Sources: Advocacy for Oromia, Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria, Grief Australia, Lifeline, Red Nose Australia, Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.

Disclaimer: This article provides a general guide only. Readers should seek professional advice for their own particular situations.

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