Meet Our Team

Tom Dooley | Owner & Director

Tom has 20 years funeral industry experience including holding the position of General Manager of NSW’s largest funeral business where he was responsible for the operation of over 70 funeral homes.

Prior to the funeral industry, Tom held senior management positions within the hospitality and events industry where he was responsible for the staging of some of the largest and best known sporting and entertainment events throughout Australia.

Since 2002 Tom has owned and operated funeral homes in Victoria and NSW. During this time he has been active within the funeral industry including, holding the positions of State President and National Councillor with the Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA). Tom is active in the Grace business and he is also a highly regarded funeral Celebrant.

Tom does the majority of Grace Funerals public speaking presentations.

Asha Dooley | General Manager

Asha joined the family firm in 2013 following a 10 year management career within the hotel and events industry in the USA, UK and the Middle East.

Asha is responsible for the day to day operations of Grace Funerals where she is actively and closely involved with our client families. Drawing upon her event experience Asha has introduced many innovations to the service offerings at Grace particularly those utilising the latest technology.

Asha has quickly developed a reputation within the Australian funeral industry for her original thinking and in 2015 she won the highly coveted annual AFDA Scholarship for her presentation of “Wow Funerals- the Future of Funerals”. Her prize was a study tour of the USA where she met and interacted with leading funeral professionals while learning of the latest trends.

Asha is active with the funeral industry, she is a currently the President NSW Division of the AFDA; Junior Vice President of the National Council and a National Councillor.

Asha is also sought after for her training skills and she regularly develops and presents webinars and training sessions for other funeral directors and their staff.

Katie MacDougall | Funeral Operations Coordinator

Katie MacDougall brings a wealth of experience in events to her role as Funeral Operations Coordinator at Grace Funerals. With a passion for creating meaningful experiences, Katie approaches funerals with the same attention to detail and personalisation that she once applied to events, ensuring each service is a unique and heartfelt tribute.

What drew Katie to the funeral industry was the opportunity to support people through one of the most challenging times in their lives. She finds deep fulfilment in helping families honour their loved ones in ways that truly reflect their individuality. Through her work, Katie has come to appreciate just how unique every person’s story is, and she takes pride in crafting services that capture their essence.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Katie’s role is working with families who return to Grace Funerals, placing their trust in her once again. Knowing that she has provided comfort and care during their time of need, and that they feel supported enough to return, is a testament to the impact she has.

Katie is also known for her creativity in personalising funerals, particularly in designing bespoke coffins that tell a story. From wrapping a coffin in the colours of a beloved football team to incorporating artwork painted by the deceased, she loves seeing how these personalised touches spark conversations and bring people together in remembrance.

With a compassionate heart and a keen eye for detail, Katie ensures that every family she works with feels heard, supported, and able to celebrate their loved one in a way that is truly special.

Louise Lathouwers | Funeral Director

Louise joined Grace Funerals in September 2016 after a range of roles within the hospitality and events industry.

With a rich background in the service industry and a passion for supporting others, Louise found her calling in the funeral industry—a place where she could combine her experience, compassion, and problem-solving skills in a meaningful way. Every day brings new learning opportunities, and she thrives on the challenges and rewards that come with helping families through difficult times.

What Louise loves most about her role is the privilege of hearing people’s stories. Each family she meets has a unique journey, and she finds great fulfilment in ensuring that every farewell reflects the individuality of the person being honoured. The heartfelt thank-you cards, kind gestures, and moments of relief she sees on families’ faces when a service goes just as they hoped—sometimes even better—serve as a constant reminder of the impact she makes.

Before working in funerals, Louise never expected how much the role would teach her—not just about grief, but about music, art, poetry, and the joy that exists even in farewell moments. While funerals are deeply emotional, they are not morbid or dark; instead, they play a profound role in helping families begin their grieving journey with meaning and connection.

One of the most common questions Louise hears is, “Is it appropriate to play this song at a funeral?” Her response is always simple: “Did they love it? Do you love it? Then yes!” Music is deeply personal, and she encourages families to make choices that reflect their loved one’s spirit.

One of Louise’s favourite aspects of her role is creating photo slideshows for families. Transforming their memories into a beautifully polished presentation that can be revisited for years to come is something she takes great pride in. Not only does it provide a lasting tribute, but it also saves families from the stress of navigating the technical side of things during an already overwhelming time. The gratitude she receives for these simple yet powerful keepsakes is one of the many reasons she loves what she does.

Melanie Hamshaw | Funeral Director

Melanie became a Funeral Director to combine her passion for helping people with her strong organisational skills. For her, this role is the perfect balance of providing emotional support to families while also ensuring every detail of a service is carefully planned and executed. From guiding families through the arrangement process to being present on the day of the service, Melanie finds immense satisfaction in making a difficult time a little easier for those she serves.

One of the aspects she loves most about her work is the variety—no two days are ever the same. She appreciates the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on people’s lives by delivering personalised, respectful, and heartfelt farewells. Helping families understand their options and guiding them through the process with clarity and compassion is something she takes great pride in.

Before joining the funeral industry, Melanie was unaware of the extensive paperwork, regulations, and procedures required behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Now, she understands just how much care and diligence goes into every step of planning a funeral.

One of the most common questions she receives from families is whether a loved one is cremated in their coffin. Melanie always reassures families that NSW Public Health Regulations require that both the coffin and the deceased remain together throughout the cremation process.

A moment that stands out in Melanie’s career is hearing families express their gratitude for the Grace Funerals team’s professionalism, care, and attention to detail. Knowing that she is part of a team that helps people through such a challenging time is incredibly fulfilling, and she is grateful every day to work alongside such dedicated and compassionate colleagues.

Kate Harrison | Funeral Director

Kate joined Grace Funerals in 2019, bringing her compassionate and dedicated approach to supporting families through one of the most challenging times in their lives. She takes great pride in ensuring that each service runs smoothly, offering reassurance and guidance when it is needed most.

For Kate, the most rewarding part of her role is knowing she has made even the hardest days a little easier for the families she works with. She understands that grief is deeply personal, and she approaches each funeral with care, treating every loved one with the same dignity and respect she would want for her own family.

One of the biggest surprises for Kate when she joined the funeral industry was the amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into preparing for each service. From ensuring every detail is in place to handling the logistics seamlessly, she appreciates the effort that goes into making the day as stress-free as possible for the family.

When asked how she does this job, her answer is simple: “I remind myself that everyone we care for is someone’s loved one, and I try to treat them with the same kindness and respect I would want for my own family.”

For Kate, some of the most touching moments come from the small things—whether it’s a quiet act of service that provides comfort or a heartfelt thank you from a family who felt truly supported. Knowing that she has made a difference, even in the smallest way, is what makes her work so meaningful.

Sheena Richards | Funeral Conductor/ Mortuary Staff

Sheena chose to work in the funeral industry with a deep desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. She understands that grief is deeply personal and unique to each individual, and she felt drawn to offering support, care, and respect to families navigating such a significant time. Being able to provide comfort in these moments is what makes her work so rewarding.

For Sheena, the most fulfilling part of her role is being a steady presence for families during one of their most vulnerable times. Whether she is coordinating a service or working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, she takes great pride in knowing that her work helps bring a sense of dignity, respect, and comfort to those who need it most.

Before joining the industry, Sheena didn’t realise just how much of a funeral director’s role is about creating a safe space for families to grieve. She now sees first hand how important it is to give people the time, support, and reassurance they need to honour their loved one in a way that feels meaningful to them.

When asked how she does this job, Sheena says “I’m able to do this work because I know families need support. It is an honour to provide that care and guidance when they need it most.”

Sheena is also deeply appreciative of the strong sense of teamwork within the funeral industry. She values the trust and respect shared among her colleagues, and she believes that the work they do is a collective effort. Supporting grieving families is not something that can be done alone—it takes a dedicated team to bring everything together, and Sheena finds great purpose in being part of that

Natasha Swanston | Funeral Administrator

Natasha has always had a strong interest in the funeral industry, but like many, she initially found herself on a different career path in hospitality. Her passion for supporting people in meaningful ways led her to apply at Grace Funerals —and she has loved being part of the team ever since.

For Natasha, the most rewarding aspect of her role is being able to support families during one of the most challenging times in their lives. Every day presents a new opportunity to help create a meaningful and comforting experience for those in mourning, and she finds deep fulfilment in knowing she plays a part in this process.

One of the things that surprised her most about funerals is just how fast-paced the process can be. While arrangements are incredibly intricate and require great attention to detail, they also follow a demanding timeline. Seeing first hand how the Grace team works seamlessly to ensure everything is handled with care and precision has only deepened her respect for the industry.

A question she is often asked by families is, “How do you do this job every day?” Her response is simple: “I do it for the families.” Each funeral is as unique as the person it honours, and Natasha considers it a privilege to witness both the grief and the celebration of a life well-lived. Many people might be surprised to learn that funerals can also be filled with moments of warmth, inside jokes, and joyful remembrance, allowing families to cherish the happy times they shared.

One experience that has stayed with Natasha happened during her first week at Grace Funerals. As she stood beside the hearse, a grieving woman gently reached out and grabbed her arm for support. In that quiet moment of reflection, all she needed was a simple human connection—someone to hold onto. Natasha instinctively placed her other hand over hers in silent reassurance, offering comfort without words. It was a small but profound moment that reaffirmed why she chose this path—to be there for people when they need it most.

Samantha Smith | Funeral Director's Assistant/ Mortuary Staff

Samantha joined the funeral industry with a deep desire to care for others and support families through one of life’s most difficult moments. Finding her passion in mortuary work, she is dedicated to honouring and celebrating lives with dignity and respect.

What she loves most about her role is the opportunity to celebrate life. Every day, she is reminded of the uniqueness of each individual and takes pride in being part of a team that helps create meaningful and personal farewells for families.

One of the biggest surprises Samantha encountered in the industry was just how personal funerals can be. From custom-designed coffins featuring cherished family photos to replacing traditional petals with sweets for someone with a sweet tooth, she appreciates how a farewell can truly reflect the person being honoured.

Samantha is frequently asked why she chose to work in the funeral industry, and says she takes immense pride in providing a compassionate service and ensuring families feel supported through every step of the process.

A moment that stands out in Samantha’s career is assisting families in dressing their loved ones before a funeral. She believes this can be a profoundly healing experience, offering families a final act of love and care. Being able to support people through these deeply personal moments is what makes his role so meaningful.

Samantha brings dedication, compassion, and a strong commitment to helping families create the perfect send-off for their loved ones.