About Us
About Willow Tree Funerals
Willow Tree Funerals was founded by Bruce Missen in Hurstville — with a single purpose: to serve the families of Sydney's south, Wollongong and the Central Coast with the care, dignity, and compassion they deserve.
Our Mission
A Truly Personalised Experience
We support families on their journey as they bid a final farewell to their loved ones. We craft meaningful remembrances that honour the distinct values, character, and traditions of each family we serve.
This is not only our passion, but also our purpose and our promise — to provide a truly personalised experience. We guarantee this commitment to excellence in every way.
Est. 2018
Our Story
Meet Bruce Missen
Bruce Missen is the Managing Director and Founder of Willow Tree Funerals. Currently completing his Certificate IV in Funeral Services, Bruce is registered through ASIC as a Funeral Director and Funeral Home operator. He established the business in Hurstville in 2018 with a single vision: to create a funeral home that felt genuinely different from the corporate chains that dominate the industry.
Bruce's Catholic faith is at the heart of everything he does. He understands the profound importance of the Requiem Mass, the comfort of scripture, and the role that faith plays in helping families find peace in the midst of grief. He works closely with parish priests across the Archdiocese of Sydney, and is trusted by clergy and families alike. Willow Tree also arranges secular and non-religious services, including celebrations of life, for families of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Over the years, Bruce has guided hundreds of families through their most difficult moments — from sudden, unexpected losses to peaceful passings after long lives well lived. His approach is always the same: patient, honest, and deeply personal.
In 2025, Willow Tree Funerals expanded to a second location at Macquarie Links, bringing the same standard of care to families across South West Sydney — including those choosing the new MacArthur Memorial Park at Varroville.
Call Our Family Care Specialists"I believe every person deserves a farewell that truly honours who they were. That is the promise I make to every family I serve."
Who We Are
Serving Families Is Our Passion
Whether you're planning a funeral or cremation service for a loved one, or making your own arrangements in advance, meaningful life celebrations begin with our compassionate funeral and event planners.
For Willow Tree Funerals, there is no greater honour than helping to remember a life lived. We are dedicated, local professionals committed to getting every detail right, every time. We achieve this by listening, caring for, and guiding each family who entrusts us with their loved one's service.
It's why we've become a trusted part of the community we serve, and why families consistently appreciate our exceptional care.
Attention to Detail
When someone we love passes, it's not the big things we miss most. It's all the irreplaceable little things that made them special. It's the details that matter to you — and also to us.
What the Willow Tree Stands For
The Willow Tree gives us hope, a sense of belonging, and safety — the ability to let go of pain and suffering and grow new, strong, and bold. It is our path to stability, hope, and healing.
Every Detail Remembered
At Willow Tree Funerals, we believe that the most personal memorial services are the ones that leave a lasting impression. It's the small, wonderful details that made your loved one truly special.
Our compassionate team understands the importance of these details and how they can create a truly unforgettable farewell.
We are also knowledgeable about the funeral and interment customs of various faiths and cultures, ensuring that we can help plan a tribute that honours these traditions. Whether you prefer a traditional funeral service or a celebration of life, we will guide you through every step of the arrangement process.
A Timeless Legacy
For Future Generations
A permanent memorial site provides a meaningful space for family and friends to come together, reflect, and cherish memories. Whether you prefer burial or cremation, Willow Tree Funerals works with many cemeteries throughout Sydney to offer a wide range of beautiful and enduring remembrance options.
Each memorial park celebrates the diverse legacies of various cultures, backgrounds, and heritages, offering a serene resting place for loved ones amidst diverse natural environments.
Supporting Our Community
At Willow Tree Funerals, we are deeply committed to supporting our communities and giving back during life's most challenging moments. Our programs are designed to provide comfort, honour, and hope to individuals and families in need.
Through partnerships with national nonprofit organisations, we aim to make a meaningful impact by addressing grief, celebrating life, and promoting well-being across communities.
We proudly assist with International Women's Day, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, monthly Dinner with Dignity for those in need, and supporting women who experience miscarriage.
View Community EventsOur Values
What We Stand For
Genuine Compassion
We believe funeral care is a calling. Every family we serve receives our full attention, our genuine care, and our unwavering commitment to their wellbeing.
Faith & Dignity
Rooted in Catholic faith, we bring reverence and spiritual depth to every service. We honour the sacred nature of death and the promise of eternal life.
Honest Transparency
We provide clear, itemised pricing with no hidden fees. We explain every option honestly so families can make informed decisions without pressure.
Community Roots
We are a local, independent funeral home — not a corporate chain. We are deeply invested in the communities of Hurstville, St George, and South West Sydney.
Professional Excellence
Bruce holds all required NSW funeral director registrations and maintains the highest standards of professional practice, preparation, and care.
Always Available
Death does not keep business hours. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — and when you call, our team answers.
Our Locations
Two Locations, One Standard of Care
Whether you are in Hurstville or South West Sydney, Willow Tree Funerals is close to you — and we will always come to you.
Hurstville
St George & Sutherland Shire
118 Durham Street, Hurstville NSW 2220
Established 2018
Macquarie Links
South West Sydney
Macquarie Links NSW 2565
Established 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
No, there is no legal requirement to hold a funeral in Australia. However, there are rules about handling your loved one's body, such as burial or cremation. If you have specific wishes about not having a funeral, make sure to communicate them clearly to your loved ones or executor. Funerals serve multiple purposes, and one of the most important is to provide a meaningful way for loved ones to say goodbye and begin the healing process.
The choice between burial and cremation depends on personal, cultural, or religious preferences. Burial involves interment in a grave or vault, while cremation reduces the body to ashes. Consider factors like cost, environmental impact, and the deceased's wishes when deciding. Our Family Care Specialists are happy to guide you through the options.
Funeral costs vary widely depending on services chosen (e.g., burial vs. cremation). Typical expenses include caskets, urns, venue hire, and professional fees. To find out more and to plan ahead, contact Willow Tree Funerals today on 02 8776 1667.
Essential documents include the death certificate and any pre-arranged funeral plans or wills. Registration of death with the state's Births, Deaths and Marriages and a cremation certificate are also mandatory before proceeding with arrangements. Willow Tree Funerals will journey with you through the process of all necessary paperwork.
Yes, Willow Tree Funerals can work with you to customise your loved one's service to meet your specific rituals, music, readings, or cultural elements to reflect the personality and preferences of the deceased. This can include adding your loved one's favourite colour, playing a song that they loved, and so on.
Most definitely! At Willow Tree Funerals, we provide beautiful and cost-effective services, regardless of your religious views. We can customise a service that meets your needs and budget requirements.
Most definitely! Willow Tree Funerals specialises in Catholic Funerals. Our Requiem Masses meet all the requirements as outlined by the Catholic Church. We also conduct many other religious services, including Orthodox, Maronite, and other Christian denominations. We work closely with our families to ensure everything is just perfect.
Customised funerals is what we do best! Nearly every funeral we do is bespoke in design. We see every person as unique, so why should their service be any different? We will work closely with you to ensure a completely bespoke service that meets all your needs, in order to honour your loved one's life and legacy.
Of course. Sometimes the unfortunate happens when your loved one passes away a long way from home. Our professional team can make all the arrangements to bring your loved one home. We take care of all the paperwork, transfers, and everything else — so you need not worry about a thing. You focus on healing, and we'll take care of the rest.
Of course we can! Our highly trained team can make all the necessary arrangements to repatriate your loved one to anywhere in the world. We take care of all the paperwork, certificates, flight bookings, and more. Our job is to do all the heavy lifting so you can spend more time with family.
Ready to Speak with Our Family Care Team?
Our Family Care Specialists are available 24 hours, 7 days a week — call any time.