About
About Mornington Peninsula Funerals
Now gently supported by Natural Grace Holistic Funeral Care
Mornington Peninsula Funerals was created with a clear and heartfelt intention: to offer gentle, personal funeral care to local communities—care that feels familiar, accessible, and grounded in compassion.
Founded by Andrew Ternes and Julie Davey, whose backgrounds span funeral care, the medical profession, and service industries, the vision was simple yet profound: to create a space where people feel truly held during tender times of loss. While working with a larger Melbourne provider, Andrew often heard the same quiet question: Where is my loved one now? It was a question born from love - a longing for closeness, understanding, and local care that felt deeply connected.
That longing became the foundation for something meaningful: a place on the Peninsula where people could be close to their loved one before the final farewell. A place where each life could be honoured in a way that feels true - whether that’s by the sea, in a local hall, or at home.
With time, care, and quiet dedication, the Dromana facility was gently brought to life. Today, it continues as a place of stillness and grace, where people are met with dignity, compassion, and presence.
Now, Mornington Peninsula Funerals continues its devoted work as part of Natural Grace. While our name and familiar team remain, we are quietly supported by the deeper values of Natural Grace - offering end-of-life care with reverence, warmth, and a commitment to authenticity.
Together, we walk alongside those we serve - never rushed, always here - offering continuity, care, and the gentle reassurance of being truly supported.
In November 2023 we were awarded a score of 90%+ earning us a 'Highly Commended' in the highly contested Professional Services category of the Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards.
Mornington Peninsula Funerals
Our team
We have a wonderful team of experienced staff who assist with our day to day operations.
Whether they are manning the reception desk, attending funerals or working behind the scenes, they are all dedicated to serving our client families in a professional and courteous manner.
ANDREW TERNES Manager
Andrew has owned and operated service-based businesses most of his life, and appreciates the importance of providing excellent customer service.
He loves helping people and hearing the many interesting stories that families have to share about their loved ones’ lives.
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Family and Community life
Andrew is married to Julie, has two daughters and a step dog. He served for four years on the board of The Attitude Books Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping build resilience in young children.
Andrew has been a Bass player in blues bands for more than 45 years and until launching Mornington Peninsula Funerals, he and Julie are members of McCrae Yacht Club.
SAMANTHA STANDFIELD
Sam is a compassionate and professional funeral director, new to our team, who brings with her a wealth of knowledge in supporting families who wish to provide home based death care for their loved one.
Family and Community life
Sam's photo and story will appear here very soon. In the meantime, you can see Sam providing beautiful support for families in our funeral home or out at any of our services.
JULIE DAVEY
Julie's background in general hospital and district nursing held her in good stead to help families through the difficult time surrounding the loss of a loved one. She has stepped back from general day to day funeral work and provides assistance behind the scenes, to her husband Andrew and the MPF team.
Family and Community life
Witnessing her Dad, Bruce, manage a terminal illness with optimism and determination – attitudes that helped him and the entire family cope with his cancer journey – Julie became inspired to write a series of books for children to guide and assist them to become more resilient, and to make the most of every day and every situation. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and distributed throughout Australasia and she has given hundreds of personal development talks in Primary schools.
Julie has also contributed many presentations for libraries and Probus meetings across the Peninsula and country Victoria, on the topic of Positive Thinking for Health and Happiness.
MICHAEL ROBERTS
Michael worked in management for several corporate food and beverage companies over 30 years until he sought a career change in 2015.
Appointed as State Operations Manager for a large funeral company in Melbourne, he was soon responsible for running eleven funeral homes within the group. With his caring and compassionate nature, and excellent communication style, Michael is well suited to assisting families during their time of need and we are indeed fortunate that he has chosen to join our team at Mornington Peninsula Funerals.
Family and Community life
Michael is married and has two children, a daughter and a son. He also has two granddaughters and loves spending time with them. Michael enjoys playing tennis, keeping fit and socialising with family and friends.
DAVID CARVER
David has held customer facing roles all his adult life, working in New Zealand, England, and Australia. For the last 20 years he was a director of a successful creative media agency, providing marketing services to blue chip multinationals.
A focused, uncritical listener David is empathetic and accommodating. Unobtrusive and observant, he has the life skills and experience to assist in the smooth, seamless running of each occasion.
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Family and Community life
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David moved from Melbourne to the Peninsula in 2019 in a refreshing sea-change.
He has a daughter who lives in Sydney and a son in Melbourne. He enjoys the relaxed lifestyle of the peninsula, and as a relatively new resident loves exploring the region. He is active in club level motorsport and with the watchful supervision of his cat Megs, can usually be found tinkering with his old car in the garage.
Funerals Vehicles
Our hearse is a beautiful, high roof, V8 Holden.
We also have a new Toyota van fully dedicated to the safe transport of loved ones from place of passing, to our care facility in Dromana.
