Chat with Angelique Soomery, owner of the new business Last Journey Seychelles   ‘I believe that everyone deserves the very best final farewell’   |19 August 2021

Angelique Soomery

Seychelles NATION spoke to Angelique Soomery, an entrepreneur who is venturing into a new business ‘Last Journey Seychelles’. She launched her business on August 15 in memory of her late step-father Joe Chung-Faye. Talking to her, we felt that she is doing this business from her heart and Angelique believes that “your loved one’s funeral service should be as unique as they were. We offer a genuine approach during your time of grief, helping you to make the right arrangements. Our aim is to create a beautiful last journey for your loved one.”

Seychelles NATION: Please tell our readers who is Angelique Soomery?

Angelique Soomery: I grew up in the District of English River and went to school in the same district. Then I headed to the National Youth Service following which  I joined the School of Business Studies at the then Seychelles Polytechnic. I had the opportunity to learn about accounting and management and the scope for work was bigger. I joined work at the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation and then moved on to other jobs.

I come from a family of four – two sisters and one brother. My dad is in construction and my mum was a nurse. I am married for 23 years and have two children – one 22 years and the other 18 years. Both our children are still studying.

Seychelles NATION: When did you join the business world?

Angelique Soomery: It was in 2000 that I joined my mum in her business. She bought a shop called Marie-Claire. Five years ago my mum decided to stop managing the shop and I took over, thus seizing the opportunity to rebrand it as Angie’s Collection. The shop is still operational and I opened another shop ‘Zanfan’ at Bois de Rose and Ste Claire’s Building. But due to Covid we had to close the one at Ste Claire.

Seychelles NATION: How did it all start?

Angelique Soomery: I attended my first funeral when I was in P5. My friend lost her dad and a few of us went to support her. At that time, the body was exposed at home. That night I was a bit scared to sleep but then when my grandfather passed away, his body was also exposed at home and it was overnight. I realised I was not scared and got over all my fears. I have to give credit to one of my aunts, Patricia, also known as Miss Aly. Many things I know now, I learnt from her. She organised all the funerals discreetly and also taught me what to say and not to say in these times.

Seychelles NATION: What is Last Journey about?

Angelique Soomery: (very emotional) After losing a few dear family members over the years, and planning their funerals, I have experienced both dealing with grief and having to be strong enough to make funeral arrangements. I appreciate the importance of both: needing to grieve, and just having someone to take over and coordinate during these times.  I believe that everyone deserves the very best final farewell, and their ceremony should reflect who they were, what they loved and should really be a celebration of their life. In your moment of grief, I really hope to provide help, support and guide you and your family in the decisions you make.

Seychelles NATION: How do you help the grieving ones especially in this pandemic period?

Angelique Soomery: Automatically, with the different experiences, I find myself helping the grieving ones. This gave me both the heart, and the experience for my job. I have created this small business in honor of my departed loved ones, and to honour other people’s loved ones. People will ask me what is your package? I do not have any package. As a funeral planner, my main role is to guide you and your family in making decisions and arrangements for the funeral. Important to me, is taking great care and time to listen to you. I get to know your loved one, ensure that the ceremony is a genuine reflection of their personality. Let’s remember them the way they would have wanted to be remembered, and let’s create a beautiful send-off and last journey for them, together. I would like to tailor-made each funeral and we will work with your budget.

Seychelles NATION: What are the basic services you offer?

Angelique Soomery: 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 does anything possible within our resources and capabilities, according to your budget and preferences, to create a heartfelt farewell ceremony. Our services include: booklet design and printing, flower arrangements, funeral parlour/church décor, funeral coordination, sending flowers and cards to loved ones, vehicle hire, transport arrangements, audio-visual arrangements, additional ceremonies and events, such as wakes, ash scattering ceremonies, collection of cremated remains, keepsakes and remember me corners, refreshments, hot meals delivered to your home after the funeral and anything the client wants. Whatever I do is from the heart and I want people to celebrate the lives of their loved ones properly without any worries. That is my purpose!

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 is still new and already before the launch Angelique organised two funerals and one of her client told her “I do not know what the stress of a funeral is”. Her first client expressed openly “Such a great initiative that I've experienced firsthand. I was so touched when you offered your services! SOMEBODY actually cared about all the logistics that comes with funeral planning!! I felt really blessed at my time of bereavement and you just made everything so easy, natural and special! Thank you so much. Your description of the purpose of your business is totally true. Much blessings and success!”

Last Journey is on social media and Instagram and Angelique Soomery can be reached on 2 500 144 or by email lastjourneyseychelles@gmail.com

Vidya Gappy