Every one of us has a story. A story created from our first breath to our last. We believe funerals aren’t just a place to tell these stories. They’re a place to embrace them. That’s why every service is bespoke, helping you celebrate your loved one’s life the way they lived it. For memories that live on in your head and in your heart.
This is normally a service restricted to solely family, or one where the body or casket is not present. Sometimes families choose a private burial or cremation first, followed by a public memorial service later. If choosing a private service, it is important to remember that close friends may feel excluded from supporting you or grieving themselves - we can discuss this with you and help support you to make the decision that is right for you.
As a special tribute, returned service personnel of countries within the British Empire have the right to have the national flag draped over their casket. They may also have the Last Post, the Ode and Reveille played at their funeral service, and have poppies cast on their casket. For returned service personnel of other nationalities, options can be discussed with the funeral director. For New Zealand returned soldiers, Veterans’ Affairs in Wellington will provide a burial plot or ash plot at no charge in most cemeteries. Reach out to us to discuss whether or not a military funeral is appropriate.
We are here to help you choose and guide the person that you feel most comfortable with, whether it be one of our celebrants, or someone else. All our celebrants are compassionate and experienced and will spend the time required in the days before the funeral getting to know you as a family, and working through the particular wishes you have for the service.
Anyone can lead a service, but people usually choose someone who has experience to keep the service as stress-free as possible. The role of the person leading the service is to guide and manage, ensuring all requirements fall into place at the right time. Those with religious connections may like to choose a minister or priest, or you may choose a funeral celebrant.
Day or night, the choice is yours. The timing of a service at our own facilities is not restricted. We can conduct services from early morning to late evening.
We are fully committed to providing the best possible care for you, and your loved ones. That’s why we can adapt your service to cater to any specific needs.
For hearing impaired, we are able to arrange sign language support. To ensure an inclusive service, we can arrange an interpreter. We also offer live streaming and recording for those who can't attend in person, to ensure that no one misses out on saying goodbye.
It is often the small, funny things that remind us of a loved one. There is no ‘normal’ when it comes to grief, that’s why we love helping people to find special ways to honour their person. Traditional hymns or a DJ dance party, classic floral arrangements or decorations made of lollies, big or small, we will help you to make it memorable.
An order of service can be kept as a memory or keepsake of a special person and their day of celebration. Designing an order of service can be a time-consuming task for families already overwhelmed with all the demands that surround the death of a loved one. We design and print professional orders of service to take the task off your shoulders.
Food and drink is a wonderful way to reflect and share more stories of a loved one. We offer a wide range options to suit your service from morning/afternoon tea to breakfast or dinner, and many of our venues have full kitchens. You’re not restricted to our catering suggestions, you can bring your own food, do a potluck, or even hold a service at your favourite pub or restaurant. Whatever your choice, we can help.