Your guide to planning a funeral
Before the funeral
Plan a funeral that honours your loved one and meets your family’s needs with this guide to arranging a funeral.
What happens when someone dies?
When you lose someone you love, it can be hard to know what to do. Here are some simple guidelines. We’re also always here to support and advise you and help make funeral arrangements stress-free.
Why funerals matter
Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be one of the hardest things you’ll ever experience. That’s why it is so important to take the time to celebrate their life and grieve for your loss.
Planning a funeral
We’re here to help you plan a funeral that honours your loved one and meets your needs. We’ll help you understand your options and take care of all the details, so you can spend your time with family and friends
Caring for your loved one
Once your loved one is in our care, we care for their body with great respect and gentleness. Their dignity is always our concern.
Spending time with loved ones
Spending time with your loved one’s body after they have died can help you with your grieving process because it helps acknowledge the reality of their death.
Arranging the details
Burial or cremation
Your loved one may have told you their wishes for their body. In New Zealand, four options are available: burial, cremation, burial at sea or donation to medical science.
Cemeteries & crematoriums
A guide to crematoriums, cemeteries and burial grounds in Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, Waimakariri and Selwyn
Choosing a casket
Our range of caskets and urns includes traditional hardwoods, lightly oiled natural timbers, painted and themed caskets. We also offer a wide range of eco-friendly caskets.
Reflecting your culture & values
Honouring your culture
We honour all cultures and all religions. Our team has extensive experience working with different cultural groups, and as our city grows ever more diverse, we work to extend our cultural understanding.
Eco-funerals
Eco-funerals in New Zealand are imperfect, because of our lack of natural cemeteries and alternatives to cremation, but there are things you can do to minimise your funeral’s impact on our planet.
REPATRIATION
Take your loved one home. We can help with repatriation worldwide and to all parts of New Zealand.
NEWSPAPER NOTICES
You may wish to place a notice in the newspaper to let friends and colleagues know that your loved one has died, and when their funeral will be.
We're here for you
If you need our help following the death of a loved one contact us any time of the day or night.
Christchurch (03) 379 9920
North Canterbury (03) 327 7499