The first steps when someone dies
A doctor will need to sight your loved one and complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. This is a legal requirement, and it can feel unfamiliar and clinical at a difficult moment. We can explain what to expect and guide you through it.
We can come to you, sit with you, and talk through everything at your pace — including a no-obligation estimate.
Burial or cremation
Often, the person who has died will have expressed a wish. Where they have, we help carry it out. Where they have not, we help you choose — without judgment, and without rushing.
Burial gives families a dedicated place to return to. It involves choosing a burial plot, an interment fee, and usually a memorial or headstone. Burials take place in official cemeteries or Māori burial grounds, and we will guide you through every requirement.
Cremation offers more flexibility in how and where you choose to remember. Ashes can be buried, scattered, or kept — and a plaque or memorial can still provide a focal point for family. We collect the ashes on your behalf, and they are typically ready within 48 hours. We also offer a considered range of urns, if you would like to see them.
Viewing the body
Saying goodbye to your loved one is an important part of grieving. Spending time with the deceased helps us come to terms with the death and the reality of the loss. You may wish to have your loved one at home for some time before the service or spend time with them at our funeral home.
Embalming
If there is a delay before the service, or your loved one needs to be transferred to another city or country, embalming may be required. It is carried out by experienced, qualified staff — and your loved one is treated with complete respect and dignity throughout.
When we meet
Once your loved one is in our care, we will arrange a time to meet - at our funeral home, or at your home, whichever feels right for you. It helps to bring:
Any personal items you would like placed with them
A recent photograph, so we can ensure their hair and presentation is just as it should be
Photos for the service sheet or memorial presentation, if you have them
A draft of the funeral notice
Details needed for the death certificate
The funeral service
A funeral should feel like the person it is for. We will help you shape a ceremony that reflects who they were and what they meant — and we will take care of every arrangement so that on the day, you can simply be present.
You could start considering options such as:
Celebrant/Clergy
Music and Musicians
Service Sheets
Flowers
Memorial Books
Death notices
Audio/Visual Presentations – Photo Tributes / Live Web Streaming
Hearse & vehicles
We have two hearses - one white Kia Carnival and a black Chevrolet Caprice.
