Embalming
Embalming preserves and presents your loved one for the duration of the funeral service. It is a medical procedure that supports dignity and makes viewing a more positive experience. It is not required for all arrangements, and our team can advise whether it is appropriate for your situation.
Viewing
Spending time with someone who has died can be an important part of coming to terms with the loss. We gently support families who want this time, whether that is at our funeral home or, in some cases, at home. There is no obligation, and there is no right or wrong approach – only what feels right for you.
Burial or Cremation
This is usually the first decision to make, as it affects the documentation required and the options available to you.
Cremation is the more common choice in Christchurch. We work with both Harewood and Canterbury Crematoriums, and both venues offer families the option to hold the complete service and cremation in one place. The ashes can be returned to you, scattered, or placed in a memorial garden — and this decision does not need to be made straight away. We will give you the time you need.
Burial involves selecting a plot in a cemetery of your choice. We can advise you on local options and costs. The headstone is something families often return to at a later stage — it is common to hold a small ceremony when it is placed, often around the one-year anniversary.
If your loved one expressed a preference in their will, your solicitor or executor will be able to confirm this.
The Funeral Service
A funeral service gives family and friends a place to gather, to remember, and to mark the end of someone's life together. It does not need to follow a set form. Some families want something traditional. Others want something entirely personal. Most want something somewhere in between.
We will ask you about the person – their life, their personality, the things that mattered to them. This will help you build a service that reflects who they were. There is no template for a good farewell. There is only what feels right for your family.
Celebrant/Clergy
We work with experienced celebrants who can lead a non-religious or humanist service, and we can connect you with a minister if you would like a religious service. If you already have someone in mind, we are very happy to work alongside them.
Music
Music can shape the whole feeling of a service. We can arrange for a musician — an organist, piper, or soloist — or we can play recorded music of your choosing. Let us know what your loved one enjoyed, and we will help you work out what fits.
Photo Tributes and Audio Visual
A photo tribute is a collection of images set to music and played during the service. This has become one of the most meaningful parts of many funerals. We can produce one for you using photos you provide, or you can create your own and send us the final version at least 24 hours before the service.
Our facilities also support live webstreaming for family and friends who are unable to attend in person. A private link is provided so the service can be shared with exactly the people you want to include.
Service Sheets
We offer a full range of service sheets, designed in-house to reflect your loved one's life. You will be sent a proof to review before anything goes to print, and we will not proceed until you are satisfied with how it looks.
Flowers
We work regularly with Victoria Florists, who offer fresh, carefully composed arrangements and personalised service. You are welcome to request their flower catalogue through our team.
Memorial Books & Death Notices
A memorial book gives guests the opportunity to write messages or share memories — something families often return to in the weeks that follow. We can also assist with the wording and placement of a death notice in any New Zealand newspaper.
Ashes & Final Resting Place
Knowing what to do with a loved one's ashes is something many families take time with, and that is completely understandable. Options include scattering at sea, burial in a garden or cemetery, or placement in the memorial gardens at Harewood or Canterbury Crematoriums. We also offer a selection of Urns or Scatter Tubes, and Keepsake Jewellery if you would like to keep something close.
There is no rush to decide. We will be here to help whenever you are ready.
After hours support
We are available on 03 379 0196, around the clock. If a loved one has passed away outside of business hours, we can talk you through the next steps and make arrangements to bring them into our care.