Meet the Team

Our relaxed and dedicated team are here to help you and your family celebrate your loved one's life in a truly memorable way.

They are here to help you when you need it, and to support you through this journey.

Manager | Funeral Director

Oliver Marriner

Although born in Cambridge, Oliver was raised in Norfolk Island with his family, and moved back to New Zealand in his teenage years. He then became a qualified builder before settling in Tauranga with his wife Alex (nee Hope). It was from this union that he was introduced to the funeral industry and came to appreciate what a privilege being a funeral director is. “I especially enjoy meeting people who come to pre-plan their funeral. It is a real privilege to get to know them, and to listen to their life story. Although sad, it is an honour to be able to carry out their wishes and organise a funeral that truly reflects that person and what they would have wanted.” He enjoys spending his down time volunteering, and wakeboarding on one of New Zealand's beautiful lakes.

What our families have said about Oliver:

“Thank you for your guidance and support of us through our bereavement. Oliver was a wonderful person to work with and showed genuine empathy and understanding. We are very grateful.”

- Bennett family

Funeral Director

Dean Hughes

Dean spent his younger years in Tauranga, before moving across to the Waikato, and later returning to Tauranga in 1987. He has spent most of his career in banking as a Senior Commercial Manager, but has always had an interest in helping families. This opportunity came to him in 2022 when he started working with the Hope Family team. “What I enjoy is taking the stress out of making arrangements, and seeing the family start to relax when we work through all of the details. We really do provide a professional, compassionate, respectful, and bespoke service for each and every family.” He has always had a keen interest in sport, along with a good glass of wine. He has been married to his wife Lynda for over 32 years, with two adult children, Emma and Michael.

What our families have said about Dean:

“Dean could not have been more helpful and compassionate. He quickly understood the dynamics of the situation, especially related to the nature/ age of my friend’s passing along with the very young family he had left. Dean gave good options and advice - he was keen to deliver what was right for the family, and I cannot thank him enough for the support he provided at a particular difficult time. Dean managed flawlessly to arrange every single wish, from the music requested, to one of the best celebrants I have ever seen – he was ever so attentive. He treated the deceased with dignity which gave the family great comfort – it actually felt like it was a friend helping us, rather than a business.” - Fil M

Funeral Director

Elise Williams

Elise was raised in Arataki, Tauranga, with a background in beauty therapy. This, along with her Bachelor of Social Work has added real value to her role as a funeral director. “I love learning about the loved one’s back story, and the influence they had on the people around them. It is a beautiful thing to see family and friends come together and look after each other.” In her quiet time, she likes to draw and paint.

What our families have said about Elise:

“Thank you for the beautiful way you handled our mother's funeral arrangements. You were very sympathetic, compassionate and respectful of our mum and also of us as a family and we are very grateful for that.”

– Hunt family

Funeral Director

Eva Wolf

Eva is from The Netherlands, but spent her primary school years in Tauranga and moved back here with her own family in 2019. She has always had a passion for connecting with people and making a difference in their lives. After spending several years in various communication roles, she found herself drawn to a new opportunity in 2024: joining the Hope Family team as a Funeral Director. Combining her empathetic nature with her strong communication skills, Eva thrives in guiding families through the process of arranging meaningful and personalised farewells for their loved ones. "I find it incredibly rewarding to help ease the burden on families during such a difficult time," she shares. Outside of work, Eva enjoys spending time with her family and friends, yoga, gardening and savouring good food.

What our families say about Eva:

“The whole Hope family are absolutely amazing, they were thoughtful, courteous and caring. A huge huge thank you to Eva who looked after Mum with such a loving personality and who truly cares, absolute credit to the family.”

- Turnbull family

Funeral Director

Lydia Burney

Lydia, originally from the UK, moved to New Zealand in 2005 and settled in beautiful Tauranga in 2022. She has a background in the disability sector, hairdressing and IT. Her desire to care for people is evident in her career choices. "I feel privileged to care for and connect with loved ones and their families. It brings me great satisfaction to offer a personalized service that honors their cherished memories, and brings solace to the family. I also feel privileged to assist families to bring their loved ones home to Tauranga, or return them home, both in New Zealand, and overseas." Lydia likes to spend her spare time with her cats, hiking, volunteering, and immersing herself in a book or computer game.

Administration

Alex Marriner

Alex was born and raised in Pyes Pa, Tauranga with parents Tony and Lisa Hope, and younger brother James. In her younger years she found a passion for Equestrian, in particular dressage, which lead her to represent New Zealand in her teenage years. When her father started Hope Family Funerals with his parents, it became a special opportunity for her to join the team and become a part of a cause that helps so many at a difficult time. “It is really important to me to make families feel comfortable when they make that first call…to know that any question is welcome, and that we are here to make them feel safe and respected. To then work alongside the funeral director and family to bring the funeral arrangements together and make a real effort to go the extra mile, brings true satisfaction in my role.” In her spare time, she likes to volunteer, go for walks with her border collie Harley, and join her husband Oliver on the lake wakeboarding in summer.

Tony Hope

OWNER OF HOPE FAMILY FUNERALS

"I am proud of the special place we have here to celebrate the life of loved ones, and of our relaxed and dedicated team working hard to assist families at a sad time in their lives. We are excited to share the new premises with the public and to welcome families here to say goodbye to their loved ones in a beautiful and relaxing space."

The family funeral service started about 40 years ago when Dorothy Hope’s dad passed away.

He loved his garden, loved coffee and was happiest in his gardening clothes. He always said, ‘When I die, just give me a cup of coffee and put me on the compost heap.’ Obviously this did not happen, but back then the funeral director talked the family into having him embalmed, dressed in a suit and laid out in a fancy coffin. It just wasn’t him. The whole experience was stressful and disheartening. The family felt pressured into making quick decisions.

Dorothy and her husband Richard thought there must be a better way. Individuals must be able to have the farewell they want, with their wishes respected.

Since then, the funeral home has helped many friends and family members in a dignified, compassionate way, and at an economical cost. Families really appreciate the care, respect, and dignity the Hope team provide.

Richard, Dorothy, and their son Tony founded Hope Family Funerals on these values, which are held to this day. The Hope Family team endeavor to give your loved one the send off that they as individuals would have wanted.

Our Story