About us

Meet the team

Our caring, down-to-earth team is here to support you with genuine compassion, clear guidance and deep respect for your wishes.

We take a family-led approach by listening closely, offering honest advice, and helping you create a farewell that feels personal and meaningful.

We treat every loved one as we would our own, with dignity, respect and compassion.

We are proud to be a locally owned funeral home and to walk alongside you during this important time.

Tony Hope Owner | Funeral Director

More about Tony

Over 40 years ago, Tony's parents, Richard and Dorothy Hope, founded Hope Family Funerals after experiencing firsthand how stressful and impersonal farewells could be. Tony joined the family business nearly 20 years ago, continuing their legacy of care, respect, and personal choice.

“What I enjoy most,” Tony says, “is helping families navigate what can be an overwhelming time, and seeing them begin to find comfort and peace as we work through all the arrangements together. Every farewell should reflect the wishes of the person we are honouring, and we make sure it does.”

Outside of work, Tony enjoys spending time with his family.

What our families have said about Tony:
“Tony Hope is such a lovely and gentle person to deal with. When my husband passed away his questions were soft, understandable and most of all we as a family didn’t feel that we had to say anything, except briefly answer them. Tony did it all in a very professional and caring manner. He made it so easy for us so that we did not feel any burden. Hope Family Funerals are the best that I have ever experienced.”

- Suzanne and family

Oliver Marriner Manager | Funeral Director

More about Oliver

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

Elise Williams Funeral Director

More about Elise

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

Eva Wolf Funeral Director

More about Eva

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

Kayla Webster Administration

More about Kayla

Kayla joined the Hope Family Funerals team in July 2025, bringing her warmth, energy and quick-learning skills to our admin team.

Originally from Hamilton, Kayla spent just over a year living overseas with her family before returning to New Zealand and settling in Tauranga. Since joining us, she has quickly proven herself. Not only through her excellent administrative work but also with her friendly, approachable nature that brightens everyone’s day.

Kayla’s dedication and positive attitude make her a valued part of our team. On her days off she likes to volunteer and spend time with family and friends.

Grant Wright Funeral Director

More about Grant

Grant is a valued, contracted Funeral Director and celebrant, whom we can call on to support families during busy times.

Having spent more than eight years as a Pastor of a Tauranga Baptist Church, and as a Hospital Chaplain, Grant brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and a calm presence to the families he supports.

A lifelong Tauranga local, he enjoys exploring New Zealand in his campervan with his wife, Sharon, as well as spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Karin Zijp Administration

More about Karin

Karin is originally from Namibia and moved to Cape Town after school to further her studies. After 11 years in South Africa, she relocated to New Zealand in 1999 and settled in beautiful Tauranga in 2021.

With her background in accounting and finance she finds it deeply meaningful to support families during a difficult time, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes with care and compassion.

Outside of work, Karin enjoys spending time with family and friends, and relaxing with her animals on her avocado orchard — her happy place.

Grace Edwards Embalmer | Funeral Director

More about Grace

Grace Edwards is our Head Embalmer and Body Care Team Lead who, together with her team of committed apprentices, provides the highest level of care, dignity and aroha for our deceased loved ones. Body care is especially important when families wish to have their loved one at home or at the marae.

Beyond her body care work, Grace also supports Māori whānau during their time of deepest loss, guiding them through what is involved and what is needed.

She says about her role: "It has its challenges, but most importantly, it has its rewards and this type of reward hits directly in the heart."

OWNER OF HOPE FAMILY FUNERALS

Tony Hope

"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."

Our story

Our family funeral home 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 endeavour to give your loved one the send-off that they as individuals would have wanted.

Our premises

In 2019, Charlemagne Lodge and the surrounding premises on 2A Loop Road in Te Puna were purchased by Hope Family Funerals. The lodge is well known in the community as an iconic Victorian style building full of old-world charm, recycled kauri, rimu, leadlight windows and detailed fittings. Although it appears to be 100 years old, it was built in the late 1990’s by skilled craftspeople.

The plans we had for the property were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, in 2022, we began renovating the site, adding a mortuary and upgrading the Totara Lounge, which is now used for funerals.

We have enhanced the property’s existing charm by adding new features and building on what was already here, including a café-style outdoor seating area, a licensed bar, additional parking, and extensive garden improvements.

While its purpose has evolved, the property’s charm remains intact. It continues to host celebrations, now focusing on honouring and celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed.

We are proud to be a member of the New Zealand Independent Funeral Homes (NZIFH), a network of locally owned and operated funeral homes throughout New Zealand, committed to the highest standards of care, ethics and professionalism. As an NZIFH member, we adhere to a strict code of conduct and are dedicated to providing personalised, transparent and compassionate service to every family we support.

If you would like to talk to one of us, ask a question or start planning, please call (07) 543 3151.

Or get in touch online. We are here for you whenever you need us.