Funeral Planning
Funeral planning
We are here to walk you through the journey of losing a loved one supporting you in saying goodbye in whatever way feels right for you and your family. Whether it is a simple cremation or burial, a full service, or something in between.
Our approach is family-led: we prioritise your needs and wishes, and help shape a unique, heartfelt farewell that reflects your values, preferences and budget.
Cremation or burial
Choosing between cremation, traditional burial or natural burial often depends on personal, cultural, financial or religious preferences. We are here to talk through the options and help you find what feels right for you and your family.
Legal documentation
Your funeral director will liaise with doctors, Coronial Services, medical referees, ‘Births, Deaths and Marriages’ and cemetery staff to carry out the necessary legal procedures and arrange the legal paperwork for cremation or burial.
Service vs. no service
Some families choose to hold a funeral service to honour their loved one with a meaningful gathering, while others prefer a simpler farewell without a service. There is no right or wrong. It is about what feels most appropriate for you.
Transportation
We have a range of Jaguar hearses to transport your loved one, as well as an Indian Chief Motorcycle hearse for the motorcycle enthusiasts.
Body care
Hope Family Funerals has been leading the way in caring for loved ones in a natural and low-impact way. We do this by using a temperature-controlled room, which gently slows down the natural processes—similar to the effects of embalming, but without the use of chemicals. This approach also preserves your loved one’s natural colouring and complexion.
For those returning home or to a marae before the service, we can carry out traditional embalming to help slow nature’s process. We provide respectful, dignified care, which can include bathing, dressing, hair care and makeup if appropriate.
Your funeral director will help guide you through the options and create a body care plan that feels right for your family.
Viewing
The last moments with your loved one can be as important as your first. Viewing them after they have passed away and cared for can help create a peaceful and intimate farewell. It can also help provide closure. We have facilities at our funeral home for you to spend time with your loved one prior to saying goodbye. We can also arrange for your loved one to spend some time at the family home.
Caskets and urns
You are welcome to come and visit us at our funeral home in Te Puna to view our full range of caskets and urns.
We have a simple direct cremation casket if the family do not wish to have a funeral. This casket can also be used as a liner for a traditional casket, giving you the option to hire a casket instead of purchasing one, which can help to keep costs down while still giving your loved one a more traditional looking casket for the funeral.
An urn hold the ashes of your loved one after cremation, offering a meaningful and lasting tribute. We offer a wide range of urns in various styles, sizes and materials— from classic wood and ceramic to contemporary metal and biodegradable designs. Whether chosen for display at home, burial, or scattering, the urn you select can reflect your loved one’s personality and the way you wish to remember them.
Newspaper notices
Your funeral director can work with you to create a newspaper notice that is unique to your loved one. We can then help post this notice to your choice of various digital and printed newspapers.
Things to gather
Personal details
Part of our service is to apply for the death certificate with Births, Deaths, and Marriages on your behalf. They require specific personal details about the person who has passed. These details are outlined in our personal details and funeral wishes form. Information such as your loved one's parents’ names and occupations, their children's ages and their relationship details are required.
Clothing
If you wish for your loved one to be changed into different clothes, we are more than happy to help. Please provide the outfit for your loved one to be dressed in, including undergarments. This could be an outfit special to them, such as a uniform, suit or even just something cozy that they loved to wear. If they are to be cremated, shoes and leather belts will not be required as they are prohibited items for cremation. If you are going to spend some time with your loved one prior to the farewell, it is helpful for our staff to have a recent photo of them. This will help them to prepare your loved one to look just as they did prior to passing.
Photos
Gathering photos is an important part of planning a funeral service These may be used for a framed photo, the service sheet and a photo reflection slideshow.
You may choose to start collecting photos before your loved one dies, as a meaningful trip down memory lane, or afterwards as part of the grieving and remembrance process. Taking time to reflect on these special moments can be both comforting and healing, and may even create new, precious memories as you prepare to say goodbye.
To ensure everything is ready in time, we kindly ask that photos be provided at least 48 hours before the service.
Music, lyrics and poems can help create a meaningful and personal farewell. You will typically need music for the beginning and end of the service, to play in the background before and after the service, and for the photo reflection slideshow. Your funeral director can help select and prepare songs that reflect your loved one’s tastes, beliefs or special memories. Poems or lyrics can also be included in the service or service sheet to honour their life in words.
Tell us about your loved one
We love to hear about your loved one, what they were passionate about and their interests, hobbies, favourite colours, flowers etc. This helps us to personalise the service so that it truly reflects who they were.
Need to arrange a funeral now? We are here for you.
We are available 24/7 to gently and clearly guide you through the next steps.
Call us on (07) 543 3151 or get in touch online.