Pre-planning
Many people choose to plan their funeral in advance. It is a thoughtful decision that eases the emotional and practical burden on loved ones.
Pre-planning allows you to:
Most importantly, it offers peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of, so you can focus on enjoying life with the people who matter most.
Speak with us
Our funeral directors are here to guide you through the pre-arrangement process with care and understanding. They will help document your wishes, offer thoughtful suggestions based on your preferences and provide clear information about costs.
We are happy to meet you wherever you feel most comfortable, whether that is in your home or at our funeral home. If you visit us, you are welcome to view the Totara Lounge and explore our range of caskets in person.
There is no charge or obligation for pre-planning with us. It is just a relaxed, friendly conversation to help you feel informed and supported.
Personal Details and Funeral Wishes Form
If you prefer to do some planning yourself, you are welcome to request our personal details and funeral wishes form.
This form allows you to document your wishes in advance, so you can advise the executor of your will what you would like to happen when the time comes. You are also welcome to provide us with a copy of your wishes to keep on file.
Funeral Trust Account
Funeral Trust Account
If you would like to set funds aside for your future funeral arrangements, we can help you open a funeral trust account. These funds are held securely in an independent account with BNZ, managed by an independent trustee.
You can contribute up to $10,000, which is currently exempt from the Rest Home Asset Criteria. This means the funds you set aside in a funeral trust account will not be counted as part of your assets when applying for government rest home subsidies.
Setting up a trust account ensures that some or all of your funeral costs are covered in advance, helping reduce financial stress for your family.
To apply, simply get in touch with us. We will provide the necessary forms and let you know what valid ID is required to certify before opening the account. We also recommend speaking with one of our funeral directors first, who can offer a cost estimate based on your wishes.
If you would like to learn more, please contact our team.
Funeral planning workshops
Our team often holds workshops about funeral planning. Talking you through what is involved and answering any questions you may have. If you would like us to hold a workshop for your group, please get in touch with us at info@hopefunerals.co.nz or 07 543 3151.
Free Funeral Guide
We have put together a free funeral guide to help families get started in their funeral planning process. To have a free guide posted to you, please send us your details.