Category: All
Funerals serve the living, so ‘no fuss’ doesn’t help
“I don't want any fuss when I go,” Ewan told his daughter firmly. “Just get rid of me quietly and move on with your lives.” He meant it kindly—a practical man trying to spare his family expense and bother. But when he died six months later, his daughter was distraught. “We've done exactly what Dad wanted,” she said, “but it doesn't feel like enough. We need something to mark his life, to say goodbye properly. Does that make us selfish?”
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What song do you want played at your farewell?
Music has a way of saying what words sometimes can’t. At funerals, a song or piece of music can capture the very essence of a life lived — celebrating personality, values, and memories.
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Funeral to be held for Anahera, baby discovered in recycling
Dignity & Community
Every life deserves to be honoured. Baby Anahera’s funeral reminds us that a funeral isn’t just for family — it’s a moment where a community can gather, acknowledge a life, and say goodbye with love and dignity.
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Caught out at the death
The financial strain of burying loved ones is becoming more evident, say two funeral directors from member firm Grinters Funeral Home.
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A celebration of life
Tracey Brown And Carl Dooley funeral directors at Hibiscus Funeral Services talk about how planning farewells to our loved ones is changing.
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Funeral director discusses rising costs
Funeral director Wade Downey discusses the high cost of funerals and challenges facing the industry.
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Dying proves to be a costly undertaking
Funeral Directors Association chief executive Gillian Boyes said councils’ annual increases in burial and cremation fees were a significant driver of funeral costs.
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Even basic funerals are becoming 'unaffordable'
Funeral Directors Association CEO Gillian Boyes talks to Herald NOW's Ryan Bridge about the high cost of funerals
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Themed funerals - celebrating unique lives
When I talk to families about funeral arrangements, I often hear the same concern: "We want something that truly reflects who they were, but we're not sure what's appropriate." It's a conversation I have regularly, and I understand why families feel uncertain about moving beyond traditional services.
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