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At 30, he leads NZ’s funeral directors - and he’s nothing like the stereotype

Meet Bradley Shaw, the 30-year-old breaking stereotypes as he steps into the role of President of the Funeral Directors Association

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What happens to people who die without any relatives to bury them?

When someone dies with no family or friends to claim them, who steps in — and what happens next? 

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Grief at Christmas: It’s OK to feel deep emotions

This thoughtful article explores why Christmas can intensify emotions and bring memories or sadness to the surface, and highlights that you’re not alone if the holiday season feels hard this year.

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Funeral home reunites families with unclaimed ashes, but over 800 still in storage

Did you know some funeral homes still have hundreds of unclaimed ashes dating back many decades?

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Xmas blog
Grief during the holiday season

If you’re finding it difficult, you’re not alone. Grief doesn’t follow a calendar, and there’s no ‘right’ way to navigate the season when someone you love has died. I’ve found that what matters is finding ways to move alongside your grief rather than against it.

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Meet the country's youngest ever NZ Funeral Association president

The average thirty-year-old doesn't spend their working hours thinking about death, but Bradley Shaw is not your average thirty-year-old.

He's just been made President of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand -- its youngest president ever.

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Symbolic rituals in funeral services – creating meaning in farewell

Rituals are symbolic activities that help us, together with our families and friends, express our deepest thoughts and feelings about life's most important events. We have rituals for the birth of a baby, a coming of age, weddings and, finally, funerals, which serve a fundamental purpose—they provide the framework for processing loss.

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Whakatane local becomes youngest ever Funeral Directors Association President
Whakatane local, 30-year-old Bradley Shaw, has become the youngest ever President of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand. Mr Shaw, who began in the funeral profession when he was 16 year… Read more
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A dinosaur themed farewell for an 8 year old

Kāpiti Coast Funeral Home recently helped create a truly special farewell for eight-year-old Ryder. His dinosaur-themed funeral featured a Jurassic Park soundtrack, a dinosaur-covered casket, and even a heartfelt haka performed by a man in a T-Rex costume.

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