Funeral Service $350 - $500

It can be a difficult time coping with sadness and grief and trying to organise a funeral.  I can come to you and hear your loved ones' life story and craft a personalised service that represents who they are. 
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​I try a create a ceremony that captures their essence and has special meaning for family and friends. A ceremony that is about them.  I believe funerals play a very important role to help us cope with our grief and creates a meaningful and relevant way to say goodbye.

I see it as a life celebration. Not happy, clappy but honouring who they were and they unique personality and qualities. We remember them and celebrate who they are and what they meant to us. It is okay to tell the funny stories and remember the good times. It is okay to allow yourself to smile and even have a laugh. It's okay to be real and describe them like they really were. If they were head strong and you could never win an argument with them - it is okay to say that!  It's about being real, its about being true and it is about everyone coming away saying,  "That send off was so him/her! It was wonderful."

​You, the family can be involved as much or as little as you like. I work with you, your vision and your ideas. You can have friends or family give or write the life story ( eulogy), read, sing or what ever you wish. I am also more than happy to officiate the whole ceremony. It is what ever suits you.  

​Memorial Service information is here                    Travel charge for out of Timaru here 

Funeral home or crematorium 

I will work with your funeral home and communicate with them frequently.  It is important that we are  both  kept updated with the latest requirements allowing you to do what you need to for yourself,  family and friends. 

Your home, garden
​or venue

You can have the funeral anywhere you choose to.
Your home, their garden, local community hall or sports venue. I can assist you with as little or as much as you need me too. 

End of life

It is difficult when your loved is nearing the end of their life. You desperately want to spend your time with them but in the back of your mind you are trying to organise what must be done when the time arrives for them to pass. The grief is still the same even when you know what is going to happen. I can  connect with you anytime you wish to discuss the ceremony for your loved one.
Perhaps your loved one or yourself want to tell me their life story in their own words? 
​What ever you need.  I am professional, accommodating, empathetic and caring.

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Do you use a template for your funeral ceremony? 

No! 
​Each ceremony is started with a blank page. We are all unique and individual and there is no one quite like you or your loved one. I try and capture the essence of who there were and thread through all that was important to them. Their hobbies, taste in music, quirks, habits, skills and talents that all make up a person. Let's honour that!

Of course, it takes a long time to write the ceremony starting new each time. This doesn't matter because this as our last chance to farewell them and give them a perfect send-off for you. I see it as a privilege. 

I can source poems or readings and we can include any enactments you which too, or of course you can find your own. Some of the enactments I have been part of so far are singing, live music, blessings, prayers, signing of the casket, dove release, petal or flower placement, guard of honour, demonstrations, videos, balloon release and enjoying a shot of their favourite drink or a piece of cake from their famous family recipe. 
We can combine anything you wish. Let's talk. 

*Thank you to the families for allowing me to share some photos from their loved ones' life celebration/funeral. 

Video  for the funeral of the late Mr Andy Davidson  June 2020. 
​I had the honour to officiate Andy's life celebration at the Caroline Bay Hall  - Cared for by Betts Funeral Services ​​

Let's connect via phone or email to discuss what you need.

I aim to assist you in anyway I can to create a ceremony that is fitting for your loved one.
​The family have enough to deal with and want to know that loved one will represented how they wish. 
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I offer a free no obligation meeting to discuss what you need.