Funerals

A Funeral is Not a Day in a Lifetime; It is a Lifetime in a Day While Balancing Laughter, Tears and Memories

Funeral Service 

Location: Aoraki Funeral Services Waimate

Coping with sadness and grief while organising a funeral can be incredibly challenging, and I'm here to provide support.

As a celebrant, I collaborate closely with families to craft a funeral ceremony that embodies the vision, ideas and values of their loved one.

I sincerely appreciate listening to their stories and memories and weaving them into a beautiful and personalised ceremony. 

This time spent with families is special and humbling to me.

I believe funerals are critical in helping us cope with our grief and make a meaningful and relevant way to say goodbye. I create a ceremony that captures their essence and has meaning for family and friends. 

If going through a funeral home, the funeral director or yourself will contact me to see if I am available.
Fee $450 ~ $550* If through a professional funeral home they will include my fee in their invoice.

If it is private family arranged service an invoice will be issued prior to the service. Payment required in full within 7 days from person who made contact. It will not be part of the estate billing sent to the lawyers.

Funeral Location

A funeral involves the presence of the body. You can have your funeral ceremony wherever you or the funeral director can travel with the casket. 
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• ​Funeral home / chapel 
• Crematorium
• Your home or garden
• Your loved ones home or garden
• Community hall or sports venue
• A hotel, golf club, or club
• Council grounds /beach (Note that permission from the local council is usually required, and the funeral director will arrange this.)

The Funeral Ceremony

The ceremony is the day's centrepiece, and I'm here to make that happen.

You can include friends or family to share memories, readings, songs, or even dances—anything that holds meaning for you.

The ceremony will be tailored  to your wishes, ensuring you have complete control and genuinely reflect your desires and preferences.

The Ceremony

The Day of the Funeral

I understand that this can be an emotionally and physically draining time, and you may feel like you're running on empty, taking care of yourself, getting some rest, and having a meal before the funeral is essential.

Location: Betts Funeral Services

I'm here to support you in any way I can, helping you navigate this challenging period and ensuring the ceremony is conducted as smoothly as possible.
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• I will arrive at least 30 minutes before the funeral ( Often I am an hour early)
• When you and the family arrive, I will check in and confirm the family speakers. You can stay in a private family room until it is time to start or meet people as they come. 
• I can either stay with you for support or make myself useful elsewhere, whichever you need on the day.  

We'll work together as a team to ensure a professional and beautiful funeral ceremony. The service order will be well-coordinated between myself and the funeral director. 

I'll liaise with the funeral director to give them the run sheet so they know when to play music, display photo shows, videos, and more. They'll also manage the timing for refreshments, bagpipes, or any other enactments to ensure everything runs seamlessly.​

Let's have a cuppa and an obligation-free chat

During this challenging time, I aim to provide you with all the assistance you need.

I'll offer gentle guidance and support to you and your family with empathy and professionalism throughout the farewell process.

​We'll craft a meaningful and personalised ceremony, ensuring your input is valued and included.

I'm here for you and am more than happy to arrange a free, no-obligation meeting to discuss your needs. Please don't hesitate to reach out. Connect with me.