Question 1

What should I do when a family member has died?

Accepted Answer

The first thing to do is Inform close family and friends about the passing. You might like to ask someone you trust to do this. Depending on how or where they died, there are a few processes that need to be handled. These include attending to immediate practical matters like funeral arrangements, obtaining death certificates and addressing financial or legal concerns.
If you are unsure at any time, please contact our Funeral Director Charlie McKenzie on (022) 635 6405 or email: charlie@sifunerals.co.nz.(mailto:charlie@sifunerals.co.nz) Charlie will help you with any queries in a caring manner.
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Question 2

What are the first tasks of the Funeral Director?

Accepted Answer

When a loved one has passed, we ask if the family can give us a call.

We often get a call from the Rest-home or Hospice or Hospital to confirm that someone has died.

We will arrange for the transfer into our care once the GP or Nurse Practitioner has been to confirm the passing.  Sometimes (during a long weekend etc) the GP or Nurse Practitioner will ask us to transfer the person into our care and they will come and visit when they are free. In the era of Covid, during some levels the GP will not visit a rest-home, but they will arrange a visit to the Funeral Home.

Once we have the loved one in our care we usually wash and dress them and place them in their casket. If the person is not for embalming then we usually have them in our temperature controlled facility until their cremation day.

We will meet with families and discuss what options they want in terms of funeral services and other paperwork will need to be completed.  If family are out of town we can also send paperwork via email.

Once we have all the necessary documentation we will forward this to a Medical Referee (who is also a Doctor) who will examine the paperwork and if they are satisfied will issue us with a permit or 'Permission' for the cremation to take place.

Depending on the service that the family have decided on, we will work in the background to put everything together.

After the service we will arrange for a Death Certificate to be issued (through Internal Affairs).

This is a very basic overview of what happens, but we are more that happy to assist you with any questions that you have.

Please contact our Funeral Director Charlie McKenzie on (022) 635 6405 or email: charlie@sifunerals.co.nz.(mailto:charlie@sifunerals.co.nz) Charlie will help you with any queries in a caring manner.

Question 3

What information does a Funeral Director require?

Accepted Answer

When a family or friend notifies us about a death, we will usually ask for the following information; The name, phone number and contact details of the person phoning us or the person who will be our main contact throughout the funeral process.  We will also ask about the deceased, their name, where they are, their address etc.
At the Funeral Arrangement we will also ask for information so that we are able to register and order a death certificate. If families can have the deceased parents and marriage details this will be helpful.

Question 4

Why is a coroner involved?

Accepted Answer

In the case of a sudden or unexpected death, an accidental death or if a doctor is unavailable, a coroner will be called in to establish cause of death. Usually a post mortem or autopsy will take place where the deceased's body is examined by a pathologist. If the coroner decides to hold an inquest, this usually takes place several months after the funeral and funeral arrangements will proceed as normal.

Question 5

When can the Funeral be held?

Accepted Answer

Provided there are no legal impediments, the funeral usually takes place within three to seven days following death. It may be necessary to wait a little longer if family overseas need to travel to New Zealand.

For a Funeral that will be delayed we can have a long-term embalm to enable families to have an open coffin at the funeral service or visits by family before the Funeral day.

Question 6

How much notice do you need to organise a funeral?

Accepted Answer

We understand that often there is not enough time to plan a funeral, especially in the case of a sudden death. Please call our Funeral Director as soon as possible, so that we can assist you with all of the arrangements.

In most cases we are able to provide a funeral service within the wishes of the family. Contact our Funeral Director Charlie McKenzie on (022) 635 6405 or email: charlie@sifunerals.co.nz.(mailto:charlie@sifunerals.co.nz) Charlie will help you with any queries in a caring manner.

Question 7

Can we have our loved one at home?

Accepted Answer

We always offer this option to families. Whether it's just for a few hours or a few days, we believe that having your loved one at home helps many families begin the healing process.

Question 8

Who conducts the Funeral Service?

Accepted Answer

Anyone is able to officiate at a funeral. Archway Funerals can recommend a number of professional celebrants or you may prefer to have a friend or family member conduct the service.

For a Simple Cremation, if the family requests a prayer, reading or a poem before the cremation, Archway Funerals will carry out these wishes.

Question 9

How do I choose a casket?

Accepted Answer

One of the major costs of any funeral is the casket.

At Archway Funeral Services we offer the option of a simple cremation casket, lined on the inside and finished on the outside in the style of a traditional casket, your loved one is placed in a tastefully finished casket. The outer casket is removed prior to cremation. All Archway options include a name plate, cross or other symbol, and a "Rest in Peace" or "At Rest" sign for each casket on request.

Question 10

What is the cheapest option for a cremation in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Direct Cremation
A direct cremation is generally the lowest-cost method of disposition. A direct cremation is when the deceased is immediately cremated, with no service, and the cremated remains are directly returned to the family or scattered.

Question 11

How much does it cost to be cremated in NZ?

Accepted Answer

Cremation Costs
As an example, according to the Auckland City Council the cost of an adult cremation at a council crematorium is $650 There are additional costs for services on weekends and public holidays.

Question 12

What happens if you can't afford a funeral NZ?

Accepted Answer

The deceased's estate generally pays for any funeral expenses. In many cases though, there may be insufficient funds and family members will have to contribute financially. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the person who makes the funeral arrangements and signs the paper work to pay for the funeral.
WINZ states “We may be able to pay a Funeral Grant of up to $2,445.37 if the estate of the person who has died can't pay. This money can be used for costs such as: professional services for preparing the body for cremation or burial (eg embalming)”

Question 13

Can you be cremated without a coffin?

Accepted Answer

While you will need to choose an appropriate container for the cremation process, nothing dictates that it must be a casket. The choice is entirely a matter of expense and preference.

Question 14

How do you say goodbye when there is no funeral?

Accepted Answer

Set up a ritual for remembrance
It can be big or small and include other people or not, Perhaps Say a prayer, create a memory book, sing a song, plant a tree, or do something else that feels meaningful.

Question 15

How much is a basic funeral in NZ?

Accepted Answer

Approximately $10,000.

The average cost of a funeral in New Zealand is approximately $10,000¹, but only 5% of New Zealanders have pre-planned their funerals². So who will be left with the bill? Whether you choose to have a cremation or burial, a simple service or traditional ritual, the associated costs may be more than you expect.

Question 16

What factors influence funeral prices?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your personal style and your family’s needs, these are the most common factors that will contribute to how much a burial or funeral will cost:
 • Religious, ceremonial or family requirements
 • Being buried or cremated
 • Cost of a burial plot if being buried; including digging, casket, headstone, transportation, and council fees
 • Cost of an urn, flowers, and funeral director
 • Where and when the funeral or memorial service is held
 • If food and drinks will be provided for mourners after the ceremony 
 • Other costs such as newspaper notices and death certificates.
 • Also, the day of the week. Estimated costs from online quotes and websites suggest burial fees in New Zealand jump significantly for funerals held on a public holiday ($1,033) as opposed to a weekend ($362).

Question 17

Funeral expenses breakdown

Accepted Answer

When it comes to organising a final farewell, there may be more considerations for your family at the time of planning than you first thought. Creating a funeral that honours someone’s life may present the following estimated expenses.

These are averages and the estimated total costs associated with a funeral. Actual cost will depend on the decisions made by the family.

Question 18

What is happening in the Funeral Home industry at the moment?

Accepted Answer

Vist our BLOG pages and you will see comments on what we think is happening in our indistry at the moment.

Click to go to our BLOG page.

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