Cleveland Funeral Home has a long and proud history of caring for the community of Wanganui and surrounding districts since 1907. We are situated at 173 – 179 Ingestre Street Wanganui.
Originally established by F Syme the company has always been owned by Wanganui families. Craig & Laura Cleveland purchased the funeral home in 1994. Since this time they have grown and nurtured the company to reflect their philosophy of providing an environment of care, respect and cultural understanding based on family values. The beautiful gardens and character buildings all lend themselves to supporting a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere of care.
Craig was born and raised in Whanganui and began funeral directing here in 1987. He is Whanganui’s longest serving funeral director and holds the highest qualification available to funeral professionals in New Zealand - the National Diploma in Funeral Services. Craig has been a member of Rotary since 1994, served on various community boards, and has entertained the Whanganui community with his musical talents, for most of his life. He was made a JP in 2015. Craig's additional role of funeral celebrant has added another high level of service that he can offer to families at Clevelands.
Craig along with his wife Laura purchased the company in 1994 and together have grown and molded it into the locally owned family business it is today. We love it that we are local people caring for the families of Whanganui and Districts in helping them create a meaningful farewell.
Our philosophy - We are totally focused on the needs of your family and offer a friendly and professional level
of service and advice, that is second to none. We continue to grow and update so we can keep pace with this changing world.
Laura is a Whanganui girl and is married to Craig. She began her funeral directing career in 1994 when she and Craig purchased their business from the Hird family. Laura is the longest serving, qualified female funeral director in Whanganui. And owning her own funeral home at a time when lady funeral directors were only just starting to work in the profession, as funeral directors, was both challenging and rewarding. Laura joined Whanganui Zonta club in 1994 and has worked with the club to enhance the status of women locally and throughout New Zealand.
Her Ngati Apa heritage has given Laura a rich connection with our community and this in turn has enriched and developed all who work in the company with an awareness, respect and understanding for all bereaved families.
Our family business is focused on helping all families in our community, showing them we do care, are happy to give friendly advice and are here to help at all times; to fulfil their needs, be they religious, cultural, or just wanting to do their own thing.
Rhys is Craig and Laura’s youngest son. He lives overlooking the Awa in the suburb of Aramoho. Rhys joined the family business in November 2008 as a funeral director and embalmer.
He graduated with his New Zealand Diploma in embalming in November 2013 and his specialty is in the preparation and presentation of families loved ones. He is a member of the New Zealand Embalmers Association and attends ongoing training to ensure the very best level of care and safety is provided to everyone in our care and their families.
Rhys' other talents include IT and graphics. He creates beautiful service sheets and ensures Cleveland's livestreaming, website, and other mediums are simple to find, up-to-date, and easy to use.
Michelle joined the Cleveland's in 2007, as a second generation Funeral Director.
She was a full time funeral director until she left to be a mum. Her son Kaiden was born in 2010 and she now has twin boys Roman and Lukus who were born in 2016. Michelle has recently rejoined the family business and along with her parents, and brother, Rhys, is now a company director- ensuring Cleveland's will be caring for the Whanganui community for many years to come.
Michelle is looking forward to embracing the challenges of the future while maintaining the professional and family values that have been instilled by her parents, Craig and Laura.
NZ Dip Funeral Directing.
Jonathon was born and raised in Whanganui. After finishing his education at Whanganui High School he joined the New Zealand Army Band where he travelled extensively throughout New Zealand and the world. He was a member of four national youth brass bands and has retained his interest in music being an active member of Brass Whanganui, numerous other musical groups in the city and past president the Whanganui Community Choir.
Jonathon joined Cleveland Funeral Home in 2010 and is a valuable member of the funeral directing team. He is committed to continuing to serve the people of Whanganui, in his roles as your funeral director and funeral celebrant. Jonathon has recently gained his Diploma in Funeral Directing adding to his expertise and depth of knowledge to be able to assist families in their time of need.
John was born and raised in New Plymouth. After working in retail for some years he started a 17 year career with Vodafone, owning the Vodafone store in Whanganui for many years. John moved to Whanganui with his family in 1989. It was a homecoming for his wife Helen and they raised their family in Brunswick on the family property. He has been involved in the Whanganui Boys and Girls Gym Club and is currently an active member of the Westmere Miniature Rifle Club and Sailing Whanganui.
John joined the Cleveland's team in 2014. He has worked with and cared for many people in his community over the years and continues to do this in his role as your funeral director and celebrant at Cleveland's.
Monique Collins (Moni) was born and raised in Whanganui where she attended Whanganui Intermediate School and Whanganui Girls College. Moni discovered her niche after working in a Hawera resthome. She recognised the role of caring and looking after someone once they had passed away was a very special skill and that it helped many of the grieving families she knew. With this in mind Moni gained employment at a local funeral home in Hawera and worked there learning her skills for three years.
On moving home to Whanganui to be near family, Moni secured her wishes to go forward caring for people when she joined Cleveland Funeral Home in 2015.
Moni graduated with her New Zealand Diploma in embalming in May 2019, making her Whanganui's only woman qualified embalmer.
Moni is an experienced and caring embalmer and funeral director and we at Cleveland's are very proud of her achievements and special skills when providing care to a family's loved one.
Simon was born in London and raised in Taupo. His radio career has seen him spend time in Hamilton, Hastings, Whangarei, Gold Coast and Auckland.
With many years in Toastmasters, his background makes him well-suited to celebrant work. His voice may be familiar to you - he is currently the male voice of Rialto Channel on SKY.
Simon moved to Whanganui with his wife, Jo, and their children, Edie and Stanley in 2019. He has previously worked at Anderson’s Menswear and began funeral directing in Whanganui in 2023.
One of his many passions is theatre. He is excited to be appearing on stage at The Opera House this October in Amdram’s 150th year celebration show, Oliver! Welcome to the team Simon!
