Burial is the most traditional form of disposal used in New Zealand, and in the past was the most common choice. Many families appreciate having a grave to visit and tend. Generally, a burial will follow a funeral service. The traditional practice is that, following the service, mourners and family members will follow the hearse in a cortege. This is a slow moving procession that allows people to accompany the deceased on their final journey.
Once at the cemetery where there is usualy a committal ceremony after which flowers, petals, and dirt can be placed on top of the casket this symbolises understanding that the body has returned to the earth. Filling the grave can be done by cemetery staff after the family has left or by the family themselves.
A temporary gravemarker will be supplied by us untill the Monumental work is completed (see our Monumental Work page).
It is important to note that, in most cases, a burial will be more expensive than a cremation.
Over 60% of families in New Zealand now choose cremation as their preferred method.
Cremation usually takes place following the funeral service famlies are welcom to accompany the casket to the crematorium where they may wish to have a small committal service.
After the cremation the ashes are placed in a simple container. The containers can then be placed in a suitable urn of your choice.
(see our Casket and Urn page).
There is a range of options available regarding the final resting place of the ashes. Ashes may be buried in a cemetery plot, memorial garden or even in a family property or favourite place. Many families choose to scatter the ashes in an appropriate place or, in some circumstances, they may even keep them at home. It is also possible for the ashes to be divided and one portion buried or scattered while the other remains in the possession of the family.
