Pre-Planning

You can choose the type of funeral service that you wish to have, not the type of service tradition has dictated. The funeral service should in some way portray the life of the person who has died.

It is important that you are given the opportunity to have input into the service, to create a meaningful farewell for someone you love.

The funeral service is not only for the person who has died, it is also for you, your family and friends to remember and farewell a loved one.

Some of the following suggestions may appeal to you. It is our aim to offer suggestions on the many different options available when arranging a funeral for a loved one, or when planning your own funeral.

Things to consider or discuss with your funeral director

Service or Hymn Sheet

Have a service sheet printed with details of your loved one on it, include a favourite photo/s, poems, hymns or any thing else symbolic of your memories.

Digital photos can be taken of scenes from the family home or other places of special significance and printed on the service sheet.

Memorial Register

Invite people attending the service to sign a register to give the family a record of those attending.

Viewing

Spend time with the deceased, either by viewing or just sitting with the closed casket. You may like to have your loved one at home in familiar surroundings prior to the service.

Clothing

Have the deceased dressed in their own clothes. The family may like to help with dressing.

Flowers

Ask that the casket spray be made using favourite flowers or colours. Have individual flowers available for family members to place on the casket at the conclusion of the service or at the graveside. (www.brambles.co.nz, www.interflora.co.nz)

Casket

There is a wide range available. You may wish to visit our display room to make your choice or visit www.westerncaskets.co.nz, www.dyingart.co.nz, www.returntosender.co.nz.

Photos

Have a photo on the casket during the service and/or arrange a photo board display to reflect the deceased’s life at the service. A collection of photos on disc and played during the service can also be a reflective time.

Family Participation

Involve family, close friends and grandchildren to speak, say a reading or poem, as casket bearers, ushers etc.

Organisations, clubs etc.

If there are organisations the deceased person belonged to, they might like to participate in some way in the service, eg. RSA, Lodge, Bowling Club etc.

Emblems

Flags, medals, emblems or other memorabilia can be placed on the casket to represent the person’s life.

Venue

Hold the funeral service at home in a family garden, sports club, at your church or one of our chapels, or other venue that holds a special significance.

Things to discuss with your Minister, Priest or Celebrant

Eulogy

Have a member of the family, or personal friend pay a tribute.

Music

Play favourite music, eg. Tape, CD or sing a hymn/s that the deceased or family love. Have a soloist, musician or piper involved in the service. Music can relieve the tension and helps involve everyone in the service.

Readings

Have a favourite poem, verse or a passage from the Bible read at the service.

Church or Chapel flowers

Ask if it is possible to do the flowers at the church or chapel, these can be arranged by yourself or the funeral director.

Things to be discussed amongst the family

Refreshments

Gather after the service where family can share further with people over a cup of tea or coffee. The family home, community or church hall, clubrooms, funeral home etc are all suitable places to gather. We are able to arrange catering for you at any of these venues.

Recording

Have the service audio or video taped for family unable to attend, or relayed by polycom or skype to anywhere in the world.

Power Point Presentation

Collection of photos and memories presented electronically.

Photos

You can have photos taken of the deceased, the casket and flowers.

Flowers

Family members or friends may wish to arrange floral displays for the venue.

Assisting recovery from grief

Allow and encourage the children (eg. Grandchildren) to draw a picture or write a card to place in the casket. Often children will find it easier to express their feelings on paper.

It is important that you go with your true feelings. We cannot stress strongly enough that the family have the type of service that best reflects their loved one’s life.

Families should not hesitate to talk to us as funeral directors about any special wishes that they may have.

“We only have one chance to do things right”

Please take note of the facilities and services available to you

• Chapels at our Tauranga and Mount Maunganui funeral homes. (link to photos of venues and chapels)
• Funerals tailored to individual requirements and financial circumstances.
• Jones & Company are locally owned and operated, providing personal friendly service.
• Reception Lounge with catering facilities available at our Tauranga and Mount Maunganui funeral homes.
• Bereavement support - provided by our full time counsellor, at no extra cost.
• Monumental service available, with showroom displays at our Mount Maunganui and Te Puke funeral homes. We provide monumental plaques and headstones at competitive prices. (link to monumental page)

We are members of the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand, your insurance of qualified professional service.

In the comfort of your home or at any of our funeral homes, you can discuss and select the style of funeral you require. Our funeral directors are happy to share their experience, offer advice and answer any questions on all aspects of funeral planning.