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It is not easy accepting the reality and finality of the death of someone we care about. If that person is a loved one it can be even more difficult. We know that we can not change the way things are, but we can share our feelings and our memories with friends and family in a way we feel most appropriate and most comfortable with. This sharing process helps to create a bond of compassion and respect. It can help the bereaved work through the grieving process.
Central to all of this is the Funeral Service, and a Funeral Director who will provide a high level of professionalism coupled with compassion and the ability to accommodate the bereaved family's wishes. At Twentymans Funeral Services we know that the Funeral Service is the final opportunity family and friends will have to publicly express their love, respect and feelings for the deceased.
We know how to arrange the service with care and sensitivity so that it accommodates those attending. And we know how much the little things can mean to those who grieve.
We pay special attention to:
- Ascertaining the family's wishes
- Providing advice based on our many years experience, but remaining open to your suggestions
- Ensuring an appropriate service at the right time in the right venue
- Providing a casket which meets the family's wishes
- Arranging for the placement of ashes, purchase of a burial plot or organising a family grave to be reopened
- Organising an organist, sound system, video or audio recording, closed circuit video system
- Inserting notices in the press
- Liaising with clergy, celebrant, and cemetery or crematorium staff
- Collating official forms from the doctor or coroner
- Providing a hearse, a viewing room, and qualified, attentive staff
- Arranging appropriate floral tributes
- Filing death registration forms
- Arrange the establishment of a memorial
- Catering
- Service sheets
Twentymans incurs costs for the service we provide, and we act as agents for other suppliers.
The invoice you receive is really three accounts in one:
- Our charge for professional services.
- The charge for the chosen casket.
- Disbursements made on your behalf by us acting as an agent for the family, newspaper notices, toll calls, cemetery fees and the like.
Twentymans normally sends accounts directly to the family solicitor, with a copy to the family if required. You may, of course, choose for the account to be sent directly to the family. A genuine discount is offered for prompt payment of the account. The person making the arrangements with the Funeral Director is ultimately responsible for paying the invoice.
As each funeral service is different it is not really possible to give a precise indication of costs. There are many variables. Please talk to our Funeral Director who will be able to give you a cost based on your locality and your specific requirements. We believe that we will be able to provide a funeral service to meet both the family's needs and financial circumstances.
If you have any financial concerns it is a good idea to talk with your Funeral Director as soon as possible. Our Funeral Director will be able to guide you, and possibly suggest agencies whom you may approach, including Work & Income NZ or ACC. Various conditions and rules apply in regard to different pensions, funeral grants, and payments available, so it is important that contact is made early with relevant agencies.
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Types of Funeral Service
There are several types of funeral service available:
- Complete service and committal in a Church or our Chapel
- Service held in a Church or our Chapel followed by a procession to a cemetery
- Service and committal at a Crematorium Chapel
- Service and committal at the graveside
- Service in an alternative location such as a private garden or home
Members of the New Zealand Independent Funeral Homes Ltd respect the beliefs and needs of each family. You should not hesitate to make personal wishes known. (Click here for the form "Funeral Wishes" to indicate your funeral requirements).
You may also wish to consider who is most appropriate to take the service, and whether it should be conducted by someone known to the family or an outsider. Anyone may officiate at a funeral service, and for some families it is appropriate for them to conduct their own service, while others prefer a minister of the church or a celebrant.
Your Twentymans Funeral Services Funeral Director will listen to your requests and be able to offer advice on the most appropriate type of service and the availability of your preferred celebrant.
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How to Make The Service More Personal
There are many ways that you can make the service closely reflect the life of the deceased and be more personal for those attending:
- Provide the minister or funeral celebrant with details about the life of the deceased so that special memories can be shared.
- Consider incorporating the deceased's favourite music into the service, prior to the service start, during a moment of reflection, or perhaps while the casket is carried out.
- Display favourite flowers at the venue, by the casket, or perhaps arrange for flowers at the graveside.
- Involve family and friends in the eulogy, with a reading, or singing or playing an instrument.
- Place personal items which reflect the life of the deceased on or in the casket, or as part of a display at the service or during refreshments afterwards.
- Ask close friends to be casket bearers to carry the casket out of the venue and for a burial from the hearse to the grave. Family normally carry the casket for the final time.
- Arrange for clubs and organisations to attend so that they can show their support and pay their last respects. Sometimes club members form a guard of honour outside the venue at the end of the service.
- If the deceased was an ex-serviceperson arrange for the appropriate Flag to be placed over the casket, a guard of honour, or the sounding of the Last Post and Ode.
- Provide colour service sheets as a special memento for those attending.
- Supply a register for those attending the service to sign.
- Have the service video or audio taped for friends and relatives unable to attend.
- Organise appropriate refreshments and catering after the funeral to allow family and friends to gather and share memories.
- Arrange thank you notes to show your appreciation to those who attended for their support, and for those who have sent bereavement cards.
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