Funeral Services

Sometimes arranging a funeral feels like a huge amount to organise in a seemingly short amount of time. Please use our checklist below to get an overview of some things to think about, and we will help you to refine and be specific about what you do and don’t want for the funeral gathering. Our professional fee for organising a service is $4,200.

Deciding on the Details

Burial or Cremation?

Most people currently choose cremation but there are options for burial throughout the Auckland region. Your funeral director can help organise a burial, but you will be expected to visit the cemetery to choose the plot. Waikumete cemetery also has an ecoburial area – you will find more details about this here.

The Timing

This obviously is a choice for the family to make but may be influenced by the availability of a venue or celebrant. We encourage families to take their time and not be rushed through this period between the death and the funeral. With so much to do and so many decisions to make, it can feel overwhelming – but our team are here to help.

If the death has been sudden and unexpected, we believe that it is even more important to take time over the decisions to ensure the farewell is everything you want it to be.

Venues

There are many options for holding a funeral service.

For some, churches are a natural choice, and when families have a connection with one, we work with the minister and staff to arrange a suitable day and time.

For others, Auckland crematoriums offer chapels of various sizes with supportive, experienced staff. Funerals can also be held in homes, community halls, or meaningful places such as yacht clubs or historic venues – – wherever feels right for your family.

For your convenience, many venues have reception lounges attached, but we can help organise alternative reception venues if required.

Catering

We can help arrange catering to suit the tone and style of the gathering – whether that’s a simple cup of tea and slice, light refreshments, or a more substantial meal.

You’re welcome to use your own caterer, bring food from home, or let us recommend someone we trust. Many venues have their own catering options, and we’ll make sure everything runs smoothly so family and friends can relax and share memories together.

Casket Choice

At Aroha, we work with a range of trusted suppliers to offer a wide selection of caskets. You can browse some of the options on our Caskets page, and your Funeral Director will help guide you if you have particular preferences – whether that’s affordability, sustainability, or a certain style you have in mind.

Celebrants, Ministers & Priests

We work with many wonderful celebrants and take pride in finding the one that feels right for each family. By learning about the person who has died – their personality, interests, and life story – we can match them with a celebrant who will honour their life in a genuine and meaningful way. We also liase with ministers and priests who care for the churches in and around Auckland.

Service Sheets

If you’d like us to take care of it, we can organise the design and printing. We can show you examples from previous services for inspiration and we’ll liaise with your celebrant or minister to confirm the order of service for the ceremony.

We’ll just need one good photo for the front, and perhaps four or five for the back. You might also like to include your loved one’s favourite colour, flowers, or hobby to make it more personal.

Some families prefer to create the service sheet themselves, and we encourage anyone who’d like to do that to take the lead.

Clothing & Jewellery

You’re welcome to bring in clothing that feels right for your loved one – something they would have felt comfortable in, or that reflects who they were. It can be as simple or as special as you choose. We’ll also ask whether any jewellery should stay with them or be returned to you afterwards.

You may want to help dress your loved one. Whatever you decide, our funeral director will guide you through these details gently, ensuring everything is handled just as you wish.

Flowers

We work with a number of wonderful florists, though you’re always welcome to use a family or local florist if you prefer. There are many options – sprays, bouquets, wreaths, or custom arrangements in colours and styles that feel right for your loved one.

We’ll note your preferences and, where possible, match them to what’s in season. Our florists can also create natural sprays with native ferns, shells, beach flowers, or even vegetables for keen gardeners.

You may also like to include farewell petals or rosemary for family and friends to place as a final gesture of love and remembrance.

Newspaper Notice

We can help you place a family notice in the newspaper – we hold accounts with all major papers across New Zealand, so we can arrange it on your behalf.

If you’d like to write the notice yourself, we can guide you through what to include and how to word it.

Notices usually include key details such as your loved one’s full name, age, date of passing, close family members, and information about the service or farewell. You may also like to add a short personal message, verse, or acknowledgement of thanks – something that captures their spirit in just a few words.

Viewing

You may decide to spend time with your loved one prior to the funeral.

Our peaceful viewing rooms in Penrose and Takanini provide a calm, private space for you to spend time with your loved one. Many families find comfort in these quiet moments – whether it’s sitting together in reflection, sharing stories, or simply being present. You’re welcome to bring personal items, music, or anything that helps make the space feel right for your family.

Talk to your funeral director to arrange a time to do this.

Photo Slideshow

Many families choose to include a photo presentation as part of the service – a visual tribute that celebrates the special moments, people, and places that shaped their loved one’s life. It’s a beautiful way to share memories and stories, and often something younger, tech-savvy family members enjoy creating.

If that’s not possible, we’re more than happy to take care of it for you, including scanning printed photos and compiling the slideshow. As a guide, around 40 images work well for a single song, and we recommend keeping it to no more than two songs (a maximum of 100 photos) – so it remains meaningful and easy to follow.

If you’re creating the slideshow yourself, we suggest embedding the music directly and exporting the finished file as an MP4. Be sure to test it at the venue before the day to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Recording & Livestreaming

Many venues now offer live streaming and recording of the service, with a link emailed to you beforehand so it can be shared with friends and family who aren’t able to attend. If the venue doesn’t have this capability, we can arrange for a videographer to record and/or live stream the service for you. A copy can also be downloaded, so you have a keepsake to look back on later.

Music

For many people, music plays an important role in personalising a funeral. Choosing songs your loved one enjoyed, or hymns that hold special meaning, helps make the service truly reflective of their life and personality.

Typically, you’ll want to select music for the entry or beginning of the service, one or two pieces for the photo reflection, and a song or two to conclude as you carry out or farewell.

We can help organise live musicians such as organists, soloists, harpists, buglers, or pipers, as well as source recorded music to be played through the sound system.

Memorial Books

This is not something that every family feels is important, especially if it is a small family service. However, others wish to have a record of who was at the service.

A memorial book is something that a family member may want to go and choose themselves. Otherwise we have a few options available which your funeral director can show you.

Candle

A candle can be a simple yet meaningful part of the service – a symbol of love, memory, and presence. You’re welcome to bring your own special candle, or we can supply one for you.

It can be lit at the beginning of the service and remain burning throughout as a gentle tribute to your loved one.

Pallbearers

We’ll talk with you about your preferences for carrying the casket and what feels most comfortable for your family. Some choose to have no pallbearers, while others prefer to carry the casket in or out, or both. It can also be wheeled on a trolley, or carried at hip or shoulder height – each option offering its own sense of dignity and meaning.

Airline Letters

Some airlines offer compassionate airfares to help family members travel to a funeral from out of town. If you’re applying for this, we can provide a supporting letter to include with your claim, confirming the details of the service and your relationship to the deceased.

Ashes Collection Locations

Ashes are usually ready for collection a few days after the cremation. They can be picked up from either our Penrose, Takanini or Meadowbank locations – whichever is more convenient for you. If you’d prefer, we can hold on to them safely until you’re ready.