Services
When somebody passes away
Regardless of the circumstances of somebody’s death, phone us first at (09) 477 2433 and we will talk you through the next steps. We will liaise with rest homes, hospitals, doctors and the coroner’s office if needed, ensuring that all necessary documentation is prepared.
We will attend to bring the person who has died in to our care as quickly as possible, however, sometimes it is important for family to spend some time with the person before that happens. This will be coordinated in discussion with your family and the funeral director. The process of wrapping the person’s body and moving on to our stretcher is something that family members are more than welcome to be a part of.
When you are ready to discuss the funeral arrangements we will meet with you wherever is most convenient, usually in the comfort of your home or at the Windsor Funerals office. We work with you to make sure your family member gets the farewell they deserve, as well as taking care of all the necessary paperwork.
There are benefits to taking your time and thinking things through before any important decisions are made. We ensure that you don’t feel rushed and that everything is done in your time. If you have family holidaying or living overseas, you may wish to talk to them before meeting with us.
Services
Burial
Families will often choose burial for religious or cultural reasons, or to have their loved one be with a family member who has died before them. If families do not already have a plot available, there are options at various local cemeteries. It is important to consider what kind of headstone or plaque you would like when choosing a plot as there can be restrictions on what is placed in certain areas of the cemetery.
Cremation
Cremation is definitely the most popular choice in Auckland currently, perhaps because of the significant cost advantage over burial. Whether a family chooses a simple cremation with no funeral service, a small intimate farewell, or a full funeral followed by a cremation, Windsor Funerals will assist and support the family with their wishes.
When a cremation follows a funeral service, there are several different options. You may wish to watch the hearse leave from the funeral and not continue to the crematorium. Some families wish to follow the hearse for the final journey to the crematorium, saying a private goodbye within the grounds, or even holding a private committal service prior to cremation.
All decisions are a family’s personal choice.
Embalming
Embalming slows the natural decomposition of the deceased. It is highly recommended if you wish to have a person’s body at home, if there is to be viewing several days after death, or if there is expected to be a delay of more than a few days before the funeral service is held. The recommendation to embalm will only come after careful consideration by the funeral director of the circumstances and is often not necessary.
We do understand that many people now do not want embalming to take place and will always do what we can to accommodate a family’s wishes.
Our mortuary care is carried out by a qualified member of the New Zealand Embalmers Association.
Caskets
There is a vast selection of caskets available to families and your funeral director will have photos of all the options and styles. From traditional to contemporary options, your choice in casket can be a great way to personalise a farewell that truly reflects a life well lived.
Viewing
Spending time with the person who has died can often be very comforting for families. We have a small private room for this purpose (see our Service Venues page), or sometimes families wish for the person to be brought home. Photos, letters, notes, flowers and other symbolic items may be placed in the casket at this time. (Some items are not permitted to be cremated so please discuss this with your funeral director).
Flowers
Windsor Funerals has a dedicated and experienced florist that can provide casket or venue flowers. Alternatively you may have a family member, florist or friend that you wish to use.
Sometimes families do not require an arrangement of flowers for the casket and might instead have a framed photo, single rose or some personal items such as a musical instrument or golf clubs.
Service Sheets
We can arrange the design and printing of service sheets. These usually contain photos, details of the funeral service and sometimes hymns, readings, and poems.
Bookmarks are also becoming a popular option, especially where there is a preference for a simpler farewell.
Newspaper Notices
Funeral notices are the most usual way of letting friends, colleagues and extended family know when someone has died and the details of the funeral service. There are online options available to families also and Windsor Funerals can assist you with these.
Pre-arrange and prepay
We know, talking about your own funeral can be a very difficult thing to do. For families that have this conversation, however, there are significant benefits.
Assurance for your family that they are giving you the farewell you want. Minimise any disagreement that may arise between well-meaning family members.
Doing this for your family allows them more room to grieve and support each other.
Meet with us to pre-arrange your funeral and we will deduct a further 10% off our already low Professional Services fee.
Many people also consider prepaying their funeral expenses, giving family one less thing to have to think about. When the time comes they can be focused on the truly important things, instead of difficult choices whilst under emotional duress.
To help you with prepaying your funeral expenses Windsor Funerals have teamed up with Christian Savings, New Zealand’s only licensed charitable non-bank deposit taker. As well as peace of mind knowing that your finances are in order, this plan offers:
Zero Fees (unlike most other prepayment options)
Your funds will grow interest similar to a bank Term Deposit
Funeral prepayment funds of up to $10,000 are excluded from Residential Care Subsidy asset testing
Founded in 1962, Christian Savings has a proven track record
The staff at Windsor Funerals can meet you in your home, or at our offices, to record your wishes and help you plan ahead.
Call us today to set up an appointment on (09) 477 2433
Forms
When you have decided to entrust you or your family member’s funeral arrangements to us, you will want to look over the following forms. Often the best way to do this is meet with one of our funeral directors, so that we can advise you where needed and answer any questions. If you prefer, you can print them instead, write down your wishes and email them back to us at office@windsorfunerals.co.nz.
It is often helpful to give a copy of the “My Funeral Choices” form to family members, so they know you have made these arrangements.
The “Personal Information Form” contains information we require at the time of death to apply for a Death Certificate from the Department of Internal Affairs. Having this already completed saves your family having to find this information later.
