By Hazel James, Funeral Director
Funeral service has been ingrained in my life since childhood, with my father, Ray Jagger, and his father also being funeral directors. I have served as a funeral director for over 20 years at a variety of Auckland-based funeral homes: family-owned, corporate-owned and, most recently, here at Windsor Funerals, a for-purpose social enterprise.
In recent years, I have had to plan the funerals of close family members and acutely understand the pain of the planning process while grieving.
Here are three questions I encourage everyone to ask themselves when choosing a funeral home:
1. Do I trust this company?
When you arrange a funeral, it is important to trust the company looking after your family. Ask your community. Read through the website. Call around, speak with the funeral directors directly, and ask questions.
2. Am I feeling rushed to make decisions?
While some decisions may need to be made promptly, (e.g. whether someone is to be buried or cremated), you should be able to pause and avoid rushing some decisions. For many, this may be the first time navigating funeral arrangements, and for everyone, it’s an emotionally challenging time to make significant choices.
3. Are they transparent in their pricing?
With some funeral homes, a quote may include hidden costs. Be sure to ask thorough questions. Take a look at our funeral calculator if you want to get a rough overview of additional things to consider, but feel free to give us a call if you are feeling uncertain about specific costs.
Why am I passionate about Windsor Funerals?
In all my years working in the funeral industry, Windsor Funerals is my absolute favourite workplace. When founding this space, we wanted to cultivate a bright, compassionate environment, serving you and our families first.
I am proud my team of directors offers experience, understanding, and patience. One of us will always answer your first call, rather than a call centre. We are available 365 days a year. From there, we are happy to take care of the little details, no matter how small.
When someone comes into our care, they are treated with the same respect that we would give to our own family members. We ensure that you are given the time and support to arrange the farewell you really want, not one that is simply convenient for us.
Our unique approach means we do not charge extra for weekend viewings or out-of-hours removals. In my experience, I know how important this is and am grateful to offer this to our grieving families.
Finally, there is no limit to how we can help you create a funeral that’s a little bit different. We genuinely love being asked to create something out of the ordinary.
We are here when you need us.
About the Author: Hazel James is co-founder of Windsor Funerals, funeral director and celebrant. She is passionate about helping people and supporting families from the moment they learn of a terminal illness to planning a farewell to celebrate a life. She believes it is a privilege to assist people during one of the most challenging times. Hazel prides herself on creating creative solutions to help you plan a funeral that reflects you or your family wishes.
Windsor Funerals provides compassionate, personalised, affordable funeral options in Auckland.
Our team works closely with each family to ensure that every detail aligns with their values, budget, and vision for a meaningful farewell. We aim to help families make decisions that resonate with their loved ones’ lives and legacies. Reach out to the Windsor Funerals team today for more information or to discuss your options. We’re here to support you every step of the way.