Frequently Asked Questions

This depends a little on where the person died and the manner of death, but as a general comment, if the death occurred at a nursing home or in a hospital, call your Funeral Director for advice and assistance. If the death occurs at home, the first thing you need to do is call your doctor. After this, and before any further arrangements are made, call your Funeral Director who will be able to guide you on all things that need to be done.

Some families choose to have the body of the deceased at home or on the marae prior to the funeral, as it provides loved ones with an opportunity to grieve and say their goodbyes. Others prefer to have viewings or spend time with them at the funeral home. At Cambridge Funerals we can easily arrange either of these options for you and are more than happy to accommodate your wishes.

Yes, at Cambridge Funerals we offer a range of different styles at different prices. You can choose between what you can afford, what you see as practical and what you regard as a fitting tribute to the deceased.

We have a comprehensive selection of caskets for you to choose from, including custom-wood and solid timber. Prices vary depending on the construction materials, and the finish selected. Paint-finish caskets are also available.

Whether you are pre-planning for yourself or choosing for a loved one, a casket selection is a very personal decision and an expression of your feelings. A casket that reflects the personality and taste of your loved one can be your final tribute to their life. The caring staff at Cambridge Funerals understand these needs and offer a wide variety of caskets that can help you make your decision. You’re welcome to come and view some of the options at our office.

When the wishes of the deceased are known, they are followed. If they are not known, then it usually becomes the decision of the executor of the will and/or family.

The choice between being buried or cremated is a personal decision made by the individual or family members. It’s important to take your deceased loved one’s wishes, feelings, culture and beliefs into consideration.

Religious and cultural beliefs also play an important part in this decision. Except for Orthodox Judaism, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Islam, most religions accept the process of cremation.

When it comes to choosing a final resting place, there is more flexibility and a wider range of options available with ashes as opposed to an earth burial. Ashes may be buried in a cemetery plot, memorial garden or even at the family property or favourite place. Many families choose to scatter the ashes in an appropriate place or, in some circumstances, they may even keep them at home. You can also choose for the ashes to be divided and one portion buried or scattered while the other remains with the family.

The casket is cremated too. The entire casket containing the body is placed in the cremator and reduced to ashes under controlled conditions and very high temperatures.

​Some people also fear that more than one casket will be cremated at a time and the ashes returned may not be those of your loved one. There is only room in the cremator for one casket. There are very strict guidelines and processes which are in place to ensure the correct ashes are returned to the correct family. Most crematoria in New Zealand are owned by the local municipal authority and cremation procedures are laid down by law.

Yes, if a body is being repatriated (transported home) to another country, embalming is a compulsory requirement set by airlines. Otherwise, it is the recommended way of holding someone until the time of their funeral.

Embalming is the art and science of preserving the human body by treating them (with chemicals) to slow decomposition. The body is sanitised, preserved and well-presented, for religious reasons or for medical purposes. This also enables the deceased to be viewed by family and friends and creates a precious memory that is everlasting.

The deceased is transferred to the mortuary after death. There they are embalmed, hair styled, gentlemen are shaved and women may be made-up, if this is how they were normally presented. They are then dressed in the clothing supplied by the family and placed in the casket.

For more information on embalming, please get in touch.

People grieve in their own time, so having time to say goodbye and having an opportunity to see the person who has died can be beneficial. Embalming makes this possible.

We get the most benefit from a viewing if the person we are mourning looks as good as possible – at peace and natural, rather than in pain or surrounded by medical equipment. The body must be embalmed to ensure friends and family can have safe access and a positive experience.

Children, like adults, need to go through a grieving process. Also like adults, children learn that death is a fact of life. It is well worthwhile for parents and care-givers to talk with their children about death before it occurs - this very much minimises the shock when it finally happens. Depending on the age of the child, the choice of whether to attend the funeral or not may be left up to the child.