Funerals can be a celebration of a life lived and an opportunity for people to gather together and comfort one another.

A death will raise many issues for families, and the funeral should reflect their needs. Different kinds of death will dictate different styles of funeral. A funeral for an elderly and much loved grandparent will be very different from the funeral for a young person who has died in a car accident.

When you are planning the funeral, think about the person who has died and what aspects of their life you wish to celebrate. Think also about yourself and your family and make the funeral a time to remember as well as a time to provide comfort and strength.

To assist with planning a service, work through some of the practical things you will need to think about and which are detailed on this page.

Remember, we are there to assist you with as many of the arrangements as you would like us to and to take as much pressure off you as possible.

Venue

There are a number of venue options. Some of the common ones are:

church
marae
funeral home chapel
school chapel
sports clubrooms
family home or gardens

When considering which venue is most suitable for you, consider also the number of people likely to attend and whether there are facilities to provide refreshments after the service.

Officiant

You can request a minister or priest of a denomination of your choice to officiate at the funeral. Alternatively you can choose a funeral celebrant, family member or friend. There are no legal requirements that dictate the choice of the Officiant.

Service Planning

The following details will need consideration when planning the service;

Personal Tribute Ask a family member, friend or colleague to pay a personal tribute.
Readings Choose a favourite poem, verse or bible passage to be read at the service.
Family participation Family members may wish to take part by acting as pall bearers, ushers or readers. Some readers, particularly children, may need the support of another family member while they read.
Organisations, clubs If the deceased belonged to an organization such as a Masonic Lodge, Rotary, RSA or a sports club, the members may like to participate in the service.
Remembrance candle Light a candle to begin the service. You might wish to invite a child to do this. In the future, you can light the candle on significant dates like birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas.
Emblems A flag, medals, uniform, lodge regalia or other emblems may be placed on the casket if applicable.
Memorabilia Significant items such as photographs, golf clubs, needlework, a painting or prized vegetables from the garden can be placed on the casket or on a ‘memory table’ near the casket.
Flowers
A floral arrangement from the family can be placed on the casket.
Family and friends can place individual flowers on the casket during the funeral service, at the graveside or    the crematorium.
Posy bowls can be used to decorate the service venue.
Donation box A box can be available for donations to a nominated charity in lieu of flowers.
Attendance book As it is often not possible for the family to see everyone at the funeral service or remember who was present, it is a good idea to have a book for people to record their attendance at the service.
Service sheets These can be printed with a photo or a picture on the front cover and contain details of the service, including a favourite poem or verse, together with the words to the songs or hymns to be sung.
Recording Service We can arrange to video or audio tape the service. This can be of great help for family and friends unable to attend the service and also can be of comfort in the weeks to come.
Photos These can be taken of the deceased, the funeral service, flowers which are sent, those attending the service and the burial or cremation.
Music Favourite music can be played from a tape or CD. A soloist, organist, pianist or other musicians can sing or play. Hymns or songs can be sung.
Refreshments We can arrange catering for a gathering after the service. This can be held in the church hall, our funeral home reception lounge, or any venue of your choice.
Viewing Many mourners find spending time with the deceased is therapeutic. This can be either with the casket open or sitting with the closed casket. You can do this at the funeral home, at your own home or some other appropriate venue.
Clothing Dressing the deceased in their own clothes, jewellery and spectacles where appropriate, will make them look familiar. The family may like to do this themselves or our funeral personnel will assist.
Cars We can supply cars with drivers, to take family and friends to the service, burial or cremation and return them home.
Newspaper notice The funeral director will place the death notice, as they provide the authorisation required for the newspaper company to accept the notice. Newspapers will not accept a death notice from anyone else, without them presenting the death certificate to prove the death. This stops fictitious death notices being placed.

The usual format for a death notice is as follows:

The deceased’s full name including nicknames.
Details of honours, war service, place of work or place of residence may be listed if desired.
List relatives in order of closeness of relationship with appropriate terms of endearment.
Include directions regarding flowers or in lieu of flowers donations to an organisation or charity.
At Lychgate we have a message tribute section. Funeral directors will offer the use of their address or P O     Box number for inclusion in the notice.
You can include a personal poem, verse or quote.
You may wish to thank individuals or support agencies such as doctors, hospice, or ambulance staff who    have provided special care.
The service details are listed including the service time, day and date, venue and whether there is a burial or    cremation service to follow. If you are having a private service, advise only that a service will or has been    held.
Finishing with the funeral home contact details gives a point of contact for enquiries. Friends, colleagues or    fellow club members often call to ask a question so as not to disturb the family. Solicitors and    trust    companies call to check whether the Will they hold is the latest one or to ask questions regarding the    administration of the estate.

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