Funeral Planing
Venues
Our funeral home is situated at 29 Beattie Street, Feilding.
Our new chapel is fully air conditioned and include seating in the main chapel for up to 175 people, we also have close circuit TV in both our covered foyer and in our after-funeral Function Lounge for the larger funeral.
The chapel is equipped with the latest technology that can allow those unable to be present at the funeral to view it anywhere in the world. We have industry leading audio-visual equipment that should be expected at a modern funeral home.
When arranging a larger funeral, our staff have some alternative venue options available appropriate to the large number of people likely to attend.
If a family has a close connection to a religious denomination, often the service will be held in their local church where some may choose to use other facilities like Kelvin Grove Crematorium situated in Palmerston North.
Your family may also choose to have the service at the family home or any other setting that has significance for the person who has died.
Catering
Gathering together after a funeral is regarded as an important aspect of the funeral service. Funerals may be the only opportunity for a “family reunion” with people further afield.
Our facilities are equipped for this purpose and catering can also be provided at other venues. We are also happy to speak to our caterer should there be any special dietary requirements.
Flowers
Flowers provide a touching tribute that can brighten up a somber time.
Feilding is spoilt for choice when it comes to florists. The type of flowers you choose can express your sentiments and you can usually choose a favourite flower or combination of flowers and colours for a casket spray single flowers or a bunch of flowers tied with ribbon. We are more than happy to arrange flowers for the funeral on your behalf, or you are most welcome to arrange these as a family directly with the florist. Some people have used baskets of vegetables, sports equipment, or other goods to tailor the floral tribute to a loved one’s personality.
Composing a Newspaper Notice
Our Staff will assist with compiling an appropriate notice for the paper and will place the notice in any local, national or international newspaper you choose.
Suggestions of how a newspaper notice could be set out:
Below are some ideas on what could be put into a death notice. We will assist you at the time so the following is for those who wish to have the notice prepared in advance.
CITIZEN - William (Bill), on.............(peacefully/suddenly) at...... aged........ Dearly loved husband and best friend of ............. . .......Loved father & father in law of............. . Loved & cherished grandfather of...................................................................
Other people you may wish to consider – son & son in law of, brother & brother in law of, uncle of,...............................Friends are invited to attend a funeral service for Bill at ............ Followed by private cremation/ followed by burial at the............... Cemetery.
Other considerations:.............................................................
In lieu of flowers donations to .....................
Messages to............................
We recommend that families use a PO Box number if they have access to one or have messages sent c/o our address, as your address could be a target for unwanted attention.
William Cotton & Sons Ltd. FDANZ Feilding Ph. (06) 323 7062
(Having our name at the bottom of the notice allows friends, florists etc. to seek clarification of any queries they have without disturbing the family)
Guide to Writing a Eulogy
A eulogy can be simply a recollection of personal memories shared at some point in the service by family friends and work colleagues and it can also take the form of a potted biography.
It is impossible to sum up a life story in a few minutes. However we can tell stories and recall memories in valuable and creative ways. In many ways you become something of a story teller and creative writer.
A eulogy is a time where we can talk about our loved one and remember who they were. It is a summary which covers important or interesting aspects of the deceased's life.
You might like to include important milestones, births and marriages significant moves and changes of career. A story or a little historical background may also be appropriate. The formative years of the deceased's life including their childhood and schooling may also be covered. A loved one may have a particular spiritual outlook or a favorite poem or piece of literature which can also be included.
The eulogy should act as a springboard for others to call to mind their own special memories so talk about your feelings for this special person tell some stories about your experiences with him or her. Anecdotes are a special way to celebrate life there is no reason to avoid the things that were amusing or even mildly irreverent!
Many immediate family members may understandably feel unable to speak publicly themselves yet have important things to say. Check with them and if they want to offer a few words or a precious memory briefly include these too in the eulogy.
As a very general guide the following are things you may want to include...
- Birthplace and short details of early years
- Childhood
- Educational and sporting achievements military service
- Work/career
- Marriage and family life
- Hobbies club memberships charity involvement
- Preferences in music literature theatre
- Characteristic words and sayings
- Personal qualities (perhaps illustrated by stories)
People often ask "how long a eulogy should be?" Really it should be as long or as short as you wish but normally 5 - 10 minutes (a couple of typed A4 pages) is appropriate. It is not so much how long you will speak for but more the way in which you convey your message.
