I am born and bred from Ōtautahi/Christchurch, with whakapapa to Moeraki and Hawera/Taranaki. I am married to Kiwhakiwha Barry Jumbo Williams, and together have 8 tamariki, 20 mokopuna, 1 mokopuna tuarua and have brought up numerous whangai tamariki also.
Funeral directing has been my life-long passion and in my whakapapa as my Father used to prepare tūpāpaku with his Father my (Grandfather “Pop”).
It is a privilege to meet with the whānau pani, and be able to tautoko and awhi them in their time of mourning. From meeting with the morgue, or hospital staff and taking any stress from whanau, so they can grieve without worry, to being there in the mortuary while a loved one is being embalmed, right through to when they are laid to their final rest. It is an honour for me to serve whanau as they need, taking care of all the details and utilising tikanga and cultural practices to manaaki those in grief.
I work in collaboration with my esteemed colleague Charlie McKenzie . He has been instrumental to my own learning as a funeral director and has supported me to be the first Māori based funeral director in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.
Ko Aoraki me Taranaki nga Maunga
Ko Waitaki me Waingongoro nga Awa
Ko Moeraki me Aotea nga Marae
Ko Ngati Hateatea me Okahu, Inuawai nga hapu
Ko Ngai Tahu me Taranaki Nga Ruahinerangi nga Iwi
Ko Betsy Williams toku ingoa
The role of a Funeral Director is to take as much stress from the whānau as possible and help make the necessary decisions and what care and last wishes they want to convey. It is always a pleasure and a honour to have the opportunity to take care of a lost loved one. To be able to reach out to the grieving whānau at their time of loss, is a gift and passion of mine.
Everyone handles death in their own way. But the last thing anyone needs at this time is the financial worry often associated with a tangi. Sensitive to the needs of families, Manaakitanga Funeral Services can assist with all of the Tangi details, handling planning and arrangements with compassion, understanding and professionalism. Our transparent cost structure means all costs are outlined up-front, and there are no hidden costs to worry about. Planning a Tangi with dignity and care, whatever your requirements.
I am a komiti member of Tuhoe Ki Waitaha receiving huge blessings learning Maori culture.
For some 30 years I have worked closely with the Māori Community of Christchurch. During that time, I have been a Funeral Celebrant with the last 6 years being a Funeral Director.
It is my pleasure to be pononga to the community.