Depending on how or where they died, there are a few processes that will need to be followed. If you are unsure at any time, please contact our Funeral Director and we'll do our best to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

This is our most often most asked question. Let's Assist you by giving some answers below;

Once you have decided on your Funeral Director (or Undertaker) when someone has died, we ask if the family can give us a call.

We often get a call from the Rest-home or Hospice or Hospital to confirm that someone has died.

We will arrange for the transfer into our care once the GP or Nurse Practitioner has been to confirm the passing. Sometimes (during a long weekend etc) the GP or Nurse Practitioner will ask us to transfer the person into our care and they will come and visit when they are free. In the era of Covid, during some levels the GP will not visit a rest-home, but they will arrange a visit to the Funeral Home.

Once we have the deceased in our care we usually wash and dress them and place them in their casket. If the person is not for embalming then we usually have them in our temperature controlled facility until their cremation day.

We will meet with families and have a discussion on what they want in terms of funeral services and other paperwork will need to be completed. During Covid lockdowns we can email paperwork through, or if family are out of town we can also send paperwork via email.

Once we have all the necessary documentation we will forward this to a Medical Referee (who is also a Doctor) who will examine the paperwork and if they are satisfied will issue us with a permit or 'Permission' for the cremation to take place.

Depending on the service that the family have decided on, we will work in the background to put everything together.

After the service we will arrange for a Death Certificate to be issued (through Internal Affairs).

This is a very basic overview of what happens, but we are more that happy to assist you with any questions that you have.

Once you have decided on your Funeral Director (or Undertaker) when someone has died, we do ask if the family can give us a call.

We often get a call from the Rest-home or Hospice or Hospital to confirm that someone has died.

We will arrange for the transfer into our care once the GP or Nurse Practitioner has been to confirm the passing. Depending on circumstances the GP or Nurse Practitioner may or may not attened to confirm the Death. Sometimes an Amblulance, the Police or a Nurse is called to certify 'Life No Longer Exists'. Once this has taken place we can arrange the trnasfer back to the funeral home.

Once we have the deceased in our care we usually wash and dress them and place them in their casket. If the person is not for embalming then we usually have them in our temperature controlled facility until their burial day. If the family do not want their family member home and the funeral is within a few days we maybe able to keep them cool in our temperature controlled facility.

We will meet with families and have a discussion on what they want in terms of funeral services and other paperwork will need to be completed. During Covid lockdowns we can email paperwork through, or if family are out of town we can also send paperwork via email.

Depending on the service that the family have decided on, we will work in the background to put everything together.

After the burial we will arrange for a Death Certificate to be issued (through Internal Affairs).

This is a very basic overview of what happens, every funeral is always different. We are more that happy to assist you with any questions that you have.

When a family or friend notifies us about a death, we will usually ask for the following information; The name, phone number and contact details of the person phoning us or the person who will be our main contact throughout the funeral process. We will also ask about the deceased, their name, where they are, their address etc.

At the Funeral Arrangement we will also ask for information so that we are able to register and order a death certificate. If families can have the deceased parents and marriage details this will be helpful.

In the case of a sudden or unexpected death, an accidental death or if a doctor is unavailable, a coroner will be called in to establish cause of death. Usually a post mortem or autopsy will take place where the deceased's body is examined by a pathologist. If the coroner decides to hold an inquest, this usually takes place several months after the funeral and funeral arrangements will proceed as normal.

Provided there are no legal impediments, the funeral usually takes place within three to seven days following death. It may be necessary to wait a little longer if family overseas need to travel to New Zealand. In the Covid age with families coming from overseas, the travelling family will have to apply to MIQ for a space - we can assist with letter and expedite this. For a Funeral that will be delayed we can have a long-term embalm to enable families to have an open coffin at the funeral service or visits by family before the Funeral day.

We understand that often there is not enough time to plan a funeral, especially in the case of a sudden death. Please call our Funeral Director as soon as you are able, so that we can assist you with all of the arrangements. In most cases we are able to provide a funeral service with as little as 12 - 24 hours notice.

We always offer this option to families. Whether it's just for a few hours or a few days, we believe that having your loved one at home helps many families begin the healing process.

Anyone is able to officiate at a funeral. Manaakitanga Funerals can recommend a number of professional celebrants. Or you may prefer to have a friend or family member conduct the service. For a Simple Cremation, if the family requests a prayer, reading or a poem before the cremation, Manaakitanga Funerals will carry out these wishes.

One of the major costs of any funeral is the casket. At Manaakitanga we offer the option of a simple cremation casket; lined on the inside and finished on the outside in the style of a traditional casket, your loved one is placed in a tastefully finished casket. The outer casket is removed prior to cremation. All Manaakitanga options include a name plate, cross or other symbol, and a "Rest in Peace" or "At Rest" sign for each casket on request.