Check list for ‘greening’ the funeral

Body care
Choices are:
a) To keep the body at home using ice packs and natural methods
b) To use a coolroom at the funeral director’s premises
c) To embalm and then bring the body home
Discuss the options with your funeral director.

Casket
Eco-choices in caskets range from a simple cardboard casket (at approximately $300), right up to a designer casket (David Trubridge, from $2150). There are many options in between including a silk shroud from $850, an Essence pine (from $950) a Return to Sender ($1600) and a solid timber casket (macrocarpa or pine, from $1950). View these on our Caskets page (click here)
If you wish to make your own casket, please ask us, or any funeral director, before you do this, to check on dimensions and suitable materials etc.

Venue
Most crematoriums have a Chapel available for a funeral. If the funeral is a small, family one, consider having the service at a family home. Community facilities such as boat clubs, or the local hall, can be ideal venues for a funeral.

Celebrant
We recommend that you use a professionally trained celebrant, as we do. Ask us for a recommendation, or contact Mary Hancock at www.celebrant.school.nz

Cremation or burial?
Choices are fairly limited in Auckland – there is an eco-burial area at Waikumete with 7 plots remaining. We remain optimistic that a Natural Burial site will be opening here within 2 years – keep an eye on our website for updates or go to www.naturalburials.co.nz. Cremating an unembalmed body in an eco-casket is the best option.

Catering
Consider asking friends to bring a plate of special food to share after the service – not only does this cut down cost, but it also gives people a chance to be involved, and to help in some way. We have trusted caterers who we are happy to recommend.

Flowers
Remember that flowers are normally sprayed. Ask friends and family to bring something from their own garden. If you are having flowers or petals for people to place on the casket, consider using home-grown flowers. Less expensive, and more personal. Also, a basket of lavender or rosemary can be brought from your own garden. Native ferns and other foliage can beautify a room very quickly. We highly recommend Titirangi Fairy Flowers, phone 817 3780 – they are our preferred florist.

Newspaper Notices
Keep the notice brief but loving and to the point. They can prove to be very costly.

Hearse/Transport
Does anyone in your network have a large stationwagon or van that you would prefer to use.

Memorial Book
Visit your local bookstore and purchase a blank paper album or book, add some photos to personalise it. There are some gorgeous books available at Trade Aid stores. We have a range of beautiful, handmade books made specifically for use at a funeral.

Service Sheets
These can be so easily prepared by family – add some special photos, a verse, a message . They can cost up to $7 each to be prepared by someone else.

Music
Generally a couple of tracks chosen – some music to play for 20 minutes or so while people are arriving, a track to play during the reflection time in the ceremony, and something to play at the end of the service.

Photoboard
A really lovely way for people to place the life of the deceased in context – make up a board of photos from throughout their life – you can place this anywhere, but it is good to place it on the table near the memorial book so that people can look at the photos and then write their thoughts.

Ashes
Can be either kept, buried in a purchased plot at a cemetery, or scattered in a place significant to family. Any ashes being taken overseas require a cremation export certificate, so do ask your funeral director to ensure you get one with the ashes.