Funeral costs
Estimates
“How much does a funeral cost?” is one of the most common questions we get asked
The answer will depend on the type of funeral you want and the various choices made along the way.
When you sit down to talk to us about a funeral, we’ll draw up an estimate of costs that itemises what makes up our professional service fee and what our suppliers will charge for the things you would like to order (such as flowers or a newspaper notice).
It’s usual for costs to change a bit as decisions are finalised, but we always stay in touch throughout the process so you know what’s going on and there aren’t any surprises after the service.
We don’t have the shareholder profit targets that corporate-owned Funeral Homes have, and because we’re small we don’t have to cover the same kinds of overheads.
We use local suppliers whenever we can, supporting other locally-owned small businesses. We use sustainable, eco-friendly options wherever possible, protecting our environment the way we know Wellingtonians want us to. We’re flexible, creative and responsive – we aren’t trying to sell you anything you don’t need.
All of this means we can provide high-quality boutique services at a fair and accessible price.
Professional service fee
Most funeral homes charge a professional service fee to cover running costs and the hours of work done to arrange and carry out a funeral. However, many will charge a flat fee regardless of how big or small, complex or simple the funeral service is.
At Wellington City Funerals, we calculate our professional service fee using FDANZ guidelines. We think it’s fair to only charge for the work we do.
Direct Cremation package
Because there’s no funeral service and the cremation takes place at a time of our and the crematorium’s convenience (family don’t attend), we offer a discounted Direct Cremation “package”.
We still provide all the usual care for your loved one. We will arrange a time with you for us to bring them into our care. We’ll wash them and dress them in clothes you’ve selected, then lay them in a simple casket. We’ll take care of all the paperwork and bookings, and will bring your loved one to the crematorium.
We’ll then return your loved one’s ashes and Death Certificate in due course.
Caskets
We keep some of our most popular caskets in stock. In some instances, we may need to order the casket from our suppliers; they usually deliver within one or two business days. Sometimes a special casket (eg extra tall) will take a day or two more.
Our standard range of caskets are sourced from local craftspeople. Eco-conscious, down to earth designs are our mainstay.
Cardboard caskets
We get asked about these a lot! There are some practical considerations to do with robustness and Health & Safety legislation that means our local councils currently don’t allow cardboard caskets for cremation.
If you have a pre-purchased casket or something special in mind, talk to us and let’s find out what’s possible.
Home-made caskets
It’s so special to farewell a loved one in a home-made casket. We’re always excited to hear when a family has made their own.
We’ll need to know the dimensions and composite materials, due to the size limits of the cremator machine or burial plot. For cremation there are also regulations for paint or varnish (which may produce smoke).
Let’s talk, and if it’s at all possible, we’ll do our best to make it happen!
Urns
Like caskets, we have a small range of urns at our office. There’s a huge range of urns out there – we can point you to some options if you like, but often people will find something they love online. Most urns can be delivered from their makers within three or four business days.
We can transfer ashes for you, or let you know the best approach if you’re happy to make that transfer yourself.
Homemade urns
Did you know that almost anything can be an urn? If there’s sufficient capacity, and it can be sealed, then we can use it as an ashes urn.
We’ve helped families to take home their loved one’s ashes in a silver teapot, an earthenware jug and a presentational whisky box. We can divide ashes between more than one receptacle, too.
Talk to us about what you have in mind.
Memorial merchandise
Memorial jewellery (using a small amount of ashes or hair), keepsake urns and fingerprints are all ways to keep your loved one’s memory close to you. Talk to us about what we can arrange.