Why pre planning your funeral can be a gift to your family

Why pre planning your funeral can be a gift to your family

Pre-planning a funeral is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can leave your family, because it eases both emotional and practical pressure at an already difficult time.

What is funeral pre-planning?

Pre-planning means thinking about and recording your funeral or tangihanga wishes in advance, and in some cases choosing to pre-pay as well. It allows you to decide the type and style of service you would like, and how much you wish to invest.

Why it helps your family

It ensures your wishes are clearly documented, so your family are not left guessing about music, readings, rituals or whether you prefer burial or cremation.

Making these decisions ahead of time can reduce disagreements or uncertainty among family members and gives them comfort that they are honouring what you wanted.

Thoughtful decisions

Planning ahead gives you time to consider important questions such as where the service will be held, who will officiate and whether you would like live streaming, photo presentations or special symbols included.

Instead of having to make many choices in a short period of grief, your family can focus on being together and remembering you.

What you can decide on in advance

You can record details with any of the friendly staff at Harbour City Funeral Home in a pre-planning meeting. Details that you may wish to record include:

• Venue
• Casket style
• Flowers (colours or favourite flowers)
• Music
• Who might speak
• Pallbearers
• Whether the service is private or open to the public
• Burial or cremation (and how ashes will be handled if cremation)

Pre-planning meeting and payment options

A pre-planning meeting can take place at one of Harbour City Funeral Home branches in Wellington, Kāpiti or Hutt Valley locations, or in your own home if that is more comfortable.

If you wish, you can also explore a pre-payment option with The Funeral Trust, helping to ensure costs are covered and easing the financial load for your family.

If you would like to talk about pre-planning your own funeral or tangihanga, please contact Harbour City Funeral Home to arrange a confidential, no-obligation conversation with one of the team.