Making Arrangements

Deciding between burial and cremation is a very personal choice which is different for everyone. Here are some important things to consider about each option when making the choice for yourself or for a loved one who hasn’t made their wishes known:

Burial

Burial provides loved ones with a gravestone to visit for many years to come. Burial involves buying a burial plot, paying an interment fee (which covers the cost of digging the grave and maintaining it) and usually buying a memorial or headstone which can be personalised. Burial sites are strictly limited by law to official cemeteries or traditional burial grounds.

Cremation

Cremation provides greater flexibility when choosing a final resting place because there is no restriction to specific places of burial. Ashes can be buried in a cemetery or special memorial area, or they can be scattered somewhere the family or deceased thought appropriate, such as in a garden, at sea, or in a favourite place. Some people split the ashes between different places. A memorial or plaque is often chosen to provide the focal point for the family. You can have peace of mind that we will collect the cremated ashes which are then available for the family to collect, usually within 48 hours.

There are two other options available in New Zealand: burial at sea, and donating a body for medical science. If you have any questions or require any information about these options, please get in touch with us.

Whichever you decide, Osbornes Funeral Directors is here to make the arrangements for you and support you through the process.

We offer caskets and urns in a wide variety of materials, colours, patterns, and prices to suit all preferences and budgets. We also offer biodegradable options for those who are environmentally-conscious.

If you have any special ideas or queries, please let us know. Nothing is too much to ask for.