Burial or cremation

During your first contact with Te Awahou & Otaki Funeral Services  our funeral director will ask you whether the person who has died wished to be buried or or cremated. The choice – burial or cremation – determines which kind of medical certificate we are legally required to obtain.

Burial

Te Awahou and Otaki Funeral Services arranges all aspects of the burial process. Burials can take place in most cemeteries, either in an existing grave or a newly purchased plot. When a new plot is selected, we provide a temporary wooden cross as a grave marker.

Families may choose a single plot or a double‑depth plot, allowing for a future burial or the interment of ashes at a later date.

Cremation

Cremation is a widely chosen option in New Zealand. Te Awahou and Otaki Funeral can offer cremation services of a suitable setting and chapel facilities within or outside the region.

Ashes are generally available within 2–3 days following the cremation.

Direct Cremation

Direct cremation is an alternative to a traditional funeral service. It involves the transfer of the deceased into the care of Te Awahou Funeral Services, with no ceremony or family involvement prior to cremation. We manage all required documentation, arrange the cremation, and return the ashes to the family.