Deciding between
Burial or Cremation
Often the deceased has made their wishes known, but if not then it is up to the family to choose. Whatever your choice, Sibuns Funeral Directors & Advisors will be able to take care of the arrangements for you.
In New Zealand, there are four options available - read below.
BURIAL
In the past, this was the most common choice and is still favoured by many. It provides a family with a focal point, a grave to go to where they remember the person who has passed away. Burial involves buying a burial plot, paying an interment fee which covers the cost of digging the grave and usually buying a memorial or headstone. In almost all cases, the places people can be buried are limited by law to official cemeteries or Maori burial grounds.
BURIAL AT SEA
This requires a special casket, which we can provide. There are specially designated areas off the New Zealand coastline for burial at sea, which we can discuss with you and then help with the arrangements.
BODY, ORGAN OR TISSUE DONATION
If there is interest in the option of organ donation or leaving the body for medical science, arrangements need to be made prior to death. After death and without prior application the option for tissue donation (including cornea donation) is available. Sibuns Funeral Directors can provide information and discuss these options with you.
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.
The process of cremation involves placing the body within the casket into a cremator – a large metal box with room for only one casket. The cremation process takes approximately two to four hours. The ashes are removed from the cremator and placed in a pine container, about 26cm long and 15cm deep. You can have peace of mind that wee will collect the cremated ashes returning them to our care. They are then available for families to collect, usually within 48 hours. Sibuns Funeral Directors & Advisors have a range of attractive urns available for you to choose from.
For more information or advice please click here or phone Sibuns Funeral Directors & Advisors on (09) 5203119.
SOME OF THE SERVICES OFFERED BY SIBUNS INCLUDE:
- Cremations and Burials
- Fully qualified Funeral Directors & Embalmers
- Keepsake Cremation Jewellery
- Repatriation Services