After a funeral, we’re delighted when we hear people say things like ‘she would have loved this’ or ‘that suited our dad down to a tee’ or ‘that was just what my sister would have wanted’.
This is one of the reasons why we don’t sell funeral packages. Every aspect of the funeral — from coffins to celebrants, flowers to vehicles — is tailored to suit what’s right for you.
“I think the starting point for every funeral should be the personality of the person who has died,” explains Steve, Branch Manager at Tong and Peryer funeral directors.
“Most people start by thinking about what a funeral ‘should’ be like and then try to make it suit their person. But try not to worry about making it like other funerals you’ve attended — first and foremost, it’s about the person.”
For us, every funeral is unique and deeply personal. The choices available are limitless and we ensure you are able to create a tailored funeral befitting your loved one . You can also be assured that you’ll receive uncomplicated explanations and open and honest answers in order for you to make informed choiced and decisions.
We are here to guide you through every stage, with uncompromising compassion. You are assigned one of our Funeral Directors who is with you through the entire journey. They are committed to delivering to our superior standards and we promise to provide unequalled support, reassurance and attention to detail when arranging a funeral or memorial.
Every person is unique and a Funeral can be designed to celebrate your loved one’s life story. You will have the flexibility to choose a specific type of funeral; whether you wish to arrange a traditional funeral service or would prefer something a little bit different. There are lots of choices you can make, from arranging unique funeral transport to deciding where the service will be held.
Your funeral director will guide you through every step, including liaising with the necessary third parties on your behalf. They will take on the responsibility for ensuring everything is perfectly organised to deliver a fitting tribute for your loved one.
To help friends and family through this difficult event, we put special emphasis on making the process of organising a funeral as simple and as transparent as possible. People feel like they need to rush things, but we dont agree. There is time to get things right but more importantly, this is your time to mourn the loss of someone dear.
Funeral arrangements are kept straightforward so there’s one less thing for you to worry about during this time of stress and mourning. Our role is to gently guide you to the right decisions, at the right time and endeavor not to overwhelm you with choice. We shoulder as much of the burden as necessary to ensure you get the appropriate space to start to understand and accept your loss. Some people prefer to be completely hands-off, whilst others actively engage – there’s no right or wrong.
After a funeral, we’re delighted when we hear people say things like ‘she would have loved this’ or ‘that suited our dad down to a tee’ or ‘that was just what my sister would have wanted’.
This is one of the reasons why we don’t sell funeral packages. Every aspect of the funeral — from coffins to celebrants, flowers to vehicles — is tailored to suit what’s right for you.
“I think the starting point for every funeral should be the personality of the person who has died,” explains Steve, Branch Manager at Tong and Peryer funeral directors.
“Most people start by thinking about what a funeral ‘should’ be like and then try to make it suit their person. But try not to worry about making it like other funerals you’ve attended — first and foremost, it’s about the person.”
For us, every funeral is unique and deeply personal. The choices available are limitless and we ensure you are able to create a tailored funeral befitting your loved one . You can also be assured that you’ll receive uncomplicated explanations and open and honest answers in order for you to make informed choiced and decisions.
We are here to guide you through every stage, with uncompromising compassion. You are assigned one of our Funeral Directors who is with you through the entire journey. They are committed to delivering to our superior standards and we promise to provide unequalled support, reassurance and attention to detail when arranging a funeral or memorial.
Every person is unique and a Funeral can be designed to celebrate your loved one’s life story. You will have the flexibility to choose a specific type of funeral; whether you wish to arrange a traditional funeral service or would prefer something a little bit different. There are lots of choices you can make, from arranging unique funeral transport to deciding where the service will be held.
Your funeral director will guide you through every step, including liaising with the necessary third parties on your behalf. They will take on the responsibility for ensuring everything is perfectly organised to deliver a fitting tribute for your loved one.
If you were closest to the person who has died, take your time—there’s no rush to inform others until you feel ready. Be kind to yourself.
Sharing the news can be emotionally exhausting. Don’t hesitate to ask a trusted friend or family member to help make calls. People are often willing to support you.
Notifying others through newspaper notices remains common, while social media allows for more personal content and wider reach.
When talking to children, be honest and open. They may surprise you with their resilience, and it’s okay not to have all the answers.
Also consider informing spiritual leaders, clubs, and business networks—they can help spread the word and offer support.
Funerals often feature grand floral displays—but they don’t have to. You might prefer using flowers or vegetables from your own garden, combining them with a florist’s work, or skipping flowers altogether.
Beautiful alternatives we’ve seen include origami blooms, personal items like fishing rods or knitting baskets, and even homegrown produce atop the coffin.
There’s no right or wrong—what matters is creating something that truly reflects the person and what they loved.
Many families also opt for donations in lieu of flowers. You can invite others to contribute via newspaper notices, the Tong & Peryer obituary page, or social media. Most charities offer easy online donation options.
Funerals are deeply personal, and we strive to reflect that in every detail—especially the order of service booklet.
Often handed out at the ceremony or sent to those who can’t attend, this booklet outlines the service and may include hymns, readings, poems, photos, or anything meaningful to you. Many families see it as a treasured keepsake.
To further personalise the space, you might add a memory table with photos, favourite quotes, a life timeline, or even creative touches like keepsake brooches or a selection of your loved one’s favourite cookbooks. Every detail helps tell their unique story.
Funeral ceremonies are often shaped by words and music—but the choice is entirely yours. We can suggest ideas, track down specific songs, and your celebrant can help craft something meaningful.
There are no rules when it comes to style. Choose recorded or live music, invite guests to sing, and include any poem, prayer, or reading that feels right.
Many families also incorporate photos or symbolic gestures—like tying ribbons to the coffin, sharing memories, or writing messages. These simple acts help everyone feel included and make the ceremony deeply personal and memorable.
The person leading the ceremony can be anyone—a religious leader, friend, family member, or professional celebrant. You can even make it a team effort.
If you’re seeking a celebrant, we can help you find someone who fits—whether that means shared beliefs, interests, or a style that suits the tone you want.
Celebrants also bring creative ideas to help personalise the service, making it a meaningful reflection of the person’s life.
Our role is to care for the living as much as for those who have died. We’re here to support you through your grief, whether your loved one rests at the funeral home or at home until the service.
Caring for someone after death was once a natural part of life. For some, helping to wash and dress their loved one brings comfort and meaning. Others may simply wish to spend quiet time with them.
Our peaceful family rooms can be personalised with photos, music, and cherished items to create a familiar space. Whether you want to be hands-on or just need a place to reflect, our doors are open as you honour your loved one in your own way.
We believe so strongly that everybody is unique and therefore so should their funerals, so we dont do any package offerings.
As much as we can, we like to personalise the service to reflect peoples cultures, personal values, interests, and careers.
We carried his casket on his green tractor to the tune Big Green Tractor. His casket sat on hay bales inside the woolshed (on the land his family had farmed for 3 generations) where the service and refreshments were carried out. Later, we went back with his ashes and held a memorial service on top of the highest point on the farm where we scattered his ashes also attended by his beloved dogs and horses as part of his celebration of life.
All her recipe books and articles that had been published were proudly displayed at the service and her guests were asked to take one at the end of the service to ensure her legacy continued. Close friends were invited to make one of her recipies to bring along for refreshments and her favourite fruit cake recipe was printed on her service sheet.
We turned St Lukes church into a gallery of sorts by displaying some of her paintings. We also used the artist’s self portrait, had it miniaturised into a service sheet and printed a poem that she had written on the reverse side to hand out to those attending. Her casket had her paints, brushes and palette proudly displayed.
Everyone wore angel wings and were given bubbles to blow as we left the crematorium.
Whether at a favourite cafe or in her home, she was known for her elaborate afternoon tea parties. So, how fitting that we had her ‘afternoon tea service’ at Birdwoods with fine china, silver service tea sets and amazing finger food. Family and friends shared stories of her life and as an acomplished pianist, recordings of her music played quietly in the background.
A huge influencer of forestry in Hawkes Bay had all his lumbering equipment with him at his service. His trustee workboots held the flower arrangement and his casket spray was made of native foliage instead of traditional flowers.
He was happiest in his garden or out fishing. His casket spray was made of vegetables which included miniture fishing rods and guests were invited to bring produce from their gardens to place on his casket before the service.
He loved the beach. He travelled the world with his trusty surfboard and so his funeral at the beach was so fitting. Shells were placed on his casket at the end of the service and his friends and family sent floral offerings out to sea. His surfboard was cremated with him and his ashes spread at a special place at a Hawkes Bay beach a few months later where his friends took him for his final surf.
509 Queen Street West, St Leonards, Hastings 4122
06 878 5149
[email protected]
P O Box 967, St Leonards, Hastings 4156
Available: 24 hours, 7 days per week
Office hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm – Monday to Friday
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