” We believe death shouldn’t be a taboo subject, but recognised as life’s final chapter, one that deserves thought, care, and planning”.
Steve Shaw, Branch Manager
Planning ahead isn’t about preparing for death.
It’s about protecting the people you love.
When someone dies, families are often navigating shock, grief, and decisions they’ve never had to make before. Having a plan removes uncertainty. It gives clarity. It gives confidence.
But more than that, it gives direction.
It allows your family to say, “This is what they wanted.”
And that certainty becomes a comfort.
Pre-planning can include:
Your service preferences
Music and readings
Burial or cremation wishes
Financial arrangements
Personal messages or legacy notes
It is one of the most practical and loving conversations you can have.
Over the years that we have been working with families, we have seen how helpful pre-planning a funeral can be for everyone involved. We think of preplanning as a gift of love for families because it means you are helping them reduce the stress of trying to think of doing what is right at a time when they are feeling the immediacy of your passing.
As well as helping your family by compiling information that is legally required for a Death Certificate, pre-planning enables you to record what really matters for you, how you wish to be remembered, what sort of event you wish for to mark your passing. You can be as detailed as you like – right down to the clothes you wish to be dressed in, the flowers you would like and the possible venue for your life celebration. You can make decisions around burial or cremation, caskets and urns and we encourage you to make these arrangements in consultation with your loved ones so they understand your why.
We have seen many families and individuals approach pre-planning and arrangement with a sense of nervousness, but then, found themselves enjoying the process as they make decisions on how they wish their life is celebrated. Often it can bring families closer together and can create an increased sense of peace knowing that wishes and needs will be met.
See some of our case studies here for ideas on how a life can be celebrated.
Call 06 878 5149 to make an appointment.
When the day eventually comes, sadly, a timer begins to tick. Funerals tend to be turned around in less than a week, so as well as having to deal with the immediate weight of loosing a loved one, quick decisions need to be made about everything from venues to cars and flowers, readings, photos and eulogies – all in a short period of time. Planning your own funeral means you could have years to make these decisions, instead of leaving it to someone who likely isn’t in the best frame of mind to decide what you might have wanted.
Planning your own funeral with Tong & Peryer Funeral Directors means you’ll be getting access to trained professionals with extensive experience of arranging funerals. Whether it’s questions about the processes involved with funerals or finding out what needs to be done when, our family care team will always be able to answer yours or your families questions when needed.
First, check out our preplanning checklist to help you consider all your possibilities. Then you can contact us and schedule a time to meet with our staff to discuss your options and make a plan. If your feeling really brave, you can even start your plan here: Preplan Online
Understanding death can bring clarity and peace of mind.
Our Death Experience workshops are designed to inform, reassure, and create space for thoughtful conversation — long before decisions need to be made.