Our Pre-planning Workshops are open to all

Death Experience Workshops

At Tong & Peryer, we believe that understanding death helps families feel more supported, informed, and at ease — both before and after loss.

The Death Experience workshops are a gentle opportunity to learn what really happens when someone dies, to ask the questions people often don’t know how to ask, and to better understand the choices available when saying goodbye.

Led by experienced funeral directors, these workshops offer honest insight into the practical and emotional aspects of death and funeral care, in a calm and welcoming environment. There is no pressure to share, no expectation to have answers — just space to listen, reflect, and learn.

Whether you’re planning ahead, supporting someone else, or simply curious, the Death Experience workshops are about openness, reassurance, and helping people feel more prepared for one of life’s most important moments.

Current Workshops

Workshop 1 – ‘Behind the Veil’

A gentle introduction to what happens when someone dies -practical steps, funeral care, and common questions explained clearly and calmly.

Workshop 2 – ‘Meeting Your Own Mortality’

Explore personal values, funeral wishes, and what a meaningful farewell could look like — with time to reflect and no pressure to decide.

Workshop 3 – ‘Couples Edition’

A guided session for couples to explore wishes, values, and planning together — supporting open conversation and shared understanding.

Click a tab below to understand which workshop may suit you and your situation.

Workshop 1: The Death Experience – ‘Behind the Veil’

Workshop One is an introduction to death, dying, and funeral care.  The workshop is designed to gently explain what happens when someone dies and to answer the questions people often don’t know how to ask.

Led by experienced Tong & Peryer funeral directors, this session focuses on understanding the practical steps, the emotional journey, and the role of the funeral home and the funeral director in supporting families at one of the most significant times in their lives.

This workshop is suitable for anyone who wants to feel more informed, prepared, or simply curious.


What to Expect

In this workshop, we will cover:

  • What happens when someone dies, including the first steps and what families can expect in the hours and days that follow

  • The role of the funeral director, and how we care for both the person who has died and those left behind

  • Funeral options explained simply, including burial, cremation, and personalisation

  • Common questions and misconceptions, addressed openly and respectfully

  • Time to reflect and ask questions, with no pressure to speak or share

The session is delivered in a calm, supportive environment, with space to listen, reflect, and take in information at your own pace. There is no expectation to participate beyond what feels comfortable for you.

Workshop One is about clarity, reassurance, and understanding — helping people feel more at ease with conversations about death and better prepared for the moments when they matter most.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, complete the form below and one of the team will be in touch:

The next ‘Behind The Veil’ workshop is scheduled for:

 

Wednesday 4th March, 2026 at 6pm.

 
Held at Crestwood Chapel – 615 Heretaunga Street East, Parkvale, Hastings 4120

 

 

$45.00 per seat

Payment must be made up front to reserve a seat.

 

Workshop 2: The Death Experience – ‘Meeting Your Own Mortality’

Workshop Two invites participants to look beyond the practicalities of death and explore what a meaningful farewell looks like on a personal level.

This session focuses on reflection, choice, and conversation, helping people think about what matters most to them, how they wish to be remembered, and how their values can be reflected in a farewell.

Guided by Tong & Peryer funeral directors, Workshop Two creates a safe, respectful space to consider these ideas without pressure or expectation. There is no requirement to make decisions or share personal details, simply the opportunity to reflect and gain clarity.


What to Expect

In Workshop Two, you can expect:

  • Gentle guided reflection around life, values, and legacy

  • Discussion about personal wishes, including funeral preferences and meaningful details

  • Exploration of modern farewell options, from traditional services to more personalised or contemporary approaches

  • Simple reflective activities, such as writing or quiet contemplation, which you may take part in or observe

  • Open conversation, with time for questions and shared insight

This workshop is calm, thoughtful, and life-affirming. Many people leave feeling clearer about their own wishes, more confident starting conversations with loved ones, and reassured that there is no single “right way” to say goodbye.

Workshop Two is about meaning, intention, and creating farewells that truly reflect the person being remembered.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, complete the form below and one of the team will be in touch:

The next ‘Meeting Your Own Mortality’ workshop is scheduled for:

 

To Be Confirmed.

 
Held at Crestwood Chapel – 615 Heretaunga Street East, Parkvale, Hastings 4120

 

 

$80.00 per seat

Payment must be made up front to reserve a seat.

 

Workshop 3: The Death Experience – ‘The Couples Edition’

Workshop Three is designed specifically for couples who want to have open, thoughtful conversations about death, wishes, and planning – together.

This session recognises that end-of-life decisions are rarely made alone. For many people, these conversations involve partners, shared values, and sometimes differing perspectives. The Couples Edition creates a safe, guided space to talk, listen, and plan in a way that feels supportive and manageable.

Led by Tong & Peryer funeral directors, this workshop helps couples feel more aligned, informed, and reassured, without pressure to make decisions on the day.


What to Expect

In the Couples Edition, you can expect:

  • Guided conversations for couples, helping you explore wishes and preferences together

  • Discussion around shared and individual values, acknowledging that partners may want different things

  • Clear information about practical planning, including documenting wishes and communicating them to family

  • Gentle prompts and exercises designed to support meaningful discussion between partners

  • A calm, private environment, where conversations happen at your own pace

  • Practical take-home tools to continue discussions at home

This workshop is not about confronting mortality or making final decisions. It is about clarity, communication, and ensuring that both partners feel heard and understood.

Workshop Three – Couples Edition offers couples the opportunity to plan with care, reduce future uncertainty, and approach an important part of life together.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, complete the form below and one of the team will be in touch:

The next ‘Couples Edition’ workshop is scheduled for:

 

To Be Confirmed.

 
Held at Crestwood Chapel – 615 Heretaunga Street East, Parkvale, Hastings 4120

 

 

$95.00 per seat

Payment must be made up front to reserve a seat.