Kotuku Funerals

With sadness, I would like to let you know that I have been diagnosed with cancer. I'm currently spending much time with my family. The diagnosis has came out of the blue and we are all processing what's happening. In the meantime, there is some very professional funeral directors' and after life care professionals on board at Kotuku to help anyone who need us don't be afraid to give us a call, we are still available 24 hours, seven days. I don’t know whats going to happen next, but Kotuku is in good hands. Thank you all for the great support you've shown me in the past, I'm just going to ask if you can dig a little deeper and send your good thoughts this way, so we can get it out of our lives and get back to normal? Love you all. Leigh-Anne Fox - you can follow our family’s journey on The fabulous mrs fox page ❤️❤️❤️

A hand-crafted casket for a very special man, along with a gift of gratitude from family: The beautifully crafted casket was lovingly lined with work shirts!! What a comforting idea💙💙💙

From my family to yours ‘happy new year’. may the year ahead be gentle and kind to us all ❤️ Thankyou for your support in our little funeral home🙏 may 2023 burn a brighter light for us all🕯here’s your reminder to hug those you love 🤗

Thank you to all the families who came along to our Candle Lighting Memorial Service. A special occasion filled with love. Each candle glowed with hope as we remembered all those who died during the 2022 year.

Preparing a casket for the final journey of a loved one is something small We can do for a family lost in grief 🪷🙏

Some great advice for a Monday morning 💖

My grandmother said:

'Don't let your pans shine brighter than you do.
Don't take house cleaning so seriously.
Life is short, have fun!

Dust when you need to,
but also take time to paint a picture or write a poem,
take a walk or visit a friend.

Cook whatever you want, water your plants....
Take time off to drink a beer, swim at the beach (or pool),
climb mountains, play with dogs, listen to music, read books,
spend time with your friends
and enjoy life.

Dust off if you need to,
but life goes on outside.
You know this day will never come back.

'Dust off if you need to'
but remember that you are getting older
and many things you can do now
are not so easy to do in your old age.

And when you leave, since we all leave one day,
you will also become dust...

And no one will remember how many bills you paid,
not even your clean house, but they will remember your friendship,
your fun and what you teached them.'

~ Roos Vangheluwe

image | Opal Lee, by Elizabeth Lavin
https://www.southernliving.com/culture/opal-lee-grandmother-of-juneteenth?utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-share-article&utm_content=20210619

Gifts of comfort for those grieving🎁 We have been working hard to develop a care package that says a thousand words when someone dies. Our care packages wrap their recipients in love, gratitude, and hope. Filled with thought, warming teas, mood spray and wild flower seeds that ease the mind, while rose quartz and candles help heal the soul. Each box brings a little bit of peace when times are tough. Contact Kotuku to order your very special package in-time for Christmas. Let those you love, know they are loved💖✨

Yesterday we fare welled the beautiful Alexa from Elmslie House in Wanaka.✨ Alexa has spent 15 years caring for others in Wanaka and is now taking some time for herself and her family.💖 Thank you for the warm invitation to afternoon tea, the delicious chocolate creamed lamingtons🎂 and for your caring nature towards others. As mentioned yesterday...on many occasions... you will be missed.🌹

Even the hardiest old roses die. The strong winds in Cromwell killed my gorgeous rose last night😢 on the bright side I now have a champagne bucket full of yellow roses to greet me when I get home for the next few days 🥂💐🏵

So privileged to be part of the first group of funeral directors studying for their diploma. It’s been a long year so far but halfway there!! Onto safety in funeral and workshop practices.

What caring for the dead teaches about living Caring for the deceased gives funeral directors a real opportunity to appreciate each minute of each day. We are confronted with the truth that life is short, every time we go to work, and this allows us to make braver choices, not worry about the small things and leave beautiful memories behind. Wh...

There’s a special bond you create when as a funeral director you are called to work with the same family within weeks ❤️ may the years ahead be peaceful🕊and Thank you 💐😇😇

Have a read of our new blog!!

Welcome to Kotuku Funerals We have a beautiful culture within our business. The name Kotuku comes from the New Zealand native white heron known as the Kotuku by our Maori people. In Maori mythology the Kotuku is said to carry the soul of the deceased home to their ancestral land, wherever that may be. The Kotuku accompanies t...

Sarah and I were able to catch up today to discus cultural safety and funeral directing. Fascinating banter and great coffee made a good morning fabulous. ☕️⚰️💐👼

As the world collectively grieves our Queen, may she Rest In Peace. An inspiration to many. A woman who showed great leadership, loyalty, commitment.
May the kotuku guide her home. ✨
1926-2022

I was recently interviewed by Claire O’Berry for her Dying Your Way podcast, where we talked about the alternatives to traditional funerals that are meaningful and environment-friendly as part of end-of-life planning in Maori Style.

During the interview, I thought to myself: "This is an amazing conversation and it would be extremely useful information to share with the people I care about the most - my family, friends, the members of my community and to all the people out there."

So, I’m sharing it with you.

The episode is already LIVE.
• Watch on Dying Your Way website: https://bit.ly/dywpodcast-leighannefox
• Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IZx1EYSXvUU
• Listen on Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3xsGW4f

‎Dying Your Way: Dying Your Way - Interview With Leigh-Anne Fox - Alternatives to Traditional Funerals as Part of End of Life Planning - Maori Style on Apple Podcasts ‎Show Dying Your Way, Ep Dying Your Way - Interview With Leigh-Anne Fox - Alternatives to Traditional Funerals as Part of End of Life Planning - Maori Style - Sep 5, 2022

https://eurekafilms.co.nz/shaun-fahey-funeral-service
Please see the live stream link for the funeral of the late Mr Shaun Fahy. Shaun's funeral will be held on Tuesday 30 August 2022 at 1.30pm.

The Best Wedding Videographer in Auckland & Wellington NZ We will be gathering for a memorial service in honor of Shaun Fahey. To share some of our favorite memories, laugh & cry to remember a wonderful person who will be missed.

Please find the link for the late Mr Donald Cromb's Funeral Service here https://eurekafilms.co.nz/mr-donald-cromb-funeral-service
Donald's funeral will be held on Monday, 29 August at 1.30pm.

The Best Wedding Videographer in Auckland & Wellington NZ We will be gathering for a memorial service in honor of Donald Cromb. To share some of our favorite memories, laugh & cry to remember a wonderful person who will be missed.

Here’s to the next chapter🎉

Turning 50 this week has been a wonderful time spent with family and friends. To be able to be in a profession I love inspires me every day. ⚰️Thankyou for all being there and Thankyou to my husband Paul for the unconditional support, standing by me as I carved a new career, and for keeping the home fires burning.🔥
Thankyou to the Cromwell community for getting behind me and making this journey an honor and privilege 🙏 Here’s to the next ten years with you all by my side!!

Check out this beautiful bespoke Kotuku Funerals sign gifted to us from Paul as an acknowledgment of our journey so far 💘✨

How beautiful are these caskets ❤️❤️❤️

Photos don't say what your other senses feel when you are around this casket. The 1st thing you want to do is touch the carving and feel its warmth. Then the smell wraps around you of pine and trees. Our caskets are made from the earth designed to go back to the earth.

These beautiful artisan hand-poured candles will soon be available at Kotuku!! Made locally by the fabulous Rachael Collins from Wild Seeds the candles bring light, hope and a gorgeous scent that lingers 🕯 Together we are working to bring you a grief care and comfort package perfect for gifting to those needing wrapped in love ❤️❤️❤️

Stillness brings you close …

😇 Very kind and thoughtful words through the post today. It's always a privilege to care for the deceased and their families. ❤ Thinking of others during periods of separation and loss is something extra special...Thank you🙌

Pre-order Fresh Flowers for Daffodil Day at https://daffodilday.org.nz/ by Friday August 5th to support the Cancer Society of Otago and Southland

Garden flowers are a stunning tribute to lost loved ones 🌼

Due to weather conditions and cancelled and delayed flights the late Mrs. Bernadette Sullivan's funeral service will be postponed by two hours, starting at 3pm. Apologies if this causes any disruptions.

SULLIVAN, Bernadette Maria- (nee Tourelle). Peacefully on Saturday, 16th July,2022 in Cromwell-Aged 93 years. A beautiful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Wife of the John for 53 years. Treasured and adored mother to Francis, Anne-Marie O’Donahue, Janiene Bayliss, Peter, Anthony, Michael, Rosemarie Penno, John, and Michelle. A cherished grandmother to Tim; Anita, Brigid, Matt, Francis, James; Rachael, Tamiko; Kiri, Remy; Katie, James; Kim, Megan, Grant, Phillip; and Michael. Great-grandmother to Conor, Isabella, Eli, Olli, Lucas, Te Maapi, Micah Henry, Levi, Ava, Benedict, Emilie, Katie, Harold, Tomas and Neziah. Sister of Jack and Reg Tourelle.
“A witty and fun-loving soul who lived with great dignity, unwavering love and grace”
Bernadette’s family wish to thank staff at Ripponburn Home and Hospital for their great care and compassion.
A Requiem Mass and funeral service will be held on Friday, 22nd July 2022 at 1.00 p.m., in Mary Immaculate and the Irish Martyr’s Catholic Church, Sligo Street, Cromwell. Messages to 13 Antrim Street, Cromwell, 9310 or email [email protected].

Cancer doesn’t stop, so we won’t either. Support Cancer Research

Regional funeral directors enjoyed the opportunity to learn about Muslim burial practices and after-life care from the Queenstown Muslim community last Friday. What an honor it was to be a part of this learning experience. Whitney from Central Otago Funerals, Paul from Affinity Funerals and I all enjoyed the opportunity to come together, learn much, share lunch and connect with the Muslim community and other key professionals in our regions. Thank you💙💙💙

Gift vouchers are becoming popular, a great gift for someone special xo

Keeping in mind a fingerprint pendant is not only a bereavement piece, they are also gifts of the living a child, a parent, a grandparent, grandchild 💙

Kotuku Funerals updated their phone number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xEXM0xYpgg&ab_channel=ABCNewsIn-deptha a small community revolutionizing how we deal with death. 💙💙💙

Inside the not-for-profit funeral home revolutionising how we deal with death | Australian Story Step inside the funeral home that’s transforming the way we do death. Subscribe: https://ab.co/3yqPOZ5Six years ago, with a group of community volunteers, Je...

A networking opportunity always goes down well mid-week. The Venus Businesswomen Network launch was a great way to stay warm on a cold afternoon, showcase Kotuku Funerals and mix & mingle with some great lass's. 💖💖💖

The Lowburn Church was a perfect place on a chilly winter morning to farewell a much-loved mother and sister 💐💐💐

❄️The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches❄️
-E.E. Miller