A Bernard Ives Funerals arrangement officer will assist you in the comfort of your own home or a place more convenient for you.

Simply phone your nearest Bernard Ives Funerals branch and ask them to advise you. Our staff are compassionate and are there to support you in doing the arrangements and paperwork. They will arrange to collect your loved one/friend and assist you with the funeral arrangements in the comfort of your own home or a place of your choice.

The cost of a funeral depends on the type of service chosen, either at a Church, at the Graveside or Crematorium Chapel. We work with all cemeteries and crematoriums, but prices do vary, and are available on request. A cremation service is often less expensive than burial, primarily due to the cost of the burial site, and costs vary, depending on your needs. The arranging staff at Bernard Ives Funerals can guide you through the planning process, explaining the services available and the costs involved. The staff can meet you at a place convenient for you to discuss the details or you may wish to discuss the details in the comfort of your own home, whichever you find more convenient.

Let me give you a straightforward answer! At Bernard Ives Funerals you pay a fair and realistic price for a quality, professional service. Our service to you includes caring for the mortal remains. The burden of having to cope with the relatively complicated process of laying a person to rest at a time of intense grief and shock, is removed and shouldered by others who are skilled in these matters. This makes it possible for you to go through the mourning process without additional worries such as buying a grave, getting cremation certification and so on. At a reputable company such as Bernard Ives Funerals, customers are only billed for the goods and services they have chosen in accordance with the high ethical standards enshrined in our code of business practice. Peace of mind is included but we don’t charge for it!

The cost of a funeral depends on the type of service chosen, either at a Church, at the Graveside, at a Crematorium Chapel or no funeral service (cremation only). We work with all cemeteries and crematoriums, but prices do vary, and are available on request. A cremation service is often less expensive than burial, primarily due to the cost of the burial site, and costs vary, depending on your needs. The arranging staff at Bernard Ives Funerals can guide you through the planning process, explaining the services available and the costs involved. The staff can meet you at a place convenient for you to discuss the details or you may wish to discuss the details in the comfort of your own home, whichever you find more convenient.

A viewing is a special opportunity to say goodbye and spend time with your loved one. Ideally the viewing takes place a day or so before the funeral. When there has been some suffering, it can be comforting to see your loved one at peace and rest. A viewing provides a last opportunity for family and friends to express thoughts, feelings and maybe to place a card, letter, photo, small keepsake or memento inside the coffin. Having a viewing satisfies the need to see someone one more time. In case of a sudden or traumatic death the viewing confirms there has been no mistake it has happened. May be the beginning of acceptance; painful as it is but vital for the healing to start. Often the immediate family may not feel the need for a viewing but consider the needs of other relatives and friends and allow them that opportunity. 

It is sometimes thought that the sooner the funeral is held, the sooner life may return to some sort of normality. But taking time to consider your options and ensuring that suitable decisions are taken, can actually help in the healing process; a few days interval before the actual funeral can be helpful as there is a lot to do.

It is your choice as to who should lead the service – a member of clergy, a celebrant, family member or friend. We can consult with your chosen clergy or celebrant or introduce you to one who can assist and support you through the service. Please refer to our “support services link”.

Past James Nicolson 072-622-2807.

This is a matter of individual choice. Some loved ones are buried in their pajamas, casual clothes or nighties, while soldiers are usually buried in their uniforms. It is up to the family. 

The person who arranges the funeral will make sure all the necessary documentation is swiftly attended to. Every effort is made to register the death and hand the next of kin the Death Certificate without delay.

The bar coded Identity Document (book or card) of the deceased and the informant. Bernard Ives Funerals will assist with the rest of the documentation in order to complete the process.

This is called an unnatural death and the police take custody of the deceased and a post mortem is done. A family member must identify the body at the government mortuary.

The name and cause of death, and the address where the death occurred and the name and telephone number of the person making the call.

The deceased is taken directly to our mortuary where the body is washed and cleaned and then wrapped in a shroud and placed in the cool room until it is time for the coffining.

Funeral services provide a great benefit to the people left behind.  It is a way of honouring a person and showing our respect. The way in which we do that is both individual and personal. There is no “normal” funeral service, only that which is appropriate for your family and friends. You are forever separated from that person and our primary concern is the funeral arrangements we make are appropriate for you and them.   Families and friends come together to remember the deceased and celebrate their life. Funeral services are also family reunions where memories are shared, comfort is given and the grieving can begin the road to adjusting to a new life without the deceased. 

The Eulogy is a very special funeral tradition that enables us to remember, respect and rejoice in the life of our loved one. The Eulogy is often the heart of the funeral, it makes people laugh, it makes people cry. It is where we pay tribute to our loved one, remembering their unique personality, their achievements and their greatest loves.

A eulogy might start with the speaker sharing a favourite memory of their time with your loved one and will then go on to weave a story of your loved one’s life. Many people choose a close family member or friend to write the eulogy, while others have us help them prepare it so a celebrant can do the delivery. This is a personal decision for your family and we are happy to help guide you based on your wishes.

• Your first step should be to collect the facts, such as age, family information including children and marriages, places lived, career information, etc.
• Think about the person you’re remembering. What stories come to mind? What kinds of stories or quotes capture their personality? It’s a great idea to talk with other friends and family, so their thoughts can be included as well.
• Eulogies can be serious, full of family history and humorous, with anecdotes remembered and shared. It is preferable to be brief, rather than too long.
• Most importantly, remember to be yourself and speak from the heart.

Definitely, they are a very important part of the funeral and your Arranger is experienced in the wide variety of options available. Flowers and plants can fill the air with their scent, fill the eye with beauty and help create a warm atmosphere at the funeral service for your loved one.

The flowers you choose might reflect your loved one’s favourite blooms, be of a special colour, or have a special significance to your family. They are often placed throughout the church, with a special arrangement placed on top of the coffin. You may even like us to organise a gift of a small potted flower or plant for each mourner, so they can take it home to plant in their own garden. This helps to personalise the funeral service and a lovely way of helping people remember your loved one.