Deciding what the right funeral for your loved one is can be challenging. But at Hardings, our team is here to guide and help you make the right decisions for you and your family every step of the way. We offer a full range of services to suit all budgets, and this is done in consultation and in person so that you can feel confident in the choices you have made.
Every funeral invoice from Hardings Funerals is individualised. It will include our professional fee, and any goods purchased from us. The professional fee is reflective of the services a family has used, so it is a good idea to talk to your funeral director about the style of event you wish to plan to get a basic idea of costs. Alternatively, you may like to look at the scenarios that we have here on this page, and see if one will fit around the ideas you have and this may give you a loose indication of costs. As always, you are welcome to call us at the office 06 278 8633 to discuss costs at any time.
Every funeral invoice from Hardings Funerals is individualised. It will include our professional fee, and any goods purchased from us. The professional fee is reflective of the services a family has used, so it is a good idea to talk to your funeral director about the style of event you wish to plan to get a basic idea of costs. Alternatively, you may like to look at the scenarios that we have here on this page, and see if one will fit around the ideas you have and this may give you a loose indication of costs. As always, you are welcome to call us at the office 06 278 8633 to discuss costs at any time.
How to Navigate The Estimate Calculator:
How to Navigate The Estimate Calculator:
How to Navigate The Estimate Calculator:
Hardings Funerals have streamlined the process of costing a funeral to make it easier for you. Essentially funeral invoices are split into Professional Fees, Choices, and Disbursements. This means you have control over the expenses at the end of the funeral process.
Your Professional Fee will reflect the type of funeral you want;
Essential Service
Gentle Farewell
Memorial Service
Professional Funeral Fee
Cultural Needs Fee
Once you have your professional fee selected, the choices available for that service will made available.
Pick from the “Choices” selection for the items that can be supplied by Hardings Funerals
Pick from the “Disbursement” selection for the items that Hardings Funerals can source for you.
Please understand that mileage is not part of the estimate.
A total estimate can then be sent to your email for your reference.
It is important to note that disbursements are an approximation based on our experience dealing with local businesses.
Because disbursements are paid on your behalf, we will send the account to the indicated recipient that you specified within ten working days from the funeral. This is so you may be able to administer the estate without delay.
The due date for payment will be four weeks from the day the funeral invoice is sent.
An account finance charge is payable after the four weeks, but if you are concerned in any way about payment please contact us as soon as you are able.
The due date for payment will be four weeks from the day the funeral invoice is sent.
An account finance charge is payable after the four weeks, but if you are concerned in any way about payment please contact us as soon as you are able.
Pricing Estimate
5 pricing examples
Below are five examples of what a funeral might look like and how your choices might vary the cost:
A Gentle Farewell, or Essential Service
A Gentle Farewell, or Essential Service
"When mum dies, we want no fuss, its just the family popping in to quietly say goodbye" was how the family said they wanted it.
So the Gentle Farewell was the professional fee chosen. The family had a quiet time with their mum at Hardings small chapel and then went to a family member's home for an afternoon tea they had prepared earlier.
Because the family had chosen the gentle farewell, and then chose to have a newspaper notice after the event, the funeral invoice that was sent out was 3,650.00.
Gentle Farewell: 3500.00 and a Newspaper notice estimated at 150.00.
So the Gentle Farewell was the professional fee chosen. The family had a quiet time with their mum at Hardings small chapel and then went to a family member's home for an afternoon tea they had prepared earlier.
Because the family had chosen the gentle farewell, and then chose to have a newspaper notice after the event, the funeral invoice that was sent out was 3,650.00.
Gentle Farewell: 3500.00 and a Newspaper notice estimated at 150.00.
A service in a church, or at Tairoa Lodge Chapel.
A service in a church, or at Tairoa Lodge Chapel.
The family chose the Professional Service Fee which covers embalming as well. 5990.00
They chose to have their event at Tairoa Lodge Chapel, with a Tararua casket. Service sheets, a memorial book and a photo presentation complemented the event. Because family were also overseas, a recording and live stream were organised for Hardings to do.
Hardings Funerals organised an independent celebrant to officiate the service and the family chose a large casket spray of bright coloured roses. Catering was a light, classic afternoon tea before leaving for the cemetery. A small grave marker was provided. The death certificate was ordered so that administration of the estate could continue.
They chose to have their event at Tairoa Lodge Chapel, with a Tararua casket. Service sheets, a memorial book and a photo presentation complemented the event. Because family were also overseas, a recording and live stream were organised for Hardings to do.
Hardings Funerals organised an independent celebrant to officiate the service and the family chose a large casket spray of bright coloured roses. Catering was a light, classic afternoon tea before leaving for the cemetery. A small grave marker was provided. The death certificate was ordered so that administration of the estate could continue.
A larger funeral in a sports club or similar venue on a Saturday
A larger funeral in a sports club or similar venue on a Saturday
The family want a funeral at the local club on a Saturday followed by a cremation. They chose to have their event on a Saturday for the ease of people attending. Choices included a High end casket, service sheets, a memorial book and a photo presentation which complemented the event. Because family were also overseas, a recording and live stream were organised for Hardings to do.
Hardings Funerals organised an independent celebrant to officiate the service and the family chose a large casket spray of bright coloured roses for on top of the coffin. Catering was a classic afternoon tea after the ceremony closed with the casket being taken to the hearse. The death certificate was ordered so that administration of the estate could continue.
Hardings Funerals organised an independent celebrant to officiate the service and the family chose a large casket spray of bright coloured roses for on top of the coffin. Catering was a classic afternoon tea after the ceremony closed with the casket being taken to the hearse. The death certificate was ordered so that administration of the estate could continue.
A funeral at their local marae
A funeral at their local marae
The family want to have their loved one embalmed and casketed, and taken to the marae where the funeral will be looked after privately. They selected the "cultural needs Fee" which means the costings were appropriate for this scenario.
Whanau have been caring for their loved one at home and Hardings transferred this person into their care that morning. All arrangements were done at the funeral home whilst aftercare for the deceased occurred.
Once family had assisted in dressing their loved one, a casket (Tararua Pine) was chosen and the whanau had a short karakia in Hardings Chapel before the journey to the Marae.
Once the whanau and the tupapaku were welcomed onto the marae and the lid taken off the casket, everything given another check over, the funeral director left back for the office.
Hardings took care of the death registration and were available for any queries the whanau had. They were also available for the provision of service sheets, memorial books and flowers should the family wish for those at extra cost.
Whanau have been caring for their loved one at home and Hardings transferred this person into their care that morning. All arrangements were done at the funeral home whilst aftercare for the deceased occurred.
Once family had assisted in dressing their loved one, a casket (Tararua Pine) was chosen and the whanau had a short karakia in Hardings Chapel before the journey to the Marae.
Once the whanau and the tupapaku were welcomed onto the marae and the lid taken off the casket, everything given another check over, the funeral director left back for the office.
Hardings took care of the death registration and were available for any queries the whanau had. They were also available for the provision of service sheets, memorial books and flowers should the family wish for those at extra cost.
Essential Care Service Terms and Conditions
Essential Care Service Terms and Conditions
The criteria associated with these two scenarios are that a transfer may happen after hours, but all arrangements and cremation will take place during working hours Monday to Friday and within 48 hours of the interview.
It is our hope as funeral directors and more importantly as caring professionals, that these families choose to remember this person’s life in some way. It might be as simple as a barbeque or afternoon tea at home, or even a few beers at this person’s local pub.
This is an essential service scenario that has been costed specifically. We gently remind people that to move outside of this scenario will make changes to the financial aspect of this arrangement.
It is our hope as funeral directors and more importantly as caring professionals, that these families choose to remember this person’s life in some way. It might be as simple as a barbeque or afternoon tea at home, or even a few beers at this person’s local pub.
This is an essential service scenario that has been costed specifically. We gently remind people that to move outside of this scenario will make changes to the financial aspect of this arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get assistance to pay the invoice?
Probate simply means the high court grants permission for the appointed executor to do his or her chosen duties – executing the will. Probate is the court's way of protecting citizens from fraudulent activity while looking after a will's beneficiaries. With probate granted, New Zealand law grants the executor of the will permission to control the distribution of the estate. Without probate, there is a risk of assets of the estate being misappropriated or abused.
How Does Probate Work?
If an executor decides the estate must go through probate, he/she must:
Complete an application for probate
Provide a copy of the last will and testament and a letter stating the following:
The executor knew he/she was the executor of the will and/or knew the deceased person
The executor believes to the greatest extent of his knowledge that the will he/she holds is the latest will
The executor must prove his/her identity
A statement that he/she will follow the deceased's wishes as described in the will
Once the application is received, the Court Registrar will determine the validity of the will and the executor's statements. If everything is valid, the court will grant probate, and the executor can move forward with the will.
How Does Probate Work?
If an executor decides the estate must go through probate, he/she must:
Complete an application for probate
Provide a copy of the last will and testament and a letter stating the following:
The executor knew he/she was the executor of the will and/or knew the deceased person
The executor believes to the greatest extent of his knowledge that the will he/she holds is the latest will
The executor must prove his/her identity
A statement that he/she will follow the deceased's wishes as described in the will
Once the application is received, the Court Registrar will determine the validity of the will and the executor's statements. If everything is valid, the court will grant probate, and the executor can move forward with the will.
WINZ may be able to assist in paying for some funeral expenses if the person who has died has little or no money to pay for the invoice. At present (2024), the maximum funeral grant is $2445.37. It can be used for costs such as a casket, embalming, compulsory fees such as burial or cremation costs.
ACC can assist with a funeral grant for an accidental death of up to $7,491.95 (2024) towards funeral and or memorial costs. This amount does change every year. There is extra help available for victims of homicide. Your funeral director at Hardings will assist you in filing the relevant paperwork to ACC for the grant.
While we pay these costs on your behalf, these fees vary around Taranaki. Please call your funeral director at Hardings for up to date and relevant information