Embalming Services

The respectful and professional preparation of a deceased person, giving opportunity for family and friends to say their last goodbyes, remains at the core of our assumed duties as a funeral home

Home Funeral Services Embalming Services

Introduction

The opportunity for people to gather and spend time with their loved one prior to the funeral service, plays an important role in helping people to accept and move through their grief in a healthy way. The desire to see is the natural response to any traumatic event, and many of our grieving families have expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to say their last goodbyes in the privacy of our viewing room. Our mortuary services team are experienced embalmers and are passionate about the work they do. Their task is to arrest the various changes in a deceased's body condition that can occur quickly after death, and their goal is for the family viewing to be the best experience possible. We thank you for your permission to carry out the embalming procedures and we will always be mindful of any expressed wishes regarding your loved one's final appearance. A recent photo of your loved one is always very helpful. If you are concerned about whether embalming procedures are right for you or your loved one, or you would like further information about what is involved, please call us and ask to speak to someone from our funeral directing or mortuary services team.

Full Services Care

Mortuary Services Fees: $1325   (GST Incl.)

This option is the recommended procedure whenever family wish to provide for viewing of the deceased at the Funeral Home or in a family home environment, or whenever the deceased has been the subject of an Coronial Autopsy.

  • Preparation by embalming involves both external and internal procedures, and it is the most effective way of delaying or arresting natural changes to the deceased body’s condition.
  • A dilute solution of preservative products is circulated around the internal body tissue, and results in improved colour, appearance and tissue texture of the deceased person.
  • The skilled embalmer will also improve the appearance of the facial features – often a recent photograph is provided by the family to help the embalmer with this task.
  • On completion of the technical process, the body is thoroughly washed, and dressed – clothing is usually provided by the family
  • Over the next few days, some minor attendances only may be necessary to maintain the good condition.

Natural Products Care

Mortuary Services Fees: $1050  (GST Incl.)

This option may be preferred by a family whenever the use of preservative products is declined. Naturally occurring products contained in pre-embalming solutions are used in this process. However, although the procedures for preparing the deceased are similar to those involving full services care, and the products used will generally retard the onset of natural changes, the end effect in terms of final appearance may be quite different, and more temporary in nature. Viewing of the deceased is generally only recommended within a Funeral Home, where changes in the deceased’s condition can be carefully monitored.

Traditional (Limited) Care

Mortuary Services Fees: $550 (GST Incl.)

Bioseal Containment Bag (if required): $350 (GST Incl.)

This is a non-embalming procedure that involves traditional cares of the body. These procedures will generally include:

  • Washing of the body and hair
  • Setting of facial features
  • Dressing of the deceased with clothing provided by the family.

Whenever this option is preferred, viewing of the deceased may be restricted to within the first 12 - 24 hours after the death. Your funeral director will advise you about what viewing arrangements may be possible.

Sometimes, due to changes in the condition of the body, we may need to place the deceased into an internationally approved Bioseal Containment Bag. In these circumstances, the body may be wrapped in cotton linen cloth and the clothing provided will be placed alongside or on top of the containment bag.

 

 

Further Notes

  • Preparation of a body may only commence once a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been completed, or the New Zealand Coroner has authorised the release of the body.
  • Usual procedures regarding our care of the deceased may sometimes be limited in certain circumstances of rapid decomposition, body trauma, death by infectious disease, or medical treatments by radioactive substances, and may require sealed containment procedures, and maintenance of body condition within a cool temperature environment.
  • Embalming procedures are a non-declinable option whenever repatriation of the body by public transport is being considered, for example public airways transport.