“Did Mum ever tell you what she wanted?”
Nobody answers.
Your brother isn’t sure.
Your sister remembers one conversation from years ago, but can’t remember exactly what was said.
Someone thinks Mum wanted to be cremated.
Someone else thinks she once talked about being buried.
And suddenly a family who is still trying to comprehend that Mum has passed away is expected to know how to arrange her funeral.
If this sounds familiar, there is something important to know:
You don’t need to have all the answers before contacting a funeral director.
What should we do first when no funeral has been planned?
For families in Devonport, Belmont, Bayswater, Takapuna, Milford and across Auckland’s North Shore, Rowley Funerals can guide you through what needs to happen and the decisions that can wait.
Rowley Funerals is based at 16 Anne Street, Devonport, and provides both burial and cremation arrangements, from full funeral services through to smaller, simpler farewells.
So the first step isn’t deciding everything.
It’s starting a conversation.
Start with what you do know
Your loved one may not have left written funeral instructions.
But you probably know far more about them than you realise.
Were they traditional?
Religious?
Private?
Social?
Did they love having everyone together?
Would they have hated being the centre of attention?
Did they have a connection to a particular church, club or part of the North Shore?
Would a large funeral have suited them, or would something intimate feel more natural?
Those answers begin to create a picture.
You’re not trying to design the “correct funeral”.
You’re trying to create a farewell that feels recognisable.
Burial or cremation?
This is often one of the biggest decisions when someone’s wishes aren’t known.
Rowley Funerals provides both burial and cremation options and can explain what each involves.
Don’t feel pressured to make the decision based on what other people normally do.
Instead, consider your loved one’s beliefs, previous conversations, family traditions and what feels consistent with the person you knew.
If you’re unsure, ask questions.
What happens with cremation?
What burial options are available?
Can we still have a full funeral if we choose cremation?
Can we have something small?
Understanding the choices can make the decision feel much less daunting.
Where should the funeral be held?
Again, there isn’t one answer.
Rowley Funerals can arrange services in its Anne Street chapel in Devonport, at local churches and other appropriate venues around the North Shore. Their own guidance lists possibilities including churches in Devonport and Takapuna, boating clubs and other North Shore funeral venues.
The useful question is:
Where would feel right for them and for the people coming to say goodbye?
What if our family disagrees?
This is common.
Grief doesn’t magically make families agree.
One person wants a traditional funeral.
Another thinks Dad would have wanted something simple.
Someone wants hymns.
Someone else says Dad never went to church.
Try to bring the conversation back to the person you’re arranging the funeral for.
Instead of:
“What do I want?”
ask:
“What do we know about them?”
Rowley describes its approach as being guided by families and their ideas rather than imposing a standard format.
That flexibility matters when a family is still finding its way towards a decision.
You don’t have to become a funeral expert overnight
There will be practical decisions.
Casket or coffin.
Flowers.
Music.
Celebrant or minister.
Service sheets.
Photographs.
Catering.
Transport.
Burial or cremation.
But those decisions don’t all need to live in your head at once.
Rowley Funerals can coordinate the wider arrangements, including catering, flowers, caskets and urns, printing, multimedia, transport and memorial options.
Your job is not to understand the funeral industry.
Your job is to remember the person you loved.
Their job is to help turn that into a farewell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides funeral services in Devonport?
Rowley Funerals is located at 16 Anne Street, Devonport, Auckland, and provides funeral and memorial services for families throughout Devonport and Auckland’s North Shore.
Which North Shore areas does Rowley Funerals serve?
Rowley identifies Devonport, Belmont, Bayswater, Takapuna and Milford among the North Shore communities it serves, along with surrounding suburbs.
Can Rowley Funerals arrange both burial and cremation?
Yes. Families can choose burial or cremation, and Rowley can explain and coordinate the arrangements involved.
What if we don’t know what type of funeral they wanted?
You can begin by discussing what you know about the person’s beliefs, personality and life. Rowley’s approach is flexible and guided by the family’s ideas.
Does a funeral have to be large?
No. Rowley offers both full funeral services and smaller Simple Farewell options.
Can Rowley help arrange flowers and catering?
Yes. Rowley can assist with flowers, catering and other elements of the funeral.
Can Rowley help with photographs and video tributes?
Yes. Printing, multimedia and visual tributes are among the services available.
How do we contact Rowley Funerals?
Rowley Funerals can be contacted on 09 445 9800 or at its funeral home at 16 Anne Street, Devonport, Auckland.