Funeral Pricing Packages Christchurch & North Canterbury

Q: What are the payment terms?

We provide a clear, itemised account. Payment is usually due within 21 days of the funeral, unless other arrangements have been made. We’ll talk this through with you at the time of arranging.

Q: How do I pay if the estate is in probate?

If funds are tied up in probate, families usually pay the account directly and are later reimbursed from the estate. If this creates difficulty, talk to us — we can discuss options to ease the pressure.

Q: Are there extra costs I should be aware of?

Some costs are outside our control, such as cemetery or crematorium fees, flowers, newspaper notices, and catering. We’ll explain these clearly and give you estimates upfront so there are no surprises.

Q: How much does a cremation cost in Christchurch?

A cremation with service usually starts from $XX . A direct cremation (our Simple Cremation plan ) is a lower-cost option, starting from $XX . Exact costs depend on the choices you make.

Q: How much does a burial cost in Christchurch?

Burial costs include the service, casket, and cemetery fees, which vary by location. These typically start from $[price] . We’ll provide a full estimate before you make any decisions.

Q: Can I prepay for a funeral?

Yes. Prepaying can ease the financial load for your family and may help protect your pension. Up to $10,000 towards a funeral in prepaid funeral funds are excluded from asset testing for residential care subsidies in New Zealand. Learn more about prepayment & grants

Q: Is financial assistance available in New Zealand?

Yes. Depending on circumstances, you may be eligible for: Work and Income funeral grant (means-tested). ACC funeral grant (if death was the result of an accident). Veterans’ Affairs funeral support (for eligible veterans). We’ll guide you through what may apply.

1 Personalised Funeral The family chose a John Rhind Chapel for the funeral, allowing livestreaming for absent family members. P.O.A. (price on application)

The family have the option of holding the life celebration in our John Rhind Chapel on London Street, the John Rhind Harewood Chapel, or an offsite Venue(for example a Church) that best represents their loved one, their life, and their beliefs. Both John Rhind Chapels have built in livestreaming, this is especially important if you have family overseas that you want to share the celebration with. You can request a celebrant to lead the service, and a personalised service sheet and slideshow celebrating their loved one’s life, can be prepared. A casket can be selected from our wide range of options. The team at John Rhind will liaise with a florist on your behalf so that the casket will be adorned with their favourite flowers, and arrangements can be made for a newspaper notice to be inserted in the local paper, and a plan for refreshments for 80 guests was prepared. This is our most popular option as it gives families the flexibility and options to give their loved one the send-off that is fitting for them.

Professional Fees
Hearse Transfers
Doctors Fees
Mortuary Care
Casket (chosen by family)
Newspaper Notice
Venue Hire
Celebrant
Service Sheets (80)
Slideshow
Livestreaming
Floral Tribute
Memorial Book
Lounge Hire and Catering (80)
Cremation Fees
Registration of death and death certificate (Internal Affairs)

*pricing as of June 2025 and subject to change

P.O.A. (price on application)

2 Farewell Gathering The deceased was a private individual with a small circle of loved ones. From $9,883 incl gst

This gives families the option of a smaller, more intimate gathering with close family and friends within our funeral locations. This may be better suited for an individual who want a private farewell with just those close to them invited. Family may decide to personalise the gathering by bringing special items, for example flowers from the garden or knitting needles and wool. Following the gathering the family can organise their own get together at a local restaurant or significant place.

Professional Fees
Doctor’s Fees
Hearse Transfers
Mortuary Care
Viewing
Teak Casket
Time and Space for Family Farewell
Cremation fees
Registration of death and death certificate (Internal Affairs)

Optional extras:

Newspapers adverts
Memorial jewellery

*pricing as of June 2025 and subject to change

From $9,883 inc gst

3 Dignified Cremation The deceased preferred no formal funeral, yet the family wanted time to reflect on their loved one’s life. From $8,372 incl gst

Choosing not to hold a formal service, the family spent meaningful moments at the funeral home with their loved one. We ensured respectful care throughout, managing all legal aspects and proceeding with cremation using a simple casket, without additional services like obituaries, flowers, or memorial services.

Registration of death and death certificate (Internal Affairs)
Professional care and transfers
Simple casket
Embalming and viewing
Doctor’s fees
Cremation fees

Options extras:

Newspapers adverts
Memorial jewellery

*pricing as of June 2025 and subject to change

From $8,372 inc gst

4 Simple Cremation The deceased had expressed a wish for simplicity without burdening loved ones. From $5,395 incl gst

To honour this, the family opted for a straightforward cremation with no formal service. We ensured dignified care from the moment we received the deceased, handling all legal requirements such as medical records, cremation permits, and registration of death. The process included the use of a simple casket, with no viewing, obituary, flowers, or memorial service.

Professional Services
Doctor’s fees
Hearse Transfers
Basic Mortuary Care
Simple Casket
Cremation Fees
Registration of Death and Official Death Certificate (Internal Affairs)

*pricing as of June 2025 and subject to change

From $5,395 inc gst

Finance & support

We understand funerals can be an unexpected cost. We’ll explain payment options clearly and guide you towards support that may be available in New Zealand, including:

Work and Income funeral grant (means-tested).
Veterans’ Affairs funeral support (for eligible veterans).
Compassionate airfares (some airlines offer reduced fares for immediate travel).

We also offer prepayment plans if you’d like to prepare in advance.

FAQs about funeral costings in Christchurch

What is included in the professional service fee?

This covers the time, experience, and care of our team. It includes meeting with you and your family, guiding you through arrangements, handling all paperwork and legal requirements, liaising with clergy or celebrants, and coordinating with venues, florists, and cemeteries or crematoriums. It also covers the use of our facilities, staff on the day of the funeral, and ongoing support before, during, and after the service.

What are the payment terms?

How do I pay if the estate is in probate?

Are there extra costs I should be aware of?

How much does a cremation cost in Christchurch?

How much does a burial cost in Christchurch?

Why do funeral costs vary?

The biggest differences come down to the type of service, the casket chosen, and whether burial or cremation is selected. Cremation usually costs less than burial, as cemetery fees and a memorial stone are not required. Personal touches such as flowers, catering, livestreaming, or printed service sheets also affect the total cost. We’ll explain each option clearly, so you can make decisions that suit your family and budget.

Can I prepay for a funeral?

Is financial assistance available in New Zealand?

Prefer to talk it through?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please call us. Our funeral directors in Christchurch and Kaiapoi are always glad to answer questions or provide extra copies of brochures.

Christchurch (03) 379 9920

Kaiapoi (03) 327 7499