40 Years On
Things have changed!
In my 40 years, I have seen significant changes in how we approach funerals, but the importance of a meaningful farewell remains central to the grieving process.
When I began in February 1984, church-based funerals were the norm. Whether regular churchgoers or occasional attendees, 95%
of people had a church connection. The priest or minister typically arranged the service, while the funeral director handled the logistics, including embalming, casket preparation, and transportation.
By the turn of the millennium, celebrant-led funerals became more common. This shift resulted in bigger funeral home chapels, enhanced facilities, and staff expansions, including graphic designers to create personalised memorials.
Two decades later, just before Covid, we saw a rise in people opting for direct cremation with no formal funeral. The pandemic further fuelled this trend, as restrictions forced many to forgo gatherings.
However, this experience highlighted the need for proper goodbyes, leading to a resurgence in funerals and a larger number of Memorial Services post cremation, informal farewells – smaller, more intimate gatherings that allow for healing.
The “informal farewell” trend has also helped reduce funeral costs. While some families still opt for a larger memorial service post-cremation, many others prefer a small gathering at the crematorium, at a venue such as our Kapiti Crematorium in Valley Road, Paraparaumu, which now is used more frequently than our traditional funeral chapel.
Funeral homes like ours, with their own crematoriums and smaller chapels, are well-positioned to serve future needs.
For those interested in learning more about informal farewells, please visit our website
www.kapitifunerals.co.nz
