http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz en-us Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:44:01 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/148039/beyond-the-casket/ Dean Weber  Funeral Director – Serving Families for Over 30 Years“A funeral isn’t about closure. It’s about connection.”After thirty years in funeral service — from urban mid-America to rural, multicultural New Zealand — I’ve learned that every life is unique, and so every farewell should be too.As funeral directors, our purpose is to guide people through one of life’s most difficult experiences with grace, care, and creativity. It’s not just about tradition. It’s not ... Fri, 04 Jul 2025 10:27:27 +1200 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post148039 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/141884/resilient-grieving/ Losing someone we love is an experience that touches us all. The pain of grief can feel overwhelming, leaving us lost and unsure of how to navigate the difficult journey ahead. At Gateway Funeral Services, we walk alongside families through these challenging times, offering support and guidance. We understand that grief is a deeply personal process, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. That's why we're always seeking resources that can offer comfort and practical strategies for ... Fri, 14 Feb 2025 11:14:54 +1300 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post141884 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/140287/december-funeral-care-magazine/ In the December issue of Funeralcare magazine our funeral director Larni Hepi shared his experience at the tangi of Māori King Kingi Tuheitia, and Bradley reviews the podcasts that keep him entertained. Check it out here:... Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:20:32 +1300 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post140287 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/140261/how-to-help-when-words-arent-enough/ Most of us have been in the difficult position of wanting to comfort someone but not being quite sure how to approach the conversation. Do you address it directly? Or wait for them to mention it? Do you ask questions? Or try to talk about lighter, easier topics instead of reminding them of their loss?When it comes to grief, words often fall short. Grief is deeply personal, and finding the right words to offer comfort without adding to their pain often feels overwhelming. But the truth is, you do... Thu, 09 Jan 2025 12:31:23 +1300 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post140261 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/137282/death-positivity/ This week we met with Hospice EBOP. On the agenda was Death Positivity and the synergy of how Hospice and Funeral Homes work together in a uniquely similar space.Here we've put-together some more information on the Death Positive Movement. The Death Positive movement is a growing cultural shift that encourages open, honest, and informed conversations about death and dying. By breaking down taboos and challenging societal norms, this movement aims to create a more compassionate and supportiv... Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:55:08 +1300 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post137282 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/137181/how-to-write-a-eulogy-for-your-mother/ Writing a eulogy for your mother is one of the most emotionally challenging tasks most of us will face. The passing of a loved one is difficult, but to try to put their life into words can leave the best of us speechless. While finding the right words can feel overwhelming, the process of writing a eulogy can be incredibly healing. Taking the time to reflect on the life of someone who meant the world to you, and to share her story with those who loved her, is a wonderful way to honour the w... Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post137181 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/137182/podcast-32-halloween/ Winter's Chill and Spooky Thrills! After a busy winter, your favourite duo, Brad and Dean are back to share their spooky takes on Halloween.Join us for laughter, chills, and a whole lot of fun!Listen here or wherever you listen to podcasts: https://celebrategoodlives.buzzsprout.com/... Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post137182 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/135956/how-to-write-a-funeral-notice/ Announcing a loved one’s passing to the world can feel like a mammoth responsibility. Grief can make the smallest tasks seem insurmountable, but despite that, you’re faced with a long list of “to-dos” while standing in the centre of a swirling storm. The good news is this task is a relatively straightforward one to cross off your list and one that we’re here to support you with. Here’s everything you need to know to write a death notice that is clear, concise and respectful.Star... Wed, 09 Oct 2024 20:55:20 +1300 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post135956 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/135407/catering-a-funeral/ While much of funeral planning is taken up by thoughts of the ceremony itself, what comes next is every bit as important. Planning the “after party” can feel unimportant when you’re deep in grief, but it can be an incredibly healing and connecting part of an otherwise difficult day.  We encourage our clients to spend time thinking about how they can incorporate a wake or “funeral reception” in a way that is true to their loved one, and one of the best ways to do this is throu... Tue, 01 Oct 2024 11:41:06 +1300 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post135407 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/128138/letter-to-the-beacon-editor/ We recently wrote to the Beacon Whakatane to address an article regarding a local funeral collective group. As professionals, we felt the need to clarify a few points. Read on for our response. Dear Editor,I write in response to the recent article in Wednesday's Beacon regarding the Funeral Guides Collective funding received by The Bay Trust. The article raised concerns about embalming, funeral costs, and the practices of local funeral directors. While some viewpoints expressed were concern... Wed, 08 May 2024 11:20:32 +1200 http://www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/#post128138